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Weather in Stewart Island
New Zealand's dark-sky kiwi sanctuary at the very bottom
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About Stewart Island
Stewart Island floats at the very bottom of Aotearoa, a dark-sky sanctuary where kiwi birds call through beech forests and humpback whales migrate past golden beaches. Fewer than 400 people live here, and the stars shine with primordial clarity.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Stewart Island
Spot kiwi birds in their habitat
Hike the Rakiura Track
Kayak pristine bays
Fish for blue cod
Watch humpbacks migrate
Experience the Southern Lights
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
16C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
February
16C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
March
15C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
April
13C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
May
11C
Cool, with frequent heavy rain.
June
9C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
July
9C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
August
9C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
September
11C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
October
12C
Cool, with frequent heavy rain.
November
14C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
December
15C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
Stewart Island sits across the Foveaux Strait from the South Island's southern tip, a remote and largely roadless outpost where native bush runs down to empty beaches and kiwi can be spotted in the wild, even during daylight, far more reliably than almost anywhere else in New Zealand. The tiny settlement of Oban is the only town, and most of the island forms Rakiura National Park.
Best areas to stay in Stewart Island
Oban
The island's only town, with accommodation, a pub, general store and the ferry wharf at Halfmoon Bay.
Rakiura National Park
Covering most of the island, with walking tracks through native bush to remote beaches and bays.
Ulva Island
A predator-free island reserve a short water taxi ride from Oban, known for native birdlife.
Ackers Point
A short coastal walk from Oban with views over Foveaux Strait and a chance of seeing little blue penguins at dusk.
Getting to Stewart Island
✈
Flights
Fly into Invercargill, then take a short flight or the Bluff ferry to Stewart Island.
⏱
From London
~30-32 hours from London including connections and the onward ferry or flight.
🚕
Getting around
Oban itself is walkable; water taxis and guided tours reach Ulva Island and other parts of the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Stewart Island?
Summer (December-February) offers the most settled weather, though the island is visited year-round, often by those continuing south from Invercargill.
How do I get to Stewart Island?
A ferry runs from Bluff (near Invercargill) to Oban, taking about an hour, or a short flight connects Invercargill to the island's airstrip.
Can I really see kiwi in the wild here?
Yes — Stewart Island is one of the few places where kiwi are active during daylight as well as at night, and guided evening tours offer a good chance of sightings.
What is Rakiura National Park?
New Zealand's newest national park, covering around 85% of the island, with walking tracks including sections of the multi-day Rakiura Track.
Is there much infrastructure on the island?
Very little — Oban is the only settlement, with a handful of accommodation options, a general store and pub; most of the island has no roads.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Went on an evening kiwi-spotting tour and saw two wild kiwi foraging on the beach — completely different to the captive encounters elsewhere in New Zealand.
Greta P. · October 2023
★★★★★
Ulva Island was a birdwatcher's dream — saw saddlebacks and kaka up close on the short water taxi trip from Oban.
Mason K. · January 2024
★★★★☆
Oban is tiny but charming, and the sense of remoteness is real — felt like the edge of the world in the best way.
Freya C. · March 2024
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