Stewart Island Experience

Home (October 7th)

If departing from Whanganui, meet at the Whanganui Racecourse for a 7:45am departure and travel to Palmerston North Airport to catch our 10am flight to Invercargill with a short tranzit in Christchurch.

Departing from another destination

For those departing from another destination we will arrange for you to meet the group in Invercargill or Christchurch depending on your location.

Invercargill (October 8th)

Please note this is a general guide only, all itineraries are subject to change based on weather conditions and crew judgment. In addition to below, there is also lots of cruising, and extra kayaking or walking where time allows! Plus chances to go and spot kiwi in the evenings!

On day 2, we meet for breakfast at the hotel before we get collected approx by coach and transferred to Invercargill Airport to fly over to Stewart Island. Lunch will be served on the vessel and you’ll have a chance to get familiar with your crew and settle into life on-board the mighty Heritage Explorer.

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Patersons Inlet (October 9th)

Wake refreshed this morning after your first night on Heritage Explorer and enjoy breakfast among the wide open spaces and serenity of Stewart Island’s primeval landscape. 

Today we plan to explore Paterson Inlet, its near 100-kilometre-square expanse features bush-clad bays, beaches, inlets and around 20 islands, while its waters are frequently visited by Bottlenose Dolphins. 

During our time here there will be opportunities to visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay, where from 1923 and 1933 the Ross Sea Whaling Company of Sandefjord, Norway ran a repair base where chaser boats were serviced in preparation for the Antarctic summer.

Walk one of the many forest trails and explore predator-free bird sanctuary Ulva Island with our knowledgeable guides and marvel at the variety of birdlife which flourishes here.

Lunch and Dinner will be onboard our vessel.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

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Port Adventure (October 10th)

Exploring southwards along the eastern coast of Stewart Island there are several well protected and important harbours for us to visit, with Port Adventure being the first of these we reach.

Popular for fishing, hunting and diving this bay once housed a small Māori settlement which arrived from The Neck in 1843. Here opportunities could include visiting the Port Adventure Hunters Hut in the North Arm, Zodiac cruising the coastline and the spectacular Heron River, along with adventures ashore on foot.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

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Port Pegasus (October 11th)

Sure to be one of the highlights of our voyage, we have three days to explore the remote, undisturbed beauty of Port Pegasus. Isolated at the southern end of the island, with access predominantly by sea, there is much to explore and experience among this undisturbed wilderness.

Boasting an expansive harbour laced with waterways, arms and channels, several waterfalls and three main islands – Pearl Island (the largest) in the north, Anchorage Island in the centre, and Noble Island in the south – provides an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Stewart Island.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

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Port Pegasus (Octoer 12th)

After breakfast we will spend our time exploring by Zodiac and kayak, venturing into hidden coves and landing on pristine white sand beaches where few have set foot before.

There are also a number of excellent walking options including exploring the granite domes to the west of Gog and Magog, or venturing onto the southern extension of the subalpine Tin Range, the eastern area of which would become the last refuge for Kākāpo in the second half of the 20th Century. The marine life here abounds with Hooker’s/New Zealand Sea Lions and Yellow-eyed Penguins/Hoiho regularly observed. For those who enjoy fishing there will be ample opportunity to try your luck at catching a meal for the table.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

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Port Pegasus (October 13th)

Another day is spent at Port Pegasus with more of the wonderful activities available, from fishing, to marine life observation, a great time to soak up the activities available, enjoy the Stewart Island experience.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

Lords Rive (October 14th)

Rise for breakfast and start returning northwards along the shores of Stewart Island’s east coast, Heritage Explorer ventures into the sheltered waters of Lords River. At 8-kilometres long it is the longest navigable river on Stewart Island. Considered one of the most spectacular and unspoilt areas of New Zealand and the country’s
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Amazon, a historic deed was signed in 1999 to protect the area’s 3,515 hecatres of virgin native forest. Here we will take the opportunity to enjoy a Zodiac safari up this fascinating winding estuary with its tannin-stained water reminiscent of Fiordland as it snakes its way to the ocean from the interior of Stewart Island.

Our final night on-board so we’ll be sure to raise a glass to a magical journey and enjoy another world class meal together.

Accommodation: Onboard Heritage Explorer

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Invercargill (October 15th)

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We rise for a hearty breakfast and then will be transferred to Stewart Island airport to Invercargill airport to catch our flight back to Palmerston North once again having a brief stop in Christchurch.

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