Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 - Stewart Island is our next port where we will hike the island and then board a boat for a seabird and wildlife cruise.

australia2025
Sunrise as we sail into Stewart Island.

Almost looks like a picture from Africa with the picturesque acacia tree.
australia2025
Cliffs at the entrance to Stewart Island harbor.
australia2025
Our excursion was not until late morning so we're off for a little hiking.

The dock guide said the hike along the coast is beautiful and takes about an hour. We had 2 hours, so off we go into the forest.
australia2025
Virginia Ann on the trail.
australia2025
Most surprising is the number of tree ferns, which seemed too far south for ferns, but they are everywhere.
australia2025
Cal and Virginia Ann well into our hike. Enjoying the walk after being on the ship for so long.
australia2025
Small bay along the hike.
australia2025
The view of our ship from the coastal trail. It is anchored in the bay, and we used tenders to get to the dock.
australia2025
Cal on a bridge posing for Virginia Ann. Minutes later layers of clothes come off as the hike is steep traveling up and down along the coastline.
australia2025
After an hour and no site of town, we begin to worry about making it back to catch our excursion.

Finally, we spot the town of Oban from the top of a hill.
australia2025
Oban is another very charming town, as are most all the small coastal ports. Oban has a nice beach area and a church sitting on a hill near the town center.
australia2025
Old warehouse-like buildings are now commercial shops.
australia2025
Our excursion is a boat safari to look for birds and wildlife.

Of course there were albatross. Here a Salvin's Albatross zooms in for a look at the boat.
australia2025
The underside of a Salvin's Albatross.
australia2025
Rocks covered with distinctive Red-Billed Gulls.
australia2025
A Macquarie Shag twists to see the boat as we cruise near rocks offshore.
australia2025
The Spotted Shag is a species of cormorant endemic to New Zealand. Love those yellow feet.
australia2025
A mating pair of Macquarie Shags getting a bit personal.
australia2025
An island along the coast is the site of a school, chosen as it is equidistant from the various settlements in Stewart Island.
australia2025
Red-Billed Gulls all facing the same way. Into the wind?
australia2025
The boat sailed out to a rocky island way off the coastline, where we see a Fur Seal colony.

This big seal is not impressed by the boat.
australia2025
This seal seems a little more curious about the tourists.
australia2025
A Brown Skua flies by.

Brown skuas are noted for sometimes bonding with humans who live for extended periods in Antarctica.
australia2025
Smaller seal in a sea of rocks.
australia2025
We were attracted to the unusual seaweed/kelp and then we see the little seal at the top.
australia2025
A Kelp Gull with some of the fish the boat used to attract the seabirds.
australia2025
A Red-Billed Gull looking for its share of fish treats.
australia2025
A Salvin's Albatross runs across the water for take off.
australia2025
The Salvin's Albatross spreads its wings and glides around the boat. Their wings come so close to the water.
australia2025
Cal takes several attempts, but finally snaps a picture of this brown Flesh-Footed Shearwater. They fly very rapidly, making them tough to photograph.
australia2025
Salvin's Albatross with landing gear down headed for a landing.
australia2025
Here a Salvin's Albatross hits the water, skiing for a short period after touchdown.
australia2025
A Pintado Petrel wheeling in the air looking for an opportunity.
australia2025
A skiing Salvin's Albatross after touchdown. They are fun to watch.
australia2025
A Red-Billed Gull in flight.
australia2025
Rain threatened all day, and as we leave Stewart Island, signs of a storm gather.
australia2025
Shoreline along the Stewart Island coast.

This is where we learn the smallest of all the penguins, the Blue Penguin, is feeding in the water. Many shouts of "over there," yet we do not see nor photograph a single one. Very disappointing. Later, when in Australia, we will be in for an incredible treat regarding little blue penguins.
australia2025
Tiny beach cove.
australia2025
Finally, some rain, fortunately in the distance.
australia2025
Rain and a small island off Stewart Island.
Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Top
Top    
  Cal and VA | Adventures | New Zealand / Australia
        © Cal and Virginia Ann Holman All Rights Reserved 2000-2025
Modified last on Aug 17, 2025, 4:55:49?PM