Southern Odyssey: Stewart Island & The Catlins
7 day small group South Island & Stewart Island tour
Invercargill has fascinating transport museums and Stewart Island/Rakiura and Ulva Island bird sanctuary are a nature lover’s playground. See the amazing natural wonders of the South and discover the Scottish heritage of Dunedin and its mainland albatross colony.
WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: Kaka on your balcony, fresh seafood at the South Sea Hotel, golden sand beaches and friendly locals are just a few of many reasons to fly over to Stewart Island. The Catlins coast is similar – untouched, raw beauty and a real sense of discovery.
Day 1
Fly to Queenstown - Mandeville - Gore - Invercargill
From Queenstown we head southwards to the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre at Mandeville Airfield. Most of the aircraft on display actually fly and are restored and maintained by the Croydon Aircraft Company. Tiger Moth flights are a specialty and you could take a quick spin as an optional extra.
At Hokonui Moonshine Museum in Gore our guide Jim Geddes tells stories of the prohibition days and we sample a dram of whisky. Jim also guides us through Eastern Southland Gallery before we continue to Invercargill.
- The Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre at Mandeville Airfield
- Meet Jim and sample the whisky at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum
- Invercargill - Ascot Park
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Accommodation
INVERCARGILL - ASCOT PARK
At Invercargill’s premier hotel, Ascot Park, relax in the indoor heated pool, enjoy a sauna or spa or stroll the beautiful gardens.
What we love about Ascot Park – A modern and comfortable place to stay. Experience southern hospitality at one of the several onsite bars.
Day 2
Invercargill sightseeing - Bluff - Stewart Island/Rakiura
It’s all about wheels at Invercargill’s two excellent museums – Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca. Burt Munro’s Indian Scout is also on display at E. Hayes & Sons, a classic old style hardware store in the centre of town. We check out the famous signpost at Bluff.
In the mid afternoon we take the 20-minute flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island/Rakiura. where we are met on arrival and transferred to the Bay Motel. We dine at the South Sea Hotel on the Oban waterfront.
- Classic cars, motorcycles and “the World’s fastest Indian”
- Take the scenic flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island/Rakiura
- Stewart Island - Bay Motel
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Accommodation
STEWART ISLAND - BAY MOTEL
There are lovely views of Half Moon Bay from this modern four star motel just above the town. There’s also the possibility a rare native bird, the Kaka, may land on your motel’s balcony.
What we love about the Bay Motel – Proximity to the surrounding bush and listening to the native birdlife makes staying at the Bay Motel a uniquely Stewart Island experience.
Day 3
Stewart Island/Rakiura Sightseeing - Ulva Island
Wake up to the sounds of bird calls – kaka and tui. We visit the intriguing Rakiura Museum then, with a local guide to tell the stories. we drive most of the Island’s 28km of road to Observation Rock, the surrounding beaches and the gateway to Rakiura National Park.
We cruise the sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet and land at Ulva Island, a world acclaimed open sanctuary. Wooden walkways take us into the heart of the island. Returning to Oban, we dine back at the South Sea Hotel.
- A local guide provides insights into the Island’s seafaring history
- Cruise the sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet and land at Ulva Island
- Stewart Island - Bay Motel
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Accommodation
STEWART ISLAND - BAY MOTEL
There are lovely views of Half Moon Bay from this modern four star motel just above the town. There’s also the possibility a rare native bird, the Kaka, may land on your motel’s balcony.
What we love about the Bay Motel – Proximity to the surrounding bush and listening to the native birdlife makes staying at the Bay Motel a uniquely Stewart Island experience.
Day 4
Stewart Island/Rakiura - Catlins - Kaka Point
We fly back to Invercargill this morning. Along the Catlins Coast we visit the lighthouse at Waipapa Point, the petrified forest at Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay where Hector dolphins play in the waves. This region’s history includes whaling and logging native forest yet today seals, penguins and bird life abound.
We lunch at sweet Niagara Cafe and have fun winding “rustic automata” at Blair Somerville’s creative Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai. We stay at Kaka Point and dine by the sea at the Point Café and Bar.
- Take in the beauty and abundant wildlife of the Catlins
- Visit the Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai
- Catlins - Nugget View Motel
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Accommodation
CATLINS - NUGGET VIEW MOTEL
This motel is in small coastal village in the Catlins situated in a private bush setting. It has wonderful sea views and sunrises, the song of bell birds and Nugget Point lighthouse and penguins are close by.
What we love about the Nugget View Motel – In an isolated but beautiful location stayng at the Nugget View Motel really allows us to get off the beaten track and explore this superb region in depth.
Day 5
Kaka Point - Otago Peninsula - Dunedin
We start our day with a visit to the stunning views at Nugget Point / Tokata Lighthouse before winding our way to Balclutha and along the coast to the Taieri River mouth and onto the Otago Peninsula.
We drive out to Taiaroa Head on the tip of peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Centre perched on the clifftops. This is the only mainland albatross colony in the world. Later we drive back down the peninsula and into the city to check into our inner city hotel. We dine in this evening.
- Nugget Point/Tokata Lighthouse
- The Royal Albatross Centre, the only mainland albatross colony in the world
- Dunedin - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
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Accommodation
DUNEDIN - SCENIC HOTEL SOUTHERN CROSS
Dunedin’s most prestigious hotel, the four star plus Southern Cross enjoys a premium location.
What we love about Scenic Hotel Southern Cross – This landmark building blends Dunedin’s charm and heritage with modern day comforts.
Day 6
Dunedin Sightseeing
We take a guided tour of historic Olveston House built in 1904 for a Dunedin merchant. We sightsee in and around Dunedin driving to Signal Hill to take in the views and stop at the bottom of Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world. We lunch in Port Chalmers at Carey’s Bay historic hotel.
Later we return to the city and visit the Discovery World Tropical Forest at the Otago Museum home to exotic butterflies, tropical plants and fish before returning to our hotel and dining in this evening.
- Visit historic Olveston House for a guided tour
- Visit Otago’s Discovery World Tropical Forest
- Dunedin - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
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Accommodation
DUNEDIN - SCENIC HOTEL SOUTHERN CROSS
Dunedin’s most prestigious hotel, the four star plus Southern Cross enjoys a premium location.
What we love about Scenic Hotel Southern Cross – This landmark building blends Dunedin’s charm and heritage with modern day comforts.
Day 7
Dunedin sightseeing - Larnach Castle and Gardens - Return flight
The drive out along the Peninsula provides great views of Dunedin Harbour. At Larnach Castle we stroll in the gardens and hear the chequered early history of this local landmark. We return to the inner city, where Robbie Burn’s statue takes pride of place in the Octagon.
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, a regional history museum, and the Warehouse Precinct are also on the itinerary. We lunch nearby and in the early afternoon transfer to Dunedin Airport in time for our onward flights.
- Visit Larnach Castle and Gardens
- Call into Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
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Next departures
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 04 Dec 2024 - 10 Dec 2024 | $4,590 (NZD) | Almost full Just 1 seat left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 13 Jan 2025 - 19 Jan 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 20 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Almost full JUST 4 SEATS LEFT! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 03 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
General inclusions
- All transport by comfortable, air conditioned coach (maximum of 18 travellers).
- Services of your knowledgeable MoaTours Kiwi guide.
- Quality accommodation chosen for a “sense of place”.
- Return airfares from Auckland (please ask us about flights from other airports)
All Meals Are Included
- All Breakfasts
- All Lunches
- All Dinners
Included Experiences
The following activities and attractions are all included in the price of your tour:
Included Sightseeing & Exploring
You’ll visit all the following spots on the tour.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.
| Tour Date | Price (from) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure Guaranteed 04 Dec 2024 - 10 Dec 2024 | $4,590 (NZD) | Almost full Just 1 seat left! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 13 Jan 2025 - 19 Jan 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Filling up | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 20 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Almost full JUST 4 SEATS LEFT! | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 03 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 17 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 03 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
Departure Guaranteed 16 Apr 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 | $4,590 (NZD) | Sorry it's full | Enquire |
