The Freshwater River is the longest river on
Stewart Island
Stewart Island (, ' glowing skies', officially Stewart Island / Rakiura, formerly New Leinster) is New Zealand's third-largest island, located south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait.
It is a roughly triangular island with a la ...
, the third largest of New Zealand's islands. It arises close to the island's northwestern point, from which it is separated by a ridge, and flows southeastward through the
Ruggedy Flat for before reaching the
Paterson Inlet
Paterson Inlet (officially Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera) is a large natural harbour—specifically a ria—in the eastern coast of Stewart Island, New Zealand. Much of the land surrounding Paterson Inlet is unspoilt forest, and runoff into ...
on the island's central east coast. The Freshwater is the longest New Zealand river not to be located in either of the country's two main islands.
The river's catchment dominates much of the island's north, forming a wide swampy basin that covers some (almost a tenth of the island's total area).
A tramping track runs along the lower reach of the river.
References
Rivers of Stewart Island
{{Southland-river-stub