Bathing Beach

Wedding Ceremony

Ceremony

Reception

Stewart Island Community Centre

Our Wedding

Our Story

We're looking forward to celebrating our special day together on the beach! The ceremony will be held at Bathing Beach, and will begin at 12:00pm. From Oban, there are two ways to access Bathing Beach: Either walk past the Four Square and along Horseshoe Bay Road, up and over the hill, before turning right onto the track at the bottom of the hill. From here, follow the track down to the estuary and make your way to the end of the beach. Alternatively, you can turn right onto Kamahi Road once you pass the Red Shed. Continue past the church to the road end and make your way down the track to the far end of the beach. To fit in with the beach setting and keep things relatively informal, we'll bring some picnic blankets for seating (Rakiura also suffers from a critical chair shortage). Feel free to bring your own picnic blankets or camp chairs if you have them. Four seasons in one day is typical for Stewart Island weather. As we'll be in the outdoors, we recommend comfortable shoes, a warm layer, and insect repellent! If it really pours down, the Ceremony will instead be held at the Community Centre on Ayr Street.

The Reception will be held at the Stewart Island Community Centre on Ayr Street, with drinks and nibbles from 5pm and dinner at 6pm.

You can get to Stewart Island by plane from Invercargill or ferry from Bluff. For accommodation the Stewart Island backpackers offers good value for money. Alternatively, there are also a few BnB's and house rentals around Oban, as well as the South Sea Hotel. Rakiura has limited transport and accommodation options. If you're able to join us, we recommend booking transport to the island and accommodation early so there are more options available. Let us know if you need any help!

20 minute flights from Invercargill to Oban

Stewart Island Flights

Stewart Island Ferry

Stewart Island Backpackers

Other Accomodation options

Travel and Accomodation

There will be some free time between the ceremony and reception if you want to explore the island. If you're looking for ways to make the most of your time on Rakiura, here are some of our favourite things to do:

Take a water taxi to the predator free Ulva Island in Paterson Inlet for the best birdwatching on Rakiura

Ulva Island

We've had the most luck spotting kiwis on the track to Bathing Beach, at the Golf Course, or on the track to Ackers Point. Take a red light torch and try your luck after dusk or one hour before dawn

Kiwi Spotting

A short walk at the back of town with great views of Paterson Inlet and Ulva Island and a good place for bird spotting

Observation Rock

If you're planning to stay on the island after the wedding, the South Sea Hotel holds a pub quiz every Sunday night

South Sea Hotel Pub Quiz

Bookings for the 2025/26 season open on 15 May. If the huts are booked out, you can also get a water taxi to Port William Hut and walk out as a day trip.

Rakiura Track

An alternative overnight hike to the Rakiura Track that can be accessed by water taxi via Freshwater Hut (tide dependent) or via flight.

Mason Bay Hut

Walk out to Ackers Point just before sunset to watch the titi (muttonbirds) return to their nests. If you're lucky, you might also spot kiwi or korora (little blue penguins) on the walk home.

Ackers Point

A great way to explore Paterson Inlet and the Rakiura Coast, where you can see seals, sealions, penguins, albatross, and other seabirds

Sea Kayaking

Explore the kelp forests of Paterson Inlet, where you have the chance to spot seahorses, blue cod, octopus, sealions, and more

Snorkeling Tours

There are a number of water taxi companies that can take you to Ulva Island, Port William, Freshwater Hut, and around Paterson Inlet

Water Taxis

Grab a taste of Stewart Island from the Kai Kart - Stewart Island's fish and chip destination. We recommend a piece of blue cod, chips, and a pineapple ring!

Kai Kart

Things to Do

If this is your first time visiting Rakiura, don't forget to bring the following: RaincoatWarm layersComfortable footwearInsect repellentHead torch (for kiwi spotting)

Gabby & Nick

Gabby & Nick

G&N

Wedding Ceremony

Reception