Join Richard Young (plus a local guide) for a four-day landscape and wildlife photography tour of Stewart Island. Stewart Island is a unique part of New Zealand, with beautiful beaches, untouched forest, and abundant wildlife. With an extra small group of only 6 photographers, it will be a unique chance to make the most of Richard’s knowledge and experience.

Exploring the coastline by boat gives us the chance to photograph some of New Zealand’s rare marine bird species, such as albatross, mollymawks, and petrels. The island’s forest is also home to many bush species; birds of note to look out for are the Stewart Island kiwi, Stewart Island weka, Stewart Island robin, yellowhead, rifleman, bellbird, and tomtit. Our time on Stewart Island will be spent exploring the forests, bays, and beaches these species call home. A boat trip to predator-free Ulva Island offers a unique wildlife experience, as the island boasts many of these bird species in abundance.

The tour starts and finishes in Invercargill; your flights to and from Stewart Island are included.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Boat trip to Ulva Island
• Boat trip around Paterson Inlet
• Amazing wildlife
  
  

INVERCARGILL / STEWART ISLAND

• Departs Invercargill 
• Stewart Island
• Ulva Island
  
  

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Invercargill - Stewart Island

After meeting in Invercargill this morning, we fly to Stewart Island. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the island from our comfortable base at Stewart Island Lodge in Oban.

Day 2 – Stewart Island

Today, we head out to Ulva island to photograph its abundant birdlife. If we are lucky, we will get the chance to see a kiwi in the wild this evening. This experience is not easy to come by on mainland New Zealand.

Day 3 – Stewart Island

This morning, we will explore Paterson Inlet by boat, capturing its bays and historic sites. We will also head out further from the coast to try to photograph some of the marine birds—including albatross—that can be found fishing in the waters around Stewart Island. In the afternoon, we will explore some of the forest tracks close to Oban, including the start of the Rakiura great walk.

Day 4 – Stewart Island - Invercargill

We have the morning to explore more locations close to Oban, including beautiful bays and another forest walk. This brings us to the end of our tour, and we fly back to Invercargill in time to meet late afternoon flights out to the main centres.

 
PRICE INCLUDES

• Return flight to Stewart Island from Invercargill
• 4 days photography tuition with Richard Young
• 3 nights accommodation at Stewart Island Lodge - single room upgrade included
• 3 breakfasts
• Boat trip to Ulva Island
• Kiwi spotting trip 
• Boat trip around Paterson Inlet
• Invercargill pickup/dropoff 
• Transport during the tour
• DOC (National Park) concession fees
• Copy of our Pocket Guide to Landscape & Wildlife Photography 
• Donation to our Conservation Fund
• Native tree planting to Carbon Offset your tour4 days photography tuition with Richard Young (plus local guide)