Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me by boat from Golden Bay Harbour to Ulva Island. There I will be spending the day exploring the island and photographing birds in this predator free sanctuary. I will spend much of the day on the main track, but will also head east along the lesser known track to The Snuggery, before returning to mainland Stewart Island to hopefully capture a spectacular sunset.
Today's Journey
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Sunrise viewed from Observation Rock. I will be spending most of the day on Ulva Island, the long dark island visible in the middle of Paterson Inlet. |
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My boarding pass as I board the boat in Golden Bay. This is a real leaf. |
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Once I reach the island, the track immediately goes into the pristine bush. The track is in excellent condition. |
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A weka foraging the seaweed on Boulder Beach on the far side of the narrow island. |
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A kakariki - red crowned parakeet. Once common throughout New Zealand, they are difficult to find on the South Island but common on the predator free offshore islands. |
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A large fur seal resting on the sand at West End Beach. |
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A kaka - forest parrot just above the track. |
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Reaching Sydney Cove on the eastern side of the island. |
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Returning to the wharf at Post Office Cove, the site of Stewart Island's first post office where mail was shipped from Bluff. |
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Once back on mainland Stewart Island, I head back over the hill to Oban. |
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