Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara walking tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Visit iconic Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, the jewel of Rakiura National Park. Sample the delights of this open sanctuary via a series of well-formed tracks catering for all ages and levels of fitness.

This DOC directory entry covers Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara walking tracks in Southland, within Rakiura National Park / Stewart Island/Rakiura / Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara . Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Various: 20 min to 2 hr return
• DOC grade: Easiest; Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Predator control for Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara; First published on 24 January 2025. Last reviewed on 8 July 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Explore this open sanctuary on well-formed tracks, catering to all ages and levels of fitness. Track times given below are return times from Post Office Bay but connected paths will allow you to return by a different route. Times are generous allowing for stops.

It takes around 3 hours to walk all of the marked tracks.

Flagstaff Point Lookout

Time: 20 min return to Post Office BayEasy: Walking Track

A short walk takes you up steps to the lookout with panoramic views back to Stewart Island/Rakiura. A flagstaff was erected here by Postmaster Charles Traill so he could signal to residents of Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera when the mail boat arrived from Bluff.

You can choose to descend and return via Sydney Cove.

Sydney Cove

Time: 20 min return to Post Office BayEasiest: Easy access short walk

An easy walk brings you to a golden sand beach. The track is wheel chair accessible until the beach.

At the beach there are picnic tables, a picnic shelter, toilet facility and fresh water at the beach. From the beach you'll look out onto part of the Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve.

Walking south along the beach, you'll find another track leading to the four-way junction that links this track with tracks to Boulder Beach, West End Beach and back to Post Office Bay.

Boulder Beach

Time: 1 hr 30 min return to Post Office BayEasy: Walking track

Boulder Beach takes its name from two massive boulders now hidden in the forest covering the southern ridge above. This sheltered beach also gives views west across the marine reserve to the tiny islands and distant shores of Paterson Inlet.

A track leads from the north end of Boulder Beach to West End Beach. There are steps involved.

West End Beach

Time: 2 hr return to Post Office BayEasy: Walking track

As you approach this most westerly of the island's beaches, the heavier forest of the island merges into coastal plant communities. The loop with the Boulder Beach track gives an easy round trip of about three hours. There are steps involved in this track.

Getting there

It's normally a short boat ride to get to Ulva Island.

Ulva Island is situated inside Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera, Stewart Island/Rakiura and has a land area of 266.6 hectares along with a coastline of about 11 km.

We aim to keep Ulva Island a predator fee location. Follow the guidelines on how to keep Ulva Island predator free as described in know before you go.

Access by boat

Access is by boat, from either Halfmoon Bay or Golden Bay, on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Water taxis, guides, charter boats, and a ferry are available to the main wharf at Post Office Bay. This bay is on the north side of the island and is where the main walking tracks start from.

Own vessel

If you use your own vessel, anchorage is likely in Sydney Cove. Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve is nearby. Check the boundaries of the marine reserve.

Know before you go

• Night visits are not allowed.

• Dogs are not allowed on Ulva Island. They can kill ground birds.

• There is no public accommodation on the island and camping is not allowed.

• There are no shops on Ulva Island. Pack everything you need before going to the island.

When on the island

• Do not play any bird calls/songs.

• Drone use is not allowed above Ulva Island unless you have a drone permit.

• Follow all signs and keep to the paths.

• Do not feed any of the wildlife or birdlife, especially the weka.

• Take all your rubbish with you when you leave. There are no rubbish bins.

Keep Ulva Island predator-free

Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara was declared free of rats after a successful eradication programme that began in 1992 and was completed in 1996.

Ulva Island has high natural values and its relatively unmodified state makes it an important island for the conservation of threatened species.

Your help is needed

Rats can stowaway on a boat. Water taxis and tour boats carry poison bait stations to prevent rats getting to the island. Rats can also hitch a ride on private boats or kayaks. Weeds can be a problem too. Weed seeds are very small and can easily be introduced on footwear or in bags.

• Check your boat/kayak, bags or packs for rats before setting out for the island.

• Make sure there are no rats on your boat or in your gear.

• Check your footwear, pockets and Velcro tabs for any seeds that may be hitching a ride.

• If you see evidence of rats on Ulva Island, report it immediately to DOC.

Steps to do before you visit a pest free island

The Ulva Island Charitable Trust raises and manages funds to assist DOC to upgrade tracks and visitor facilities on Ulva Island and help keep it free of introduced pests and predators.

Ulva Island Charitable Trust.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.