Glowing Skies of Rakiura

These are some belated trip stories and photos, from November (where has the time gone?) when I traveled to Rakiura-Stewart Island. The photos below only hint at the alluring nature of Rakiura and words cannot really express how cool that place is...I must return there someday.

Stewart Island/Rakiura is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies 30 km south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly fewer than 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.

You can get there by plane, helicopter or ferry. This was our plane. I took a photo of it because it was the smallest plane I had ever been on! There were about 10 passengers, among them four of my co-workers, and they were quite amused by my excitement (and fear). The ride over was very smooth, though...and I am told plane is the way to go, as crossing the Straight is reputed to be a rough ride every time, and a surefire recipe for seasickness.

The settlement of Oban is located on Half Moon Bay (sometimes used as an alternative name for the town). There are many boats anchored in the bay, and Oban has the flavour of a true seafaring culture.

The DOC visitor centre at Rakiura, which was where I spent most of my two days on the island. Fair enough, since it was a work trip and the VC was, after all, the primary reason for my visit. As with every DOC facility I have visited, I was extremely impressed by the dedication and high level of enthusiasm that the staff of the visitor centre show for their work. Even though I was itching to get outside and explore the island, the time was well-spent in their company and it was great to share ideas and discuss the work that DOC does on the island.

The visitor centre has some very well done interpretive displays! And, I hear they are received gratefully by wet trampers who wander in and are looking to kill some time while they wait out the rain. Fortunately the displays are extensive and interesting, because it can rain a lot on Rakiura!

I got up at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise from one of the bays outside of town.



Not another person, not even a building, in sight.



The only other footprints on the beach other than mine were those of birds.

OK...so it seems I took that earlier plane photo prematurely! This plane is now officially the smallest aircraft I have ever been on!

My co-workers Nada and Odette were sitting in the back. I could not hear what they were saying, but I am certain they were having fun at my expense.

I sat in front the front seat with the pilot. It was very cool and very scary (because I am a wimp). He did a great job, though and again it was a smooth flight. Like many places in New Zealand I've seen so far, I've only just scratched the surface of Rakiura. Definitely on my list of places to return to and I highly recommend it as a destination.