Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Experiences
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 20 minutes
Mobile ticket
Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Encounters
Experience the magic of Rakiura/Stewart Island on an unforgettable evening adventure. Begin with a scenic cruise around nearby islands (weather permitting), spotting rare seabirds and marine life like albatross, penguins, and fur seals. As dusk falls, arrive at your kiwi-spotting destination for a guided walk under the stars.
Choose from two unique experiences:
Wild Kiwi Encounter: Journey through coastal forest and along a secluded beach by torchlight in search of the elusive tokoeka (southern brown kiwi).
Wild Kiwi & Culture Encounter: Explore Oneke, a culturally rich area known as “The Neck,” where you’ll hear stories of Māori and European heritage before your kiwi search. End the night with a warm drink in a traditional whare (Māori building) before cruising back to Oban.
Important Info: Approx. 2 hours of walking required. Tracks may be muddy or uneven—sturdy footwear and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not suitable for children under 16 years
A reasonable level of fitness is required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
RealNZ
Check in at the Ferry Terminal
Stewart Island
Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Encounters Join us for an unforgettable evening exploring Rakiura/Stewart Island’s wildlife and culture. Begin with a scenic cruise spotting rare seabirds and marine life before arriving at your kiwi-spotting location. On the Wild Kiwi Encounter, enjoy a guided torchlit walk through forest and beach to search for the elusive tokoeka (southern brown kiwi). Or choose the Wild Kiwi & Culture Encounter at Oneke, where you’ll hear stories of Māori and European heritage before your kiwi search, finishing with a warm drink in a traditional whare. Note: Moderate fitness required (approx. 2 hrs walking). Tracks may be muddy or uneven—wear sturdy footwear and dress warmly.
What‘s Included
Complimentary tea and coffee on board return scenic cruise
Options
Wild Kiwi Departures
Wild Kiwi: Sunset cruise spotting rare marine life, then take a guided walk through forest and along the beach to search for wild kiwi
Wild Kiwi & Culture Departures
Wild Kiwi + Culture: Discover Oneke’s rich Māori and European heritage as day fades to night, with stories, stunning coastal views, and wild kiwi
Reviews
76 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Successful outing.
U2443HNstevenm,,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour of crew is were excellent and helpful. Success in seeing Kiwis. What a treat.
You must not miss the Kiwi experience
S Craig D,,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is our second time taking this tour and we totally enjoyed it. In spite of rain that threatened the on shore excursion, the crew timed the trip as best they could to coincide with the last band of rain. Crew pointed out palegic birds and seals en route to our on shore trek while there was day light. On shore we were lucky enough to observe a kiwi in the bush for over 25 minutes. The guides provided helpful orientation on board and kindly answered a number of questions. I thoroughly pleasant experience and a must do item
Kiwi!
132henningr,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Real NZ offers two different Kiwi tours out of Oban: Wild Kiwi Encounter tour and Kiwi & Culture tour. Both tours start at their office at the main wharf, start times depend depending on daylight (late December with its long days meant a very start at 8.30pm and 8pm for the other tour). Both tours are amazing and well worth the time and money. Wild Kiwi Encounter tour: The first part tours the archipelago with beautiful coastal scenery and wildlife with a chance to see little blue penguin, Hoiho (Yellow-Eyed) penguin, New Zealand Fur Seals, Stewart Island Albatross, Shag colony at Ulva Island's Snuggery Bay, and Sea Lions. Once it gets dark the boat will arrive at Glory Cove, a remote area of Stewart Island: this area is covered by dense forest, and everyone gets a small flashlight with clear instructions how to use them; the trails are relatively even and not difficult. The tour guides scan the surrounding forest with thermal-scopes for Kiwi, and when they find one, they switch to a red-light torch for all to see the birds. Since these are wild animals, there is never any guarantee for sightings, but we were lucky and saw two kiwi on each of our tours. Kiwi & Culture Encounter tour: The main difference to the other kiwi tour is how the time until darkness is covered; this tour is more focused on information about island and Maori history with a small Maori welcome ceremony at 'The Neck' (Oneke) before embarking on a grassland tour searching for Kiwi. The Neck is to the north of the forest area at Glory Cove the other tour covers, which makes both tours quite different: once the guides spot kiwi with their thermal-scopes, the red light torches are used and it is easier to follow them as they walk in and out of the tall grass (in the woodlands once they are behind trees or in the dense undergrowth they are gone). Again, we were lucky and saw two birds, even walking on our path right beside us. Both kiwi tours had been an absolutely amazing experience and I would take both again if (or maybe when) we are back on the island. All RealNZ tours are highly recommended (there are also other tour operators but I can't comment on them); the staff are super motivated and enthusiastic, and I cannot recommend them enough.
Special tour
MarianVoogd,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Evening tour with boat booked. Trip along various places to spot yellow eyed penguins and sea lions. Docked at The Neck on kiwi tour. Pretty soon a kiwi came our way. Total 4 seen. Wonderful evening with full moon and lots of stars.
A long tour but very rewarding.
Oscardog16,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A long tour but very rewarding. We had bad weather for our 2 nights on Stewart Island. This tour did not proceed on our first night, but Real NZ booked us for the next night at our request. So glad we didn’t opt for the refund. We were the only 2 on the tour with 2 guides. We saw 5 kiwis and 2 sea lions. Being such a small group, we had complete silence. A Kiwi almost touched my hiking boot. We took some amazing footage. Our guides India & Harry were friendly and enthusiastic. We highly recommend this tour. We left the dock at 7.30 pm and returned at 12.20 am. The walk is easy and broken up by hot drinks and cheese and cracker. We are pleased that we don’t need plan B, a visit to a zoo to see a Kiwi.
Kiwi up close
janinerP5970YX,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw 1 kiwi and just as we were walking back to the boat a kiwi comes walking down the track and walks passed us. Amazing! Guide was fantastic too. Wonderful experience
Beaks and Feathers Kiwi walking tour
SallyB3112,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beaks and Feathers provide a wonderful way to see Kiwi in their natural habitat. We took a midnight walk along the runway of the local airport in the hope of seeing Kiwi and this tour did not disappoint. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and showed the utmost respect for the Kiwi. We were fortunate enough to see adult males and females as well as juveniles and a baby kiwi. I would recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in seeing Kiwi.
If you love Kiwi you'll love this!
dingbat1000,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best ever kiwi experience I could have hoped for and more. The staff were a delight and really looked after us on the boat and the walk to find the Kiwi. Highly recommend to anyone in search of wild kiwi
Kiwi experience and cultural visit. 10/10!
Daydream48875006761,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great time with our guides Jen and Sarah. The evening was perfect. Learning the history of Oneke and participating in customary events was educational and fun. Such a clear night as we set off to hunt down kiwis. Being in such an isolated location with Torches around midnight was such fun as well. WE were fortunate to see Sea Lions, Morepork and lots of kiwis!! Jen and Sarah were like old mates so full credit to them!
Family adventure
Gregory H,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great variety of marine life before going to the island for the kiwis. We saw kiwis a few feet away!!
From NZ$259.00
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