National park · New Zealand
New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
Visit the Subantarctic Islands for a short wildlife cruise: book a 2‑day permit‑only boat tour (≈NZ$1,200) in November–March, avoid the peak storm months July–September, and stay in Invercargill or Stewart Island base.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1998
Best months
Mar–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²)
- The islands cover about 3,500 km² of land and surrounding sea (check).
- Established
- 1998
- Best months
- Mar–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands are remote World Heritage sites with large seabird colonies and sea‑lion haul‑outs; access is permit‑only via boat tours that include guided walks and wildlife viewing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1998Subantarctic Islands World Heritage site.
Size and age
3,500 km² (1,351 sq mi)1,351 sq mi (3,500 km²) · national park since 1998
The islands cover about 3,500 km² of land and surrounding sea (check).
Why go
- Remote bird and marine mammal colonies on uninhabited islands.
- Opportunity to see New Zealand sea lions and albatrosses in a pristine setting.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, daylight long
- FebMild, good sea conditions
- MarWarmest, calm seas
- AprCool, still navigable
- MayIncreasing storms
- JunStorms frequent
- JulHigh storm risk
- AugPeak storm season
- SepUnsettled weather
- OctImproving conditions
- NovClearer, start of season
- DecCool, daylight long
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern royal albatrossNov–Apr · Breeding colonies on Auckland Islands. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| New Zealand sea lionOct–May · Haul‑outs on rocky shores. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Various seabirds (petrels, albatrosses, penguins)Oct–May · Large colonies across islands. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Invercargill
Drive 2 h south to Bluff, then a chartered boat to the islands (usually from Bluff harbour).
≈4 h total
Open the page →
From Stewart Island
Ferry to Bluff, then charter boat; some operators launch from Stewart Island itself.
≈5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Campbell Island base | Landing site and research station area, limited visitor access. | Permit‑only, guided walks only. |
| Auckland Islands sector | Coastal cliffs and bird colonies. | Guided boat landings, no overnight stays. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of the island groups.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subantarctic Islands permit (including boat charter) | NZD 1,200–1,500 (≈ US$750–900) | person | Typical 2‑day cruise price, check with operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island access permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must hold a valid permit issued by the Department of Conservation.check
- Landing sites
- Only designated landing zones may be used; off‑track walking is prohibited.
- Wildlife interaction
- Keep distance from wildlife; no feeding or approaching nests.
- Fire
- Open fires are prohibited on all islands.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Invercargill
Hotels and B&Bs; base before boat charter.
Near the park
Stewart Island (Oban)
Hostels and lodges; alternative launch point.
Safety
Severe weather high
Cold exposure medium
Limited medical facilities medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- No road access; all visits are by boat and guided walks; not suitable for limited‑mobility visitors.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with operators that follow DOC guidelines and limit visitor numbers.
- Take all waste back to the mainland; no littering.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter New Zealand Subantarctic Islands?
A 2‑day permit‑included boat tour typically costs NZ$1,200–1,500 per person; exact price depends on operator and season.
What are the best hikes in New Zealand Subantarctic Islands?
Guided walks to seabird colonies on Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands are the main trails; they range from easy 1‑hour walks to moderate 3‑hour hikes.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand Subantarctic Islands?
November to March offers the most reliable weather and longer daylight; avoid July–September when storms are common.
Do I need a permit to visit?
Yes, all visitors must obtain a permit through a licensed tour operator; self‑guided access is not allowed.
Can I stay overnight on the islands?
Overnight stays are not permitted; visitors return to the mainland each night.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
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