Southern Odyssey

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.

  • $4,590 (NZD) pp twin
  • $5,190 (NZD) pp single

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

Accommodation

Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill

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

Accommodation

Bay Motel, Stewart Island

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

Accommodation

Bay Motel, Stewart Island

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

Accommodation

Nugget View Motel

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

Accommodation

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

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

Accommodation

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

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

Next departures

Please contact us if you have any questions about our tour departure dates.

Tour DatePrice (from)Availability
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18 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2024
$4,590 (NZD)
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04 Dec 2024 - 10 Dec 2024
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13 Jan 2025 - 19 Jan 2025
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20 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025
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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 DatePrice (from)Availability
starDeparture Guaranteedstar
18 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2024
$4,590 (NZD)
Sorry it's full
Enquire
starDeparture Guaranteedstar
04 Dec 2024 - 10 Dec 2024
$4,590 (NZD)
Almost full
Just 3 seats left!
Enquire
starDeparture Guaranteedstar
13 Jan 2025 - 19 Jan 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
Filling up
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starDeparture Guaranteedstar
20 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
Filling up
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starDeparture Guaranteedstar
03 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
Sorry it's full
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starDeparture Guaranteedstar
17 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
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starDeparture Guaranteedstar
03 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
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starDeparture Guaranteedstar
16 Apr 2025 - 22 Apr 2025
$4,590 (NZD)
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