1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
English
Included
Explore Oban and surrounding bays on guided tour
Visit Lee Bay gateway to Rakiura National Park
Enjoy panoramic views from Observation Rock lookout
Discover native flora fauna and wildlife sightings
€ 14.2
This activity is managed by our trusted partner FareHarbor.
Additional taxes and fees may apply — total shown at checkout.
Select your preferred date and time from the calendar above.
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Experience an entertaining and informative insight into New Zealands southernmost community on this one and a half hour guided tour of Oban and its surrounding areas. The journey begins with a scenic exploration of Lee Bay, widely regarded as the gateway to Rakiura National Park. Passengers can enjoy stunning views of the crystal clear waters and native forested hills while learning about the regions unique history, wildlife, and cultural significance. Knowledgeable guides provide engaging commentary throughout the tour, sharing stories of the local community, its traditions, and the natural environment that makes Stewart Island so special. Small group sizes ensure a personal and interactive experience, allowing participants to ask questions and fully appreciate the highlights along the route.
The tour continues with visits to several bays and beaches surrounding Oban, offering panoramic views and photo opportunities of the islands unspoiled landscapes. Observation Rock provides an elevated vantage point over Paterson Inlet, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of the region. Suitable for all ages, this tour combines education, entertainment, and scenic exploration, making it ideal for families, solo travelers, and groups alike. Guests will gain a deeper understanding of life on Stewart Island, the local flora and fauna, and the islands connection to New Zealands wider natural and cultural heritage. This guided experience provides a memorable introduction to the southernmost community and its remarkable surroundings.
Guided tour of Oban and nearby bays
Expert commentary on local history culture and wildlife
Small group experience for personalized guidance
Scenic stops for views and photo opportunities
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Warm layers and rain jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Hat and sunglasses
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels
Tour operates in various weather conditions
Follow guide instructions for safety
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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My husband and I had the good fortune to do a kiwi spotting tour and a trip to Ulva Island with Ruggedy Range; Furhana guided us for both. Her knowledge of bird and plant life is encyclopedic, and she shared it in an accessible and fascinating way on both tours. We were particularly impressed by how dedicated she was to the wellbeing of all wildlife, and how she was careful to help us understand what we needed to do to keep the habitats safe. We’d both highly recommend Ruggedy Range for an authentic but respectful experience.
Rhys, our driver was most informative, great sense of humour & conveyed in understandable terms the history of Rakiura Stewart Island. We highly recommend him as a valued part of our visit & a tour guide.
A truly awesome Kiwi spotting experience. Furhana was a very knowledgable and passionate guide who gave us a short intro to the Kiwi and then drove us round until we spotted and then viewed a male and a female Tokoeka / Stewart Island Kiwi. The key is to have patience - it’s well worth it!
This was an outstanding trip. Our wonderful guide Jen gave us a local's insight to not only the history, but also how the community works today as well as showing us some stunningly beautiful places. I could not rate this trip high enough, I enjoyed it that much.
Rhys had a wonderful running commentary and his professional friendliness enhanced the overall experience
We went on 2 tours with Furhana who is very knowledgeable and we enjoyed our experience. First tour was a 2 hour bird tour on Stewart Island and the second was an afternoon on Ulva Island. Highly recommend Ruggedy Range Tours. Here are just some of the birds we saw. Thank you Furhana
Definitely recommend. Our guide was Rhys, he was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour.
Very enjoyable excursion, with a very entertaining and informative driver/guide.
We had booked the morning Ulva Island birding tour, however weather conditions prevented us from getting across. The guide was very accommodating to work with us and our tight schedule to ensure that we got an excellent birding tour, and we ended up enjoying our tour around the island more than we would have across to Ulva Island, as we were able to see more wildlife, birds, and the island itself than we would have otherwise. Very knowledgeable tour guide and we highly recommend this experience!
We booked three outings with Furhana of Ruggedy Range during a September stay on Stewart Island/Rakiura - a boat trip to look for seabirds, a walk round Ulva Island to look for endemic birds and an evening kiwi safari. Despite contending with some pretty bad weather, all of these were really successful and we saw everything we could have hoped for: penguins, close-up albatrosses, spoonbills, weka, kaka, yellowheads, saddlebacks and a kiwi that walked past us just a few yards away. As well as being completely committed to the wellbeing of the birds and other wildlife, Furhana is a skilled and expert guide who spares no effort to make each outing a success - even if it means teaching the clients how to walk quietly in the dark! If you want the best chance to see the exciting birds that the island can offer, we can 100% recommend Ruggedy Range.
