Well here we are back in Invercargill after an amazing few days on Stewart Island. The ferry crossing was fortunately very smooth and I loved bouncing across the big waves. Poor Antony looked a little green around the gills however and I feel boat travel is not his cup of tea! Talking of cups of tea they are free on the boat! Hurrah! Arriving in...

A brief trip down to a seldom visited part of new zealand x Thursday 20th March 2008: We drove to Bluff and from there caught the ferry to Stewart Island, arriving in Oban (its main town) at 12.30pm. Felt a little sick on the boat. We walked around the tiny town and walked the fuchsia walk, which takes you to a tiny bird walk, and then up to Obs...

We awoke bright and early to get ready for our journey across the water to Stewart Island. The one hour ride across the 39 kilometer was incredibly smooth on a fabulously sunny day. Once back on solid ground in Oban (the only town on the island) we walked all the way across town (about 500 meters) to Stewart Island Backpackers where the hostess ...

Managed to start the car this morning after last night Team Wales had left the light on in the car draining the battery. Luckily they had a cable in the camp and we were able to jump start the Gallant. If we had been in the middle of nowhere we would have been screwed as I have no cable and you can't push start and automatic. After the car turne...

I'd been to the supermarket the previous evening to stock up on food for Stewart Island. Unfortunately I bought too much and it wouldn't all fit into my backpacks, so I ate a full box of Tim Tams for breakfast...and toast! Now I had sufficient room for the rest of my food, and when the shuttle bus picked me up at 8.15am, I was set up for the day...

Situated off Bluff on the South of the South Island, Stewart Island is 180,000 hectares in area but only 390 people live there, mostly in the town of Oban. The remainder is the Rakiura National Park and is home to the Kiwi. Again, the scenery is stunning and we had a good walk around Halfmoon Bay onto Ackers Point. Fishing is the local industry ...

The end of the Routburn to Manapouri to Invercargil to Stewart Island. In Manapouri I stayed in a great place called the freestone backpacker with an amazing view of the lake, sunrise , sunset , and random horses poking about. Even made a super healthy dinner all by myself. Then, on the west southern scenic route I headed towards Invercargil. On...