The weather forecast pinned to the lounge wall in the Stewart Island Backpackers shows rain, gusting wind, highs of 6-9 degrees Celsius. A Stewart Island robin with a plump-looking white belly clings sideways to a thin trunk watching us eat lunch. Back at the backpackers, I discover we’ve hiked in the worst Stewart Island weather for the year. Protected in the forest, it didn’t seem so bad ... it was just a great adventure with a lot of wind, rain and mud. Getting there: Stewart Island is a 20-minute flight from Invercargill.

Source: Stuff March 21, 2021 19:41 UTC