Which Should You Visit?
Both destinations promise isolation, but deliver it differently. The Faroe Islands serve up 18 windswept islands between Iceland and Norway, where grass-roof villages dot landscapes of dramatic cliffs and fjords. You'll find established hiking infrastructure, reliable transport links, and that distinctive Nordic aesthetic of moody light and architectural restraint. Stewart Island sits 30 kilometers south of New Zealand's South Island, offering something rawer: dense temperate rainforest, deserted beaches, and New Zealand's best chance to spot kiwi birds in the wild. The Faroes feel like a refined wilderness experience with cultural depth, while Stewart Island operates as pure nature immersion with minimal human overlay. Your choice depends on whether you want dramatic Nordic scenery with cultural touchstones, or untouched New Zealand bush with serious wildlife encounters.
| Faroe Islands | Stewart Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Well-developed road network connects all villages with regular helicopter and ferry services. | Limited roads, basic accommodation, and weather-dependent flights from Invercargill. |
| Wildlife Focus | Seabirds and occasional whale sightings, but cultural attractions dominate. | Kiwi birds, yellow-eyed penguins, and fur seals are the main draw. |
| Weather Reliability | Consistently unpredictable with frequent rain and wind year-round. | Notoriously changeable with flights often cancelled due to weather. |
| Hiking Character | Dramatic cliff walks and village-to-village routes with established waymarking. | Bush tracks through dense forest, often muddy and poorly maintained. |
| Cultural Depth | Strong Nordic identity with grass-roof architecture and Faroese language preservation. | Minimal cultural attractions beyond basic maritime heritage at Oban. |
| Vibe | windswept Nordic landscapesgrass-roof architecturemoody atmospheric lightisolated village life | untouched temperate rainforestdeserted golden beachesserious wildlife encountersoff-grid remoteness |
Infrastructure
Faroe Islands
Well-developed road network connects all villages with regular helicopter and ferry services.
Stewart Island
Limited roads, basic accommodation, and weather-dependent flights from Invercargill.
Wildlife Focus
Faroe Islands
Seabirds and occasional whale sightings, but cultural attractions dominate.
Stewart Island
Kiwi birds, yellow-eyed penguins, and fur seals are the main draw.
Weather Reliability
Faroe Islands
Consistently unpredictable with frequent rain and wind year-round.
Stewart Island
Notoriously changeable with flights often cancelled due to weather.
Hiking Character
Faroe Islands
Dramatic cliff walks and village-to-village routes with established waymarking.
Stewart Island
Bush tracks through dense forest, often muddy and poorly maintained.
Cultural Depth
Faroe Islands
Strong Nordic identity with grass-roof architecture and Faroese language preservation.
Stewart Island
Minimal cultural attractions beyond basic maritime heritage at Oban.
Vibe
Faroe Islands
Stewart Island
North Atlantic
New Zealand
Faroe Islands connect directly from Copenhagen and Reykjavik. Stewart Island requires flights to New Zealand first, then connections through Invercargill.
Faroe Islands deliver more consistently dramatic cliff and fjord scenery. Stewart Island offers dense forest and beaches rather than grand vistas.
Faroe Islands offer hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnb across multiple villages. Stewart Island has limited options, mostly basic lodges in Oban.
Faroe Islands work well with buses and organized tours. Stewart Island requires walking, as there are virtually no roads outside Oban.
Stewart Island provides much higher chances of significant wildlife encounters, especially kiwi birds and marine mammals.
If you love both, consider Shetland Islands or Tasmania's remote southwest - places where dramatic landscapes meet serious isolation and wildlife encounters.