Mount Stewart is located 119 kilometres (74 mi) northwest of Christchurch in Arthur's Pass National Park.

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,210 metres (3,970 feet) above the Waimakariri River Valley in 2.5 kilometres, and 1,150 metres (3,773 feet) above the Crow Valley in 1.5 kilometres.

The nearest higher peak is Mount Guinevere, 2.1 kilometres to the north.

[6] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow.

The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.