Oban, New Zealand

Oban is the main town on New Zealand's Stewart Island Iceland, the southernmost inhabited island of New Zealand. Administratively it belongs to the region of Southland. Oban is on the Bay Half Moon Bay ( sometimes the name of the bay is used as a synonym for the place name ).

The place was named after Oban in Scotland, probably from one of the Scottish settlers, who played an important role in the early stages of colonization of New Zealand's South.

According to the 2001 census the island had a total of 387 permanent residents, this represents a decrease of 30 since 1996. These, about 80 % live in Oban. More recent estimates suggest about 400 inhabitants. The island experienced a slight economic recovery and has received several million in support funds from the government, since the tourism significantly increased since the opening of Rakiura National Park.

The place has a flight to Invercargill and a ferry to Bluff. Occasionally, make cruise ships stop in Oban. They do not anchor in the relatively narrow Half Moon Bay, but in the Paterson Bay and take passengers with tender boats to a small investor in the Golden Bay. From there it is about 700 m along a ridge to Oban.

Swell

• Place in the region of Southland
• Stewart Iceland