Sunday, February 13, 2011 70 degrees 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
This is a maiden call at Oban, Stewart Island “land of glowing skies” (Aurora Australis). New Zealand’s southernmost community of 300 residents. General store, a hotel and café.The third and most southerly of New Zealand’s main islands. It is separated from the South Island by the 15 mile Foveaux Strait. Seals and penguins frequent the coast. This is the surest place to see a kiwi. The Stewart Island brown kiwi is the largest species of this kind of bird. Unlike their mainland cousins, these kiwis can be seen during the day as well as at night. This island is remote, raw and untouched.
Apart from the tiny township of Oban at Halfmoon Bay on Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island is practically uninhabited. Most of the 390 islanders live in or around Oban. Directly behind Oban’s waterfront is a short main street with a small collection of establishments. New Zealand’s newest national park Rakiura “The Isle of Glowing Skies” – walkers paradise. Stewart Island, also known as “the third island”, is one of New Zealand’s most remote destinations. 
One of the best places for bird-watching is Ulva Island. The rare birds that live here have no predators, so they have an excellent survival rate. Among the resident species are the weak, the saddleback, kaka (a parrot), and kiwi. The forest, which has walking paths is made up primarily of rimy, rata, and kamahi trees. We went on a 2 hour guided nature walk here. The island is managed by the Department of Conservation as an “open sanctuary” where native birds can be seen at close quarters.
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| 2 saddleback birds |
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| Because of size over 400 years old |
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| wild mushrooms |
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| Our ship's captain, Olav van der Waard |
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| Waiting for tender back to ship |
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