101925 - Bon Voyage - Stewart Island Plus - Flipbook - Page 4
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.
Day 6 : Friday 24 October 2025 - Port Adventure
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 Maori settlement who arrived from The
Neck in 1843. Here opportunities could include visiting the
Port Adventure Hunters Hut in the Northern Arm, Zodiac
cruising the coastline and the spectacular Heron River, along
with adventures ashore on foot.
Days 7 - 9: Saturday 25, Sunday 26 & Monday
27 October 2025 - Port Pegasus
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 over the following three days. 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. We will
spend our time exploring 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 twentieth century. The marine life
here abounds with Hooker’s/New Zealand Sea Lions and
Yellow-eyed Penguins regularly seen. For those who enjoy
fishing there will be ample opportunity to try your luck at
catching a meal for the table.
Day 4: Wednesday 22 October 2025 - Queenstown
– Stewart Island
Mid-morning we transfer to the airport where our charter
aircraft will be waiting at Air Milford’s base for our
spectacular flight from Queenstown. We stay below the
peaks right down Lake Wakatipu to Kingston then over the
saddle, the lush plains of Southland, Invercargill and
Foveaux Strait to the private Ryan’s Creek Aerodrome on
Stewart Island.
Once deplaned we are transferred to Oban village and the
South Sea Hotel where we have our traditional Blue Cod &
Chips pub lunch. After lunch we stroll down the wharf where
the Captain and Expedition Leader will be waiting to
welcome you aboard Heritage Explorer and show you to
your cabin as you settle into life aboard your home away
from home.
Day 5 : Thursday 23 October 2025 - Paterson Inlet
Awake refreshed this morning after your first night on
board 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 and
inlets, is studded with around 20 islands and its waters
frequently visited by Bottlenose Dolphins. During our time
4
