Stewart Island Flights – Scenic Flights

Stewart Island Flights is a locally owned and operated business, who maintain scheduled flights linking Stewart Island and Invercargill as well as a number of exciting alternatives providing access to the more remote reaches of the island.

Activity Options

Scenic flights can be tailored to showcase whatever part of Southland you desire. Stewart Island Flights is happy to quote any proposed scenic flight. Sights of popular interest include:

• Invercargill City
• Stewart Island Flyover
• Southern Coastline
• Central Southland

Lunch & Island Explorer

• Scenic flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island
• Depart for a 1½ hour bus tour on the Island Explorer, exploring local landmarks and the history behind Stewart Island with your local guide
• Enjoy a set menu lunch at South Sea Hotel on the waterfront at Halfmoon Bay
• Spend time exploring, buying a souvenir, or just absorb the tranquillity of the island
• Return flight to Invercargill with Stewart Island Flights

Ulva Island & Island Explorer

• Scenic flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island
• 15 minute walk to Golden Bay to meet your water taxi to Ulva Island open bird sanctuary
• Spend an hour or two on Ulva Island strolling the excellent walking tracks amongst predator free podocarp forest, home to many endangered species
• Return to Golden Bay, walk over to Oban township, where you may purchase lunch at one of the many and varied dining establishments
• Depart for a 1½ hour bus tour on the Island Explorer, exploring landmarks and the history behind Stewart Island with your local guide.
• Spend time exploring, buying a souvenir, or just absorb the tranquillity of the island
• Return flight to Invercargill with Stewart Island Flights

Varied Transport

• Ulva Island & Island Explorer (as above) featuring a scenic flight from Invercargill to Stewart Island returning to Bluff on the Foveaux Express ferry, then shuttle back to Invercargill.

Fly/Ferry

• Fly one way and ferry the other with Invercargill/Bluff shuttle included.

Coast to Coast

The Stewart Island Coast to Coast is one of Stewart Island Flights’ most popular and unique innovations. Appealing to any traveller up for a taste of New Zealand in its natural untouched state, the Coast to Coast is a gentle sample of the island’s more rigorous North-West Circuit.

• Walkers can take in spectacular aerial views of Paterson Inlet and Mason Bay before an exciting beach landing – definitely a one-of-a-kind experience!
• Walk between Mason Bay and Freshwater Hut, an invigorating four hours on mostly flat tracks, including a stretch of boardwalk over the island’s Chocolate Swamp
• From Freshwater Hut, walkers enjoy a scenic boat trip with Seaview Water Taxis along the meandering Freshwater River, crossing Paterson Inlet to Golden Bay
• Alternatively the trip can be made in reverse, from Golden Bay through to Mason Bay, flying from the beach back to Oban to gain an aerial perspective of the track while the memories are still fresh

* Minimum 3 Adults, or total cost of trip with 2 Adults would be $555.

A number of options are available, including overnight stays at either the Mason Bay or Freshwater Department of Conservation huts. This allows for the increased opportunity of spotting New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi, in its natural environment.

The Coast to Coast is a trip to remember, whether it is completed as a day trip or a three-day holiday.

Other Information

• Trips are weather and tide dependant
• Minimum numbers apply
• Average level of fitness required
• Warm clothing must be carried
• Adequate footwear must be worn
• Seasonal weather will affect the condition of the track

Facilities

Stewart Island Flights proudly operate two Britten Norman Islanders, two Piper Cherokee Six and one Cessna 185. All aircraft are maintained to the highest standard and fulfill all safety requirements.

Location

Stewart Island Flights is located in the main terminal at Invercargill Airport.