-
Stewart Island - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
Stewart Island is about to have a population explosion as on Tuesday the tiny island will play host to a cruise ship with more than 2,000 people on board.
It is the height of the summer season on Stewart Island and there is not a spare bed anywhere as visitors flock in, mostly by sea. But they will come off the water on Tuesday too, but in vastly bigger numbers.
"If the weather stays the way it is, it'll be fantastic. Like I said, we hope they all come back," says Jo Leask, Lodge Manager on Stewart Island.
The 61,000 tonne Volendan will berth in Golden Bay overnight and will begin disembarking it's guests at 8am.
It is probably not quite what most international tourists are used to, but the little jetty on Stewart Island is where around 100 visitors will begin their experience.
First to profit will be the island's handily placed mobile coffee shop.
"Business is going to be booming, people will be flowing and things are going to be fun," says coffee seller Kate Kelly.
The island's only supermarket is bulging with stock, extra staff have been hired for the day and they all ready for the unfamiliar territory of foreign exchange rates.
"Oh we're pretty good, we have a Stewart Island exchange rate, we're fine about that," says store owner Jill Skerrett.
Stewart Island has already hosted several small cruise ships this month and welcomes the growing trade.
"Any extra visitors to the island that spend a little bit of money has to be good for everybody," says community board chairman Barry Rhodes.
Kitchen staff are flat out and with the bulk of Tuesday's visitors being American or Australian, there is talk they will drink the pub dry.
"A lot of people on Stewart Island like to drink as well so we're also prepared for them so if they can't drink us dry, I don't think anyone can drink us dry," says Hotel Duty Manager Ayesha Green.
It is shaping as a day Stewart Islanders will never forget.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
