Ulva Island
Ulva Island
4.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.8
713 reviews
Excellent
615
Very good
80
Average
14
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Kiwifreespirits
Auckland, New Zealand112 contributions
Feb 2021
We did a self guided walk using the guide book ( $2) we bought in Oban before going We used the excellent Rakiura Charters Water Taxi to get to Ulva having spent a wonderful few hours with them before hand around Patterson Inlet and the Mussel and Salmon Farm area in Big Glory Bay . Great people !!.
We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .
We allowed ourselves 3 hours on Ulva . Way too short !!! . Should have made it 4 ( it was a fine day which helped ) to give sufficient time to just stop listen and watch frequently eg . Late in the walk we saw a Kiwi very close to us . But we were tight for time and could only spend 2 or 3 minutes looking which was frustrating. Many of the birds are very friendly eg Stewart Island robins that hop on your shoes and check out the laces , Wekas who hang out at the two beaches etc .
Written March 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahlibrarina
Dunedin, New Zealand29 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Absolutely stunning - we walked every track and saw kaka, tui, robins, bell birds, kakariki, weka, and for the first time, saddlebacks!
We missed seeing a grumpy sea lion who apparently blocked off access to a track for some time.
The tracks are in really good condition. Great to have interpretation panels for information and a couple of toilets available. Can recommend buying the guide (contains a map, interpretation and bird guide) for $2 from the DOC office or the shelter at Post Office Bay.
We missed seeing a grumpy sea lion who apparently blocked off access to a track for some time.
The tracks are in really good condition. Great to have interpretation panels for information and a couple of toilets available. Can recommend buying the guide (contains a map, interpretation and bird guide) for $2 from the DOC office or the shelter at Post Office Bay.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fovant2014
Christchurch, New Zealand47 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
As good as we had expected. Lots of birds up close and amazing bush. We even saw a grumpy sea lion on the track and had to give it a wide berth! We walked the whole island in between ferry sailings, but we were rushed for time. Would recommend that you either allow more than 2 hours, or if time limited don’t walk all the way to the far end of the island.
Written January 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C4nt3rbury
Christchurch, New Zealand41 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
A must do if you visit Stewart Island. We did a self guided walk. Make sure you grab a guide book for $2 available on the island as it explains points of interest along the way. We caught Rakiura Water Taxi to the island. They were extremely accommodating. The track is extremely well maintained, well sign posted and the timings of the lengths of the track are generous. We saw plenty of bird life and a sea lion on the beach. Do it in any weather.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally A
Wanaka, New Zealand551 contributions
Mar 2021
Ulva Island falls ito the ‘must visit’ category of Rakiura (Stewart Island) For your fist visit I recommend doing it in a very small group with a guide. We used Peter Tait from ‘Sails Ashore Lodge: Ulva Island Discovery Tour. Peter has a passion & knowledge of the Ulva Island bush and bird life, based on a lifetime of experience living at Stewart Island. While walking around the island, he pointed out so many details that we would have missed, had we been on our own.
Written March 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiwiJune
Carterton, New Zealand16 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
So easy to walk around - the tracks are very well maintained. The island has never been milled for timber and has been a nature conservation area since 1899. As a result, the bush is very different from that around Oban. Mature rimu and totara are a feature and the variety of ferns is amazing. Friendly weka and Stewart Island Robins are a delight and, with a bit of patience, we saw parakeets and Saddlebacks. Alas no Kiwi.
Written February 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger M
Christchurch, New Zealand4 contributions
Sep 2022
To see an array of native wildlife and forest you must visit Ulva Island. Kaka, tui, tomtits bellbird, silvereye, saddlebacks, weka, fantail and more...if your lucky you'll see a kiwi(we didnt) Travelled over by Rakiura charters and water taxi on a faultless service
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelali
Wellington, New Zealand32 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Beautiful place to stop and just listen to the songs of a variety of native birds and yes we did see a kiwi yayayay.. Pick up an Ulva Island Guide for $2 and see the historic sights and photos of the birds you can see. Allow around three hours if not four if you don't wish to rush it and take some water and snacks/lunch and some wine maybe.
A must do when visiting stewart island 🏝️
A must do when visiting stewart island 🏝️
Written February 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara W
8 contributions
Oct 2020
An amazing place to stop and listen to the songs of a variety of native birds, and if you are very lucky (as I was) you may even see a kiwi out and about during the day!!! Pick up an Ulva Island Guide for $2 and see the historic sights and photos of the birds you can see. The Ulva Island Ferry (the Ranui) is a lovely way to get to the island, with the first trip leaving at 9am. Allow around three hours and take some water and snacks/lunch.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand1,323 contributions
Jun 2020
What a fabulous island. Self guide books are available from the shelter at the start for $2 and then you just follow the tracks. There are so many birds, take your time and youre sure to spot over half the birds listed in the book. Every time we sat we would have company from a stewart island robin. This really is a must do when in Stewart Island.
Written June 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI, you mentioned that Peter from where you were staying took you. Where were you staying? Thank you
Written June 24, 2019
We booked late and could only get a room at the backpacker. But that place freaked me out - a guy from the next room barged in on me in bed, because his key opened MY door. He scooted out ASAP, decent fellow, but - I don't recommend THAT experience.
But I don't think you mean me, because I took a package tour to Ulva, at night to see live kiwi.
Written July 2, 2019
Hi! I wanted to visit Ulva Island after hearing so much but it's only possible for me to go in June and alone. Should I go ahead anyway?
Written March 2, 2018
Yes if the ferry is going you should go.
Written March 4, 2018
Hi, We are planning a trip to Stewart Island next week. Wanting to know the cost of ferry to Ulva island and where is the best vantage point to find saddle back and rifleman for photography.
Many thanks :0
Written May 7, 2017
Costs $20-25 round trip--there's a boat with set times ($20), or for $25 you can set your times.
Written May 16, 2017
Can someone help me out with a 'plan' for a day trip to Stewart Island- we were going to knock a visit to the Island out of the trip to NZ , but we are sold on going now having read about it.
Can you give me a suggested company to use for 'guided tour half day ' for Ulva ( think we want / need to know what we are looking at and for!) and a company for a tour round the island as well.
Will get the early ferry over ( arrive 9am I think ) and the late one (5pm) back. I can't quite 'gel' this idea into a day plan as I keep getting' conflict is bookings' flashing up when I try to book it all on one web site. Or am I trying to do too much in one day?
Written September 5, 2016
You could also try "Beaks and feathers". For the the Ulva Island trip, she was a lovely guide and we saw really interesting birds and learned a lot about the flora on the island also. It was a small group size (4 of us) as well which was nice.
Written September 23, 2016
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