Getting to Stewart Island
Travel to Stewart Island
You can travel to Stewart Island by plane from Invercargill or ferry from Bluff.
Road transport is available from Dunedin, Queenstown, Te Anau, Manapouri and Tuatapere.
Contact us if you wish would like us to book your travel to / from Stewart Island.
Day Trips
We recommend staying at least two nights in Stewart Island. If you have limited time, day trips are possible, but will limit what you can do.
Stewart Island Visitor Levy
Prices include a Visitor Levy of $2.50 p.p. each way for people over 18 years. This assists the Stewart Island community in providing infrastructure, services and amenities for visitors.
Travel to Stewart Island by Plane
Book a Flight Now (click here to make a booking).
Note: Currently the flight company will add a Fuel Surcharge of $10.00 p.p. one way whilst fuel prices are high.
| Airfares | To 30 Sep 2026 | 1 Oct 2026-30 Sep 2027 |
| NZ$ p.p. | NZ$ p.p. | |
| Adult Return | 274.00 | 284.00 |
| Adult One-Way | 158.00 | 163.00 |
| Child (4-14 yrs) Return | 175.00 | 185.00 |
| Child (4 - 14 yrs) One-way | 105.00 | 110.00 |
| Infant (under 4 years) | Free (on adult lap) | |
The flight timetable for travel between Invercargill and Stewart Island is shown below. Note additional flights at other times are operated if there is demand.
| Oct to Apr | May to Sep | Saturday & Sunday All year |
|||
| Depart Invercargill | Depart Stewart Island | Depart Invercargill | Depart Stewart Island | Depart Invercargill | Depart Stewart Island |
| 8.00 am | 8.30 am | 9.00 am | 9.30 am | 9.00 am | 9.30 am |
| 1.00 pm | 1.30 pm | 1.00 pm | 1.30 pm | 1.00 pm | 1.30 pm |
| 5.00 pm | 5.30 pm | 4.00 pm | 4.30 pm | 4.00 pm | 4.30 pm |
Flight duration: 20 minutes each way
Check in: 30 minutes before departure time at Stewart Island Flight's Desk, Invercargill Airport.
Shuttle buses / taxis are available from accommodation to Invercargill Airport. If you are driving, secure parking is available at Invercargill Airport and parking fees apply.
Luggage Allowance: 15 kg per person. Excess luggage can be stored free of charge at the Stewart Island Flights Office or may come in on later flights subject to space.
Stewart Island Airport / Airstrip: The small airstrip is located at the back of Oban Village. On your arrival, Stewart Island Flights will transfer you to their Depot in the centre of Oban.
Travel to Stewart Island by Ferry
Book the Ferry Now (click here to make a booking).
| May to Sept 2022 | ||
| Ferry | Coach | |
| NZ$ p.p. | ||
| Adult Return | 290.00 | 78.00 |
| Adult One-Way | 145.00 | 39.00 |
| Child (5 - 14 yrs) Return | 158.00 | 42.00 |
| Child (5 - 14 yrs) One-Way | 79.00 | 21.00 |
| Child (0 - 4 yrs) | Free | Free |
| Oct 2026 to Sep 2027 | ||
| Ferry | Coach | |
| NZ$ p.p. | ||
| Adult Return | 278.00 | 78.00 |
| Adult One-Way | 139.00 | 39.00 |
| Child (5 - 14 yrs) Return | 140.00 | 38.00 |
| Child (5- 14 yrs) One-Way | 70.00 | 19.00 |
| Child (0 - 4 yrs) | Free | Free |
The ferry timetable for travel between Bluff and Stewart Island is shown below.
| Month | Departs Bluff |
Departs Stewart Island |
| To 30 Sep 2026 | 9.45 am | 8.00 am |
| 4.30 pm | 3.00 pm | |
| 1 Oct 2026 to 30 April 2027 | 9.15 am | 7.30 am |
| 5.30 pm | 4.00 pm | |
| Additional Sailing - Peak Season 1 Dec 2026 to 31 Mar 2027 |
2.00 pm |
12.00 noon |
Sailing Time: 1 hour each way.
Bluff is half an hour drive south from Invercargill.
Check in: 30 minutes before departure time at the ferry terminal.
Coach is available between Invercargill and Bluff. If you are driving, secure parking facilities are available at the ferry terminal and parking fees apply.
Luggage Allowance: 1 carry on and 1 stowed. Excess baggage by prior arrangement.
Stewart Island Ferry Terminal: Is located in the centre of Oban and within 3 - 5 minutes walk from key amenities. The ferry service is operated by Stewart Island Experience.