Guided Tours

Stewart Island Village & Bays Tour

Stewart Island coastal road with tour bus near sandy bay and lush trees.

Couple sitting on a bench overlooking the beach and bay on Stewart Island tour.

Tourists enjoying nature on Stewart Island Village & Bays Tour.

Stewart Island beach with clear water and rocky shoreline on Village & Bays Tour.

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Explore Stewart Island on a 90-min guided minibus tour with local Māori stories, scenic stops at Lee Bay & Observation Rock, and short walks.

4.8/5

(15)

Richard P

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

Excellent tour despite the weather! Our driver Rhys was extremely knowledgeable and amusing. He gave a great insight into the history and way of life of the people of Stewart Island. The tour covered all of the places accessible by road and gave us ideas on shorter walks for those of us not into longer tramps.. Highly recommend this trip.

Warren M

Group

Verified booking

Oct 2025

The staff were all friendly and helpful. They had all our information and didn't require any paperwork even though we were advised to supply it. We changed times of the bus tour without notice and it was no problem to them. The driver was brilliant, great sence of humour and very knowlededgable without being borenig. Judged his audience and had anecdotes for all situations. He clearly loves his home and was happy to share. We got lots of pointers about what to do when there from everyone and didn't have a dull moment. We were an elderly group of 4, one who couldn't walk very well. It didn't matter. Younger and fitter people were also well catered for. Highly recommend them.

Renee D

Solo

Verified booking

Oct 2025

My Guide spoke so beautifully and explained things and place names. She was patient and knowledgeable and passionate about her Community, it was not rushed or overdone. The Tour was perfectly timed and i felt like i absorbed everything i wanted to know like the meaning of place names and some of the history. From start to finish i was just enamoured. You need a locally guided tour to truely appreciate this very special part of Nz. Thank you

Explore Stewart Island’s beauty on a 90-minute guided tour, where a local expert shares Māori legends and the island’s rich history.

Visit Lee Bay, the gateway to Rakiura National Park, and see the iconic anchor chain sculpture symbolizing Stewart Island’s deep connection to the mainland.

Take in the views from Observation Rock, overlooking Paterson Inlet and the surrounding islets—a perfect spot for photos.

Travel comfortably aboard a modern minibus, enjoying a smooth and relaxed ride through Stewart Island’s scenic town and bays.

Did you know? According to Māori legend, Stewart Island is the anchor stone of the South Island canoe (Te Waka o Aoraki).

90-minute guided tour of Stewart Island

Expert local guide

Access to Lee Bay & Observation Rock

Minibus

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

15 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Janet L
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Seeing the sights of Rakiura with a knowledgeable driver who had a great sense of humour
Richard P
Couple
Verified booking
Feb 2026
Excellent tour despite the weather! Our driver Rhys was extremely knowledgeable and amusing. He gave a great insight into the history and way of life of the people of Stewart Island. The tour covered all of the places accessible by road and gave us ideas on shorter walks for those of us not into longer tramps.. Highly recommend this trip.
Rohit C
Group
Verified booking
Jan 2026
i would rate the guide 5/5. tour was great abd very informative about the island. Friendly environment. rating of 3 was given in error. i had no issues with this tour. we enjoyedit.
Warren M
Group
Verified booking
Oct 2025
The staff were all friendly and helpful. They had all our information and didn't require any paperwork even though we were advised to supply it. We changed times of the bus tour without notice and it was no problem to them. The driver was brilliant, great sence of humour and very knowlededgable without being borenig. Judged his audience and had anecdotes for all situations. He clearly loves his home and was happy to share. We got lots of pointers about what to do when there from everyone and didn't have a dull moment. We were an elderly group of 4, one who couldn't walk very well. It didn't matter. Younger and fitter people were also well catered for. Highly recommend them.
Renee D
Solo
Verified booking
Oct 2025
My Guide spoke so beautifully and explained things and place names. She was patient and knowledgeable and passionate about her Community, it was not rushed or overdone. The Tour was perfectly timed and i felt like i absorbed everything i wanted to know like the meaning of place names and some of the history. From start to finish i was just enamoured. You need a locally guided tour to truely appreciate this very special part of Nz. Thank you

Explore the untouched beauty of New Zealand’s southernmost community on a guided minibus tour through stunning coastal landscapes, Māori legends, and rich local history. With plenty of photo stops and short walks, this journey is the perfect introduction to Stewart Island.

Getting started

Meet your friendly local guide at the Oban Visitor Centre and hop aboard a modern minibus for a relaxed and comfortable ride.

What to expect

Oban Township & surrounding bays: Begin your journey in Oban, the heart of Stewart Island, where you'll experience the charm of New Zealand's southernmost community. Take in the picturesque landscapes of Halfmoon Bay and Horseshoe Bay, each offering insights into the island's maritime heritage.

Lee Bay & Rakiura National Park entrance: Visit Lee Bay, the official gateway to Rakiura National Park, which encompasses approximately 85% of Stewart Island. Check out the iconic chain sculpture, symbolizing the connection between Stewart Island (Rakiura) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu).

Observation Rock: Ascend to Observation Rock, a renowned lookout point to get expansive views over Paterson Inlet and the island's diverse landscapes, from dense forests to serene waters.

Local stories & legends: Throughout the tour, your local guide will share stories of Stewart Island's rich history and evolution over time.

Photo stops & short walks: The tour includes several photo and walking stops, letting you step off the minibus and immerse yourself in the island's natural beauty.

What to bring

Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, and a jacket for the tour.

Pack your asthma and allergy medicines just in case they’re not available onsite.

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Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Your service animals are welcome on this experience.

Additional information

Guests over 70 years should consult a doctor to check their physical fitness before going on this tour.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Oban Visitor Centre.

Address: 12 Elgin Terrace, Oban 9846, New Zealand.

Get directions to the meeting point