Mason Bay is on Stewart Island. It’s located on the west coast of Stewart Island. I was told this is the most exposed beach in the country. The bay life is still in its original state with a vast swathe of dunes, no civilization, and only native plants, birds, and marine wildlife that come to rest on the beaches and enjoy the sunshine.
Long ago, the family “Kilbride” attempted to settle in this rough land to farm and raise sheep and cattle. However, transportation and communication with civilization were not established well enough for trade, and the idea of farming on such land soon fell. Their Kilbride homestead still exists, and it is now for rent.
How to plan
Going to Mason Bay is not a regular place to visit. Mason Bay is a remote place. There are no roads. You only can access it by air. So, there is some planning to do before jumping into the exploring Mason Bay journey. Below is a packing list of essentials you should bring along with your personal stuff. The house is powered by solar energy, and there is a water system for showers and kitchen use. Here is the list:
- waterproof jackets
- Hiking boots
- change of clothes and at least a warm jacket
- A sleeping bag and a pillow cover or a traveling pillow
- food supplies for as many days you will stay in Mason Bay
- Water bottles for each person. At least two liters per person.
- backpack
- batteries and flight light
- Sunscream and insect repellent
- Hat and sunglasses advised
We brought a satellite phone in case of emergency; if you have one, you should bring one. Because accidents happen, and you had better be safe than sorry. However, if you do not have this device, the Kilbride home has a radio to contact the mainland for emergencies.
We reached Mason Bay by air. A water taxi can also take you to Fresh Water Hut at high tide. Due to the shallow depth, boats cannot reach Mason Bay. You can go to Fresh Water Hut and follow the trail until Mason Bay, but be aware that the path can be inundated with water, so planning the trip and checking the forecast is critical.
Flying to Mason Bay is faster and easier. The flight is around NZD$400 round trip and takes five minutes in a little airplane that lands on the beach. Contact Stewart Island Flights to get your ticket. The experience is unique, and you are going to love it.
The departure to Mason Bay
The procedure of getting the tickets and check-in luggage is the same as any other flight, but this one is way cooler!😉
The arrival at Mason Bay
When the aircraft landed on the beach, the adventure started. The excitement was overwhelming. We walked to the Kilbride Homestead from the beach to drop our stuff.
The cabin was cozy, and we had the basics covered. The kitchen was fully equipped: gas cooker and coal range, well stocked with gas canisters to cook, food, water, and beers. There is plenty of cut wood for the fireplace.
There are two sets of bunks and two double beds with pillows. You have to use sleeping bags, although there are blankets available. The beds were comfortable, and the cabin was warm during the night. Two ladies preferred to sleep on the porch all night and said they had a good night.
The toilet was outside. Going to that toilet is definitely not pleasant. But when you have to go, you have to go…😵💫
Exploring Mason Bay
We went to Mason Bay with a group of people for photography. Catching beautiful sceneries and spending some time in the wilderness. Mason Bay is a stunning long beach of 14 km (almost 9 miles). The long sandy beach is covered with shells and bones of whales or seals. The isolation of this place gives you a feeling of peace because no other than the ocean, birds, or wind can be heard. No souls in sight. During the night, no light can be seen. The isolation is heavy, but it gives you a sense of calm and time to evaluate your objectives, experiences, and points of view with less judgment.
You might find more details on the Southlandnz website for the map and amenities.
And there we were, ready to start the evening…
The weather was not promising. It looked like we had rain coming. Suddenly, some drops of rain fell, but somehow it stopped. It was cold, but fortunately for us, the rain rearranged its schedule so that we could keep going.
Because the clouds constantly move due to strong winds, the sunset sky colors also change. What now had promising colors would soon change to something totally different. However, even with the constant changes, the sky was amazing.
Then, when the night came, we looked for wild Kiwis. We had seen some marks on the sand, so we knew they were around. Unfortunately, there were no Kiwis that night for us!
Morning Next Day
The night in the cabin was restful. The first sun bean illuminated the room to say Good Morning. I usually do not wake up for sunrise, but I couldn’t miss that one.🤩
After breakfast, I took some macro photography of the few flowers we had close by the cabin and later went to the beach. It was very windy and chilly, but it was really nice at that beach, just appreciating the beauty of it.
Now, it was time to leave… I loved Mason Bay but was ready to return to the noisy civilization.
I think it’s wild to see the beach from the cockpit of the aircraft window instead of seeing the landing runaway.
Exploring Mason Bay in Stewart Island was unique, and I loved it. If you are a person who likes new things and going out of your comfort zone, Mason Bay is a great experience. I think there is no better therapy than a day or two in Mason Bay.
A Good Traveler Has no Fixed Plans and is not Intent on Arriving –
Lao Tzu