Transfer from Invercargill to Strannik in Oban, Stewart Island. With your knowledgeable captain we will look at charts and maps to discuss the objectives for our expedition.Our goal is to discover a part of New Zealand that very few people have had the opportunity to see and experience.Tonight we plan to find a good anchorage that allows us a chance to get ashore as well as practice with the Zodiacs which will be key to this expedition.

Our goal is to discover a part of New Zealand that very few people have had the opportunity to see and experience especially the areas south of Oban/Halfmoon Bay and Paterson Inlet. We plan to visit both Oban township and Paterson Inlet but the lure of the southern parts of the island will be strong, places like Port Adventure, Lords River, Port Pegasus, Broad Bay and if the weather is good the southern muttonbird Islands, possibly Easy Harbour and Doughboy Bay. We want to discover the importance of this area for the Maori, the impact of the European sealers and whalers, the saw millers and the tin miners. We would like to give you the opportunity to climb and explore some of the striking geographical features, such as Trig D, the Fraser Peaks including Gog and Magog and possibly Smiths Lookout as well as explore the myriad of sheltered bays, coves and inlets. With names like Smugglers Cove, Cooks arm, Evening Cove, Shipbuilders Cove and Acheron Anchorage there is much to see and learn. Also search for Kiwi, and look for other bush birds and of course seabirds or pelagic species. Fur Seals and Sealions will also be on our want to see and photograph list. The forest mosaics aren’t what you would expect it’s both a unique and exciting botanical wonderland. Finally, an expedition to this region wouldn’t be compete without at least one meal of the legendary blue cod or if you are keen and you bring a wet suit crayfish can often be found just with a snorkel providing the sea conditions are suitable.

Enjoy breakfast aboard Strannik and then it’s time to say our farewells. We plan to get you onto the first ferry from Halfmoon Bay to Bluff where you will be met by a complimentary shuttle bus and transferred to your accommodation or flights in Invercargill.

We do not publish a day to day itinerary, except for first and the last day. We embrace true expedition travel and make each trip unique depending on weather conditions and the guests onboard. Each of our expeditions has a goal or an objective and you will have a role in both defining and achieving those.