Ackers Cottage

Ackers Cottage is a historic stone house located on Stewart Island, New Zealand.

It is one of the oldest stone buildings on the island and was built by Lewis Acker, a whaler, boatbuilder, trader, farmer, and sawmiller who arrived on the island in 1831. The cottage has been restored by Heritage New Zealand and the Department of Conservation and is now a popular tourist attraction.

Ackers Cottage is located on Leask Bay Road, Harrold Bay, on the eastern side of Stewart Island. The island is situated off the southern coast of New Zealand's South Island and is accessible by ferry or plane from Invercargill. Lewis Acker built the cottage in the early 1830s, making it the oldest whaling cottage in New Zealand. The cottage is an example of early vernacular building and has been placed on the Heritage New Zealand list of historic places (category I).

Lewis Acker's story is a fascinating one. Born into a well-to-do family who possessed a large estate in New York, Lewis decided society life was not for him. He left home at a young age and became a whaler, traveling the world and eventually settling on Stewart Island. He built the cottage using local stone and timber and lived there with his family until his death in 1885. Ackers Cottage is open to visitors and is a popular tourist attraction on Stewart Island. Visitors can explore the cottage and learn about its history and the life of Lewis Acker.

Ackers Cottage is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in New Zealand's history and culture. The cottage is a testament to the early settlers of Stewart Island and the hardships they faced. Visitors can learn about the life of Lewis Acker and explore one of the oldest stone buildings in New Zealand. With its beautiful location on the eastern side of Stewart Island, Ackers Cottage is a unique and fascinating destination that should not be missed. Visitors can also visit Ackers Point, which is home to one of New Zealand's few 'mainland' colonies of sooty shearwaters, and see these birds up close during the breeding season.