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)

Airfares Current 
  NZ$ p.p.
Adult Return 245.00
Adult One-Way 142.50
Child (4-14 yrs) Return 155.00
Child (4 - 14 yrs) One-way 95.00
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 220.00  64.00
Adult One-Way 110.00  32.00
Child (5 - 14 yrs) Return 110.00  32.00
Child (5 - 14 yrs) One-Way 55.00  16.00
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
1 Oct 2023 to 30 Sep 2024 9.45 am 8.00 am
1 Dec 2023 to 2 Apr 2024 1.45 pm 12.15 pm
1 Oct 2023 to 30 Apr 2024 5.15 pm 3.30 pm
1 May 2024 to 30 Sep 2024 4.30 pm 3.00 pm 

 

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.