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DAY 1: Arrive in Invercargill
Stay in the Victorian Railway Hotel In Invercargill. Pre track briefing and evening meal starts at 6pm. Rental cars and any excess luggage can be left at the hotel. Shuttles available from Queenstown and Te Anau.
DAY 2: Invercargill, Mason Bay
Walk 4 hours / 10km
Departure time changes with the tide ( literally ! ) Fly by light plane from Invercargill airport to Mason Bay passing Codfish Island, an important Kakapo sanctuary. Landing on Mason Bay beach we take some time to explore this isolated wonderland walking to the Mason Bay Hut, the one night where we “rough it” camping alongside the Mason Bay Hut.
This evening we will see if we can spot
one of the local residents, a kiwi. Stewart
Island Kiwi, or Tokoeka in Maori, are unique
in that they are sometimes seen during the
day so if you do miss out under the stars
there is always tomorrow!.
DAY 3: Mason Bay, Freshwater, Halfmoon Bay
Walk 4 hours / 14km
An easy ( flat ) walk across the Island
to Freshwater. Massive sand dunes, head high
tussock and Manuka trees house many native
birds, including kiwi's and robins.
At Freshwater Landing we meet the water
taxi for a half hour ride down Freshwater
River and across Paterson Inlet to Halfmoon
Bay. Tonight we stay in a classic Southland
"crib" or holiday home with power
and a shower! Dinner is generally fresh Salmon
caught that day.
DAY 4: Paterson Inlet, Ulva Island
Sea kayak 3 hours, walk 3 hours
Today we explore Paterson Inlet by sea kayak,
water taxi and foot.
In the morning ( this can alter depending
on the weather ) we take to the sea kayaks.
After a thorough briefing from our sea kayak
guide we paddle around the coastline, exploring
a few of the inner harbours with the chance
to see seals, shags and little blue penguins.
Then we visit Ulva Island, an open sanctuary
playing an important role in the conservation
of threatened species. Birds we may see include
the weka, kaka, kakariki, kukupa, mohua and
tieke.
This is our second night in Halfmoon Bay.
DAY 5: Halfmoon Bay, Invercargill
Time to explore Halfmoon Bay. Try one of
many short walks, visit a local craft gallery,
or just soak up the island ambience. In the
afternoon ( generally the 1:30pm flight )
we fly to Invercargill for the completion
of our journey. Many customers chose to stay
an extra night or two on Stewart Island or
back in Invercargill. |
