Trip Details

This is our most popular walk for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.  

Enjoy a guided walk with excellent commentary on the primeval rainforest, birds, and plants, Maori and European cultural history. View ancient podocarp trees, lush tree ferns, delicate ground ferns, mosses and orchids in season. Learn about the practical and medicinal uses of trees and plants. Enjoy some lovely photo opportunities along the way.

Stop often to view endemic and native birds at close range. You may hear kaka (native parrot) calling their liquid honey notes, interspersed with the bellbird's exquisite notes and the wonderfully varied calls of the tui. Watch lime-green parakeet flying amongst the treetops. Glimpse rare saddleback and yellowhead and try to spot New Zealand's smallest bird the rifleman. Occasionally a kiwi is seen wondering in the forest.

Our trips on Ulva Island are either 4.5 or 8.5 hours, shorter by arrangement. On full day tours we enjoy an exclusive walk to The Snuggery - a tranquil bay on the southeastern shore of Ulva Island. We spend more time on Ulva Island, take you further and show you more so you get the best out of your visit!

LOCATION

Learn more about Ulva Island.

Important: The Ulva Island jetty will be closed from July whilst a change in ownership and maintenance work is carried out. We will endeavour to offer trips with beach landings in suitable weather. 

BIRDS SEEN

More commonly seen birds include:

Land birds: South Island saddleback, yellowhead, Stewart Island robin, South Island rifleman, red-crowned parakeet, yellow-crowned parakeet, Stewart Island weka, South Island kaka, wood pigeon, brown creeper, tui, bellbird, South Island tomtit, fantail, grey warbler, morepork, kingfisher.

Shore birds: Stewart Island shag, spotted shag, pied shag, little shag, black-backed gull, red-billed gull, variable oystercatcher.

Sea birds: White-capped mollymawks, little blue penguins.

WILDLIFE SEEN

New Zealand sealion and fur seals may occasionally visit Ulva Island.

Flora

A variety of endemic podocarps (conifers), flowering trees, tree ferns, ground ferns, coastal shrubs, mosses and orchids are amongst a diverse range of flora than can be seen.

WEAR AND BRING

Day pack, raincoat, warm clothing, warm hat and gloves, water bottle, snack, camera and binoculars. Wear sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.

Special Offers

Please also see our Gift Vouchers & Special Offers page for combined tours that include our Ulva Island Birds & Forest guided walk.  

Testimonial

"...We are privileged to have spent the day on Ulva Island with a person who possesses a boundless knowledge of the island's flora & fauna. Thank you for all you shared with us, & opening our eyes to the amazing intricacies of Ulva. We loved the birds & views, & the gorgeous day!"

Bob & Martha Dowling - USA

Itinerary

  • What we do

    Meet your guide at Golden Bay Wharf, 10 minutes prior to our tour departure time.

    Embark our water taxi for Ulva Island, for an 8 - 10 minute boat ride, looking out for occasional seabirds. Arrive at Post Office Cove, Ulva Island to walk the Island's trails. We take a short 5 - 10 minute rest along the way before returning to our boat for the ride back to Golden Bay Wharf.

    Half day: From Post Office Cove, Ulva Island, we walk along well formed tracks, to Sydney Cove, West End Juntion, Boulder Beach and back to Post Office Bay. On some trips we visit Flagstaff Point.

    Full day: Walk the main trails (see above) in the morning, stopping for lunch and a rest at Sydney Cove. In the afternoon, we visit The Snuggery or remain on the main trails.

    Our route may vary on the day, based on client abilities, preferences and weather considerations.  

ULVA IMG 4389
Ruggedy Range™
Orchids on Ulva Island

Pricing & Info

Adult

Half day: NZ $180.00 per person
(A shorter option, approx. 3.5 hrs, subject to availability, $165.00 per person).

Full day: NZ $350.00 per person

Child

Half day: NZ $130.00 per child
(A shorter option, approx. 3.5 hrs, subject to availability, $115.00 per child).

Full day: NZ $250.00 per child

Includes

Guided walk, water taxi, Department of Conservation fees, admin costs.

Lunch

Full Day: NZ $25.00 per person (optional or bring your own).

Extra

Transfers to and/or from Golden Bay Wharf: NZ $10.00 one-way or NZ $20.00 return per person.

Binocular Hire (10 x 42): $20.00 per pair.

Min Persons

Half day: 4 persons   Full day: 6 persons

Important: 
a) Half day tours can operate for 2 or 3 persons with NZ $25.00 p.p. surcharge.
b) If your booking is for less than the minimum for either half or full day trip, check to see if we have achieved the minimum or, we can reserve spaces, whilst we await further bookings.

Max persons

8 to 12 persons

Duration

Half day: 4.5 hours  Full day: 8.5 hours
Shorter tour is 3.5 hours. See times below.

Distance

Half day: Approx. 3 – 5 km (1.8 – 3 miles)
Full day: Approx. 9 kms (5.5 miles)

Terrain

Half day: Well formed gravel tracks – easy walk with steps and short stretches of beach.
Full day: Morning - as above.  Afternoon - forest trail, some mud, tree roots.

Time - Half Day

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
8.30 am to 1.00 pm or 1.00 pm to 5.30 pm

Apr & Sept
8.30 am to 12.45 pm or 12.30 pm to 4.45 pm

May, Jun, July, Aug
9.00 am to 1.00 pm or 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm

Shorter Tour 3.5 hours - All year round
9.00 am to 12.30 pm or 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm

Important: During high or off-season, subject to prior booking, numbers and our availability, we may be able to operate tours to fit in with flight/ferry arrival and departures.

Time - Full Day

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
8.30 am to 5.00 pm

Apr & Sept
8.30 am to 4.30 pm

May, Jun, July, Aug
9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Important: During high or off-season, subject to prior booking and numbers, we can operate shorter tours or tours to fit in with flight/ferry arrival and departures.

Start/End

Golden Bay Wharf

Suitable for

Half day: Reasonable fitness   Full day: Good fitness

Departure Dates

Departs daily subject to demand.
Prior bookings recommended.