Early Morning on Stewart Island, New Zealand

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I woke early on my first full day on Stewart Island and saw the promises of a nice day ahead. The photo above, taken from the hotel, shows the ferry terminal on the left. The ferry comes several times a day from Invercargill on the South Island. It brings not only tourists, but also necesary supplies for the Stewart Islanders. While I was there large bags of firewood had been landed on the wharf, waiting for collection. Although the island is coverd in lush NZ native forest, this is protected and not allowed to be chopped down at all. Consequently constructing a new building on the island is expensive, as it has to come from the mainland. Very few new buildings are built. The island is also predator free, to protect the forest and the native birds that are in abundance there. One of these birds is our native kiwi. I've never seen it in the wild, but as it is nocturnal I wasn't prepared to stay up late enough to go on a guided walk to see them. After taking this photo I went inside to enjoy a wonderful breakfast in the restaurant.