Sails Ashore & Kowhai Lane & Ulva Island Trip
Oban, Stewart Island
Luxury B&B and Ulva Island Tour
Stewart Island is on most New Zealanders' "Bucket List." Unique, unspoilt and offering what is probably New Zealand's best access to bird and wild-life, including your best chance to see kiwi in the wild.
Sails Ashore is a boutique, two room, bed & breakfast overlooking the charmingly unchanged village of Oban. Finished in native rimu timber salvaged from a West Coast lake, Sails Ashore is everything you would expect in a boutique lodge. Your hosts Iris and Peter have lived on Stewart Island for over 40 years. Peter arrived as Forest Ranger in Charge, later becoming a commercial fisherman and later again a charter skipper. Iris was District Nurse for 14 years and a foundation trustee of Ulva Island Open Sanctuary. A stay at Sails Ashore is packaged with a Guided Eco Tour of Ulva Island, guided by Peter. Guests are also offered a land-based road tour, which as well as the scenic beauty of the Island focuses on the stories of the Islanders.
Spend several nights here, explore Ulva Island, fly over to remote Mason's Bay and hike back to your base in Oban. Enjoy the sense of peace, remoteness, the friendly small village atmosphere and the abundant birdlife.
Accommodation & Ulva Island Tour
Sails Ashore Lodge guest rooms were purpose built. Each is ensuite. Fully centrally heated 24/7, with coffee and tea facilities in each room, heated ensuite floors, original works of art. We have an extensive library of local interest books and DVDs. Each room has private access (Port room has no steps and is wheelchair friendly) and share the guest sun and dining room which overlooks Halfmoon Bay. We made extensive use of native rimu timber when building, which gives an understated grace to the décor.
Ulva Island is part of Rakiura National Park and now free of introduced animals and is fast becoming a glimpse into New Zealand’s ancient past. Several species of threatened birds have been reintroduced to this open sanctuary and are doing very well. In addition the forest is flourishing without the influence of rats and deer. The orchids are particularly impressive during their flowering seasons. Party size is small ( generally 6 or less) as we firmly believe larger parties seriously degrades the experience, Your guides will be either Peter or Iris, sometimes we will both guide. Our standard tour is around 4 hrs and includes all transfers, DoC Fees & etc. Tours can start early morning or late afternoon when the birds are at their best And if you’d like longer on the Island we can arrange for you to stay on and be picked up later.
Meals
- Breakfast
Facilities
- Complementary 4 hour Ulva Island Tour
- On-island transfers
- Historic Road Tour / Scenic Island Tour $60pp
Additional Information
10% discount off the standard return airfare with Stewart Island Flights
Both plane and ferry are occasionally subject to adverse weather. We recommend travel insurance.
ROOMS 2 | MAX GUESTS 4
Directions
We collect guests from plane or ferry on arrival.
Terms
MINIMUM STAY 3 nights (2 nights on special request)
CHILD POLICY Welcome, maximum 2 guests per room
CHECK-IN 2pm | CHECK-OUT 10am. Guests can check-in earlier but room may not be ready until 2pm
CANCELLATION 7 days 100% | 30 days 33% | 31 days 10% | 20th December to January 10th no refund
SEASON Open year round
Recommendations:
New Zealand’s best birdlife, kiwi tours, remote island discovery, hiking, Stewart Island flights.
Local Area
Cafes & Shop - 8 minutes walk
Invercargill Airport - 20 minute flight
Bluff - 1 hour boat trip