Discover Ulva Island and Stewart Island on our unique tours and enhance your experience! We specialise in guided nature walks. Our passionate nature guides will provide in-depth and interesting information about our native and endemic birds and plants, conservation, the location and Maori and European cultural history, including medicinal and edible plants. Enjoy some stunning scenery on our trips. 

Combine Tours

Combine tours to maximise your experience. For example we recommend:

  • Ulva Island Birds & Forest Guided Walk
    + any of the options listed below + with one of our Boat Cruises or Scenic Road Tours

  • Conservation Fund: We will donate $ 5.00 p.p. into the Ruggedy Range Conservation Fund for each person that takes part in at least 2 tours.  The monies will be used to support protection of our native wildlife and ecosystems from threats that include from the use of harmful pesticides / rodenticides. Thank you for your support.

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Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour

Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour

A must do trip - highly recommended. An in-depth tour on predator-free Ulva Island with our passionate and knowledgeable local guides. Wander through lush primeval rainforest, view native ferns, orchids and podocarp trees. Enjoy close encounters with rare and endangered birds, listen to exquisite birdsong. Walk on easy well-formed tracks and short beaches. Experience our exclusive walk to The Snuggery on full day tours. Some great photo opportunities of scenery, birds and flora.

Duration 4.5 or 8.5 hrs (or shorter 3.5 hrs)
Fitness Reasonable (3.5 or 4.5 hrs) to Good (8.5 hrs)
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Coastal Highlights

Coastal Highlights

A delightful day hike on the Rakiura Great Walk. Nature, coastal scenery, flora, birds and history. Cruise along Stewart Island’s northeast coast to Port William. Enjoy a guided walk through coastal rainforest in Rakiura National Park. Enjoy superb views, picturesque bays and golden beaches scattered with sea shells. We share our in-depth local knowledge of Stewart Island's natural and cultural history and show you some special places along the way. You can also hike the North Arm coastal stretch with lovely views across Paterson Inlet, rich in cultural history on an additional day.

Duration 8 hours or shorter 5.5 hours
Fitness Good
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Rakiura Great Walk

Rakiura Great Walk

Hike through coastal rainforest with picturesque views and beautiful beaches, along regenerating, inland native forest with towering podocarp trees, ferns, mosses and orchids. View historic relics of days gone by. Look out for native birds, even a Kiwi! Discover shell laden beaches. Stay in huts, carry only personal belongings. Guided by Ruggedy Range - the only locally owned and operated business offering overnight hikes on the Rakiura Great Walk. Enjoy our local, comprehensive knowledge of Stewart Island and the Rakiura Track to get the best possible experience.

Duration 3 days + 2 nights
Fitness Good
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Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting

Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting

Gain a true appreciation for New Zealand's national bird - the kiwi - its physical features and behaviour. Search as night falls for kiwi, listen out for their calls and other night sounds. Enjoy the spectacle of southern stars on clear nights. We offer an highly informative nature experience with a strong level of empathy and minimal disturbance of kiwi. Prior bookings essential.

Duration Approx. 3 hours (2 hours now available)
Fitness Reasonable
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Mason Bay - Freshwater River Hike / Walk

Mason Bay - Freshwater River Hike / Walk

Enjoy a thrilling scenic flight to Mason Bay beach with stunning coastal scenery. Trek past dunes, across tussock country, scrub and wetland to board your boat at Freshwater River, cruise this primeval river and across Paterson Inlet.

Duration Approx. 7 hours
Fitness Good
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Kiwi Journey

Kiwi Journey

Journey in the footsteps of kiwi at stunning Mason Bay and along the Freshwater Valley in search of kiwi and other endemic birds. Enjoy breathtaking scenery. High possibility of daytime kiwi. Experience a stay in a backcountry hut or camp. Cruise the primeval Freshwater River.

Duration 2 Days + 1 Night
Fitness Good
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Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

Experience the real wilderness of Stewart Island whilst search for kiwi. Fly to Mason Bay, overnight at hut or camp. Time to explore the stunning natural environment, dunes and beach. Hike the Freshwater Valley. Cruise the primeval Freshwater River. Variety of native birds, plants and orchids.

Duration 3 days + 2 nights
Fitness Good
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Trip Good for Birders Duration Fitness Adult NZD p.p. Child NZD p.p.
Ulva Island
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Half day - 4.5 hours 		Yes 4.5 hours * Reasonable $180 $130
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Half day - 3.5 hours 		Yes 3.5 hours Reasonable $170 $120
Ulva Island Birds & Forest Tour
Full day 		Yes 8.5 hours* Good $350 $250
Stewart Island
Coastal Highlights
Rakiura Track - Port William 		Some birds 1 day Good $390 $290
Coastal Highlights
Rakiura Track - North Arm 		Some birds 1 day Good $390 $290
Coastal Highlights
Abridged 		Some birds 5.5 hours Good $350 $250
Rakiura Great Walk Some 3 days + 2 nights Good $1800 $1575
Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting
2 hours 		Kiwi 2 hours Reasonable $145 $95
Evening Eco Watch / Kiwi Spotting
3 hours 		Kiwi Approx. 3 hours Reasonable $165 $110
Mason Bay - Freshwater River Wilderness Hike Yes 1 day Good $745 $530
Kiwi Journey
Boat in / out 		Kiwi + Other 2 days + 1 night Good $1210 $1060
Kiwi Journey
Fly in / boat out 		Kiwi + Other 2 days + 1 night Good $1420 $1150
Kiwi, Dunes & Beach Kiwi + Other 3 days + 2 nights Good $1930 $1585

* Ulva Island tours are of slightly shorter duration during the off-season. Refer to tour pages for timings.

PRICING INFORMATION

All prices include GST (good and services tax).
Child rates apply from 5 to 14 years of age.
Rates shown above are valid to June 2025.  Rates for July 2025 to June 2026 will be published in July 2025, or please enquire.