After discovering there was no toaster and hungry after our liquid dinner we breakfasted on fruit scones and tea. Decided that today we would leave Stewart island, yes! Already! But not too far to another island called Ulva, approximately 7 minutes away.
On the way we popped into the Stewart island museum to have a ganders at their treasures. Mainly Victoriana and fishing related, small museum but interesting.
Walked to another wharf where we were met by the local taxi ferry company. We got given two leaves as tickets , really. Soon we got ushered into our boat where we meet Peter, the skipper of the 8 seated taxi boat. He was deliriously happy with this job he had been doing for the last 10 years and was a joy to chat to, for 7 minutes, when we arrived to Ulva.
There was one house on the island and their bit was fenced off, other than this you could walk around the island on boardwalks. We came to some amazing beaches, paradise like; clear flat sea, warm air, sun beating down, soft sands, could only hear the waves and a few seagulls. Only saw a few people on the island. Most of the types that come here are of a similar ilk, calm, quiet, peaceful much like the island. Also it is a bird sanctuary where you can spot kiwi, parrots, kea, We whiled away the day wandering very slowly enjoying the tranquility until it was time Peter was at the wharf waiting to take us back on the calmest taxi and boat we gave ever been on.
With all that sea air and walking, calorie deficient we fell into the nearest place for sustenance. Oh what, just so happens it was the fish shop, whoops. Blue cod and elephant fish if you must know!
Enjoyed this on the balcony of the south sea hotel overlooking the harbor and listening to stories of the seas from the fisherman that seemed to congregate right outside each night and drink till it shuts!
Ulva island is well worth a visit for the day if you’re already on Stewart Island, it is recommended that you take a day to explore as there is around 3 hours of walking tracks. See the link for times/ prices for the ferry https://www.stewartisland.co.nz/organisations/water-taxi/ulva-island-ferry/
