Birds Ferry Lodge B&B, West Coast New Zealand

15/06/2026

13/06/2026

POSTCARD 29
Location: Stewart Island / Rakiura, South Island, New Zealand

Stewart Island sits at the bottom of the South Island, separated from it by the Foveaux Strait. Most New Zealanders have not been there. Most visitors do not think to go.

There are no traffic lights. The permanent population is around 400. Ninety percent of the island is national park. It is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can see a wild kiwi foraging on a beach at dusk without a guided tour.

The ferry crossing takes one hour. It crosses into a different kind of place.

Is Stewart Island on your radar?

13/06/2026

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Location: The West Coast Road, South Island, New Zealand

There is a stretch of road on the West Coast of New Zealand that runs between mountains and sea for more than 600 kilometres.

The Tasman Sea is on one side. The Southern Alps are on the other. Glaciers come down to rainforest. Whitebait fritters are served in small cafes where the locals do not need to look at the menu.

Most people drive it once. Those who know it well slow down, stop more often, and stay longer than they planned.

Where did the West Coast surprise you most?

11/06/2026

"A wonderful stay. The hospitality felt genuine and sincere, nothing rushed or formulaic. We felt very well looked after."

We always aim to offer hospitality that feels genuine rather than routine. When a guest reflects that back to us in a review, it confirms we are delivering what we promise.

birdsferrylodge.com

10/06/2026

#7: West Coast Sunset

No two West Coast sunsets are ever quite the same.

Some evenings arrive softly with pastel colours and calm seas. Others explode into fiery reds, oranges and golds that seem almost impossible to believe.

The only certainty is that every sunset is different.

One of the great pleasures of travelling slowly is having time to stop and watch the day come to an end.

Are you a sunrise person or a sunset person?

08/06/2026

Postcard #8: Arthur's Pass

The journey can be every bit as memorable as the destination.

Arthur's Pass cuts through the Southern Alps, connecting Canterbury and the West Coast through some of New Zealand's most spectacular mountain scenery.

Towering peaks, braided rivers, waterfalls and alpine villages make this one of the country's great road trips.

Many visitors plan a quick drive through. Most wish they had stayed longer.

What is the most memorable drive you've ever taken?