Day 12 Ulva and Stewart Island

 We arrived early morning in Paterson Bay on Stewart Island and were soon off for a guided walk on Ulva Island. This is a conservation area, most of which is still untouched by human hands.

It was a different zodiak transfer given the bay was protected from the wind and the weather very mild. No heavy jackets and waterproof attire 

Ulva even provided a jetty landing

The landing bay and only house on the island

Our lovely and very enthusiastic guide

Plenty of tracks to follow 

Some interesting trees - a monkey puzzle tree

A red crowned parrot

Rata tree flowers

Little blue penguin tracks

A sea lion chased us off the beach

A saddleback bird

Another tui

Umdisturbed podocarp forest 

Stewart Island robin, we also saw the flightless Stewart Island weka and yellow head

Lovely ground cover

The oft photographed emerging tree fern leaf

Huge macrocarpa trees

After exploring the island it was over to Stewart Island proper…

..and the main village of Oban

Last zodiak trip heading back to Le Solèal

Then to the tour desk to book our next Ponant cruise - for February 2026 mind you

French classics for afternoon tea

Blinis with salmon and caviar with pre- dinner cocktails

A three course dinner to follow

And a misty south east corner of NZ as we headed for Fiordland