New Zealand

Bird & Nature Tour

About this Holiday

New Zealand in Depth are delighted to announce their new Bird & Nature Tour featuring the
unique and diverse wildlife of New Zealand and exploring many off the beaten track locations,
particularly on the South Island.
This 28 night exclusive nature-focused itinerary has been especially designed for those with a real
passion for New Zealands wildlife and extraordinary natural environment and for those who want
to make a positive contribution towards local conservation efforts. New Zealand is home to a
number of rare and endangered species, each with its own unique characteristics: kiwi, kokako,
kakapo, saddleback, mohua and tuatara. Much of its flora and fauna cannot be found anywhere
else on Earth.
This tour includes your transfers, transport, accommodation, some meals, excursions and
activities as shown in the itinerary.
Tour Types
There are three options to consider:
Self-drive with car hire, extensive driving notes and maps
Small group guided tour with departures scheduled in November and March
Privately guided tour with exclusive guide
Fitness Level
Ideal for those who are regular walkers and able to carry a day pack.
Costs
Price and inclusions are available from the New Zealand In Depth office on 01298 74040 or email
Sally Lilley at sally@newzealand-indepth.co.uk

ITINERARY
Day 1: arrive in Auckland You will be met and transferred to your accommodation in the city
centre. As you land in the City of Sails, your very first glimpse of New Zealand will see you
crossing the harbours of Auckland and the green-grassed slopes of dormant volcanoes above this
thriving Pacific city. Spend the early afternoon at leisure before an introduction to the world of the
Maori, New Zealands indigenous people, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Overnight:
Auckland

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Bird & Nature Tour
Day 2: Auckland & Tiritiri Matangi Island Sheltered within the Hauraki Gulf this island
sanctuary, reclaimed for nature through countless volunteer hours, is today a spectacle of
northern forest and birdlife. You will cross on the ferry to Tiri, as it is affectionately called, for a
day to explore the pathways and birdlife of this predator-free island. Overnight: Auckland
Day 3: Auckland & Muriwai Beach Today you will
explore the hidden secrets, the pathways, the wildlife,
the headland crowded with Australasian gannets at
Muriwai and the beaches of the Waitakere Ranges.
Overnight: Auckland
Day 4: Auckland Lake Taupo Today you will travel
to Turangi on the southern shore of Lake Taupo.
Overnight: Turangi
Day 5: Lake Taupo Today you have four options to choose from: a guided 12 mile hike on the
Tongariro Crossing, the best one day walk in New Zealand across volcanic landscapes; a gentle
raft down the Tongariro River, home to 10 of the remaining 1400 pairs of blue duck or whio;
fishing on the banks of Tongariro River; a leisurely drive around the area to key spots in search of
the blue duck and numerous other bird species. Overnight: Turangi
Day 6: Lake TaupoParaparaumuKapiti Island An early departure and a 3 hour journey
takes you south to Paraparaumu. On arrival you will transfer by ferry to Kapiti Island for an
overnight stay at the eco lodge. The lodges wildlife sanctuary programme includes full guiding at
the two entry areas and kiwi spotting in the evening. Overnight: Kapiti Island
Day 7: Kapiti IslandParaparaumuWellington The dawn chorus will wake you for
breakfast today, amidst wonderful birdsong and the call of the kaka and kokako. Later you will
return to the mainland at Paraparaumu and travel on to
Wellington, New Zealands capital city. The afternoon is
free to explore at your leisure whilst in the evening you
will visit Zealandia, an inner city reserve of international
importance, watch as dusk descends and the wildlife
changes to morepork and kiwi. Overnight: Wellington
Day 8: WellingtonMarlborough Sounds Today you
will leave the North Island and venture to the majestic
South Island. Depart early on the Interislander Ferry
from Wellington to Picton. Join the Seafood Odyssey cruise at Picton Wharf for a wonderful boat
trip through the Marlborough Sounds to Bay of Many Coves. On board you will get to enjoy a
tasting of fresh Marlborough seafood - Regal salmon, Tio Point oysters and green-lipped mussels.
Overnight: Marlborough Sounds
Day 9: Marlborough Sounds Today you will explore the Marlborough Sounds by kayak, walk
on the Queen Charlotte Track or you could just relax at Bay of Many Coves. Alternatively, see

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Bird & Nature Tour
the conservation work that the lodge is doing with the blue penguin nesting boxes. Overnight:
Marlborough Sounds
Day 10: Marlborough SoundsKaikoura Returning to
Picton by water taxi you will take the scenic route down the
east coast to Kaikoura where the mountains meet the sea.
Kaikoura, renowned as the whale watching capital of New
Zealand, is the point at which a deep ocean trench provides a
nutrient rich upswell which supports a huge concentration of
marine wildlife. Overnight: Kaikoura
Day 11: Kaikoura Today is a day of exploration in Kaikoura.
Early this morning you will join an Albatross Encounter adventure to explore the world of the
albatross. Afterwards you will have time for breakfast in Kaikoura, before joining the Whale
Watch guides to see sperm whales in the deep ocean. (Please note this tour is weather dependent
so an alternative option would be to swim with dolphins or enjoy a dolphin-watching cruise with
Dolphin Encounter or swim with the seals.)
Later this afternoon we can enjoy a walk on the Kaikoura Peninsula and experience more wildlife
sightings, explore the history of the town at Fyffe Cottage or visit the Maori Pa site and its classical
defence system of trenches on the crest of the peninsula. Overnight: Kaikoura
Day 12: KaikouraChristchurch Today you will take the scenic journey to Christchurch, via
the Waipara wine region, with opportunity for tastings. Visit Orana Park Wildlife Park as well as
The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust to hear about the special conservation work
undertaken. This is a private Trust and visits are limited and exclusive. Overnight: Christchurch
Day 13: Christchurch Today you will head to Akaroa to see Hectors dolphins, the smallest
and rarest dolphin in the world which only breeds in the waters around Banks Peninsula. After
lunch there is a visit to the white-flippered penguin colony before returning to Christchurch.
These rare penguins that nest only on the Banks Peninsula with around 3,750 breeding pairs.
Overnight: Christchurch
Day 14: ChristchurchHokitika Today you will have a
scenic journey across Canterbury Plains towards the
Southern Alps stopping at Lake Pearson to spot the very
rare Australian crested grebe. Short walks at Bealey Valley
beech and moss forest for robins, rifleman, silvereye and
fantails. Stop at Otira Viaduct Lookout to see kea, the
worlds only alpine parrot. Continuing across to the west
coast and Hokitika. Overnight: Hokitika
Day 15: HokitikaOkarito Known as The Coast, the narrow strip of land between the
Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps hosts an area of wilderness untouched by time and man.
Turning off the main highway your overnight stop is in Okarito, a small coastal village created
during the gold rush of 1860s, but now home to around 30 holiday baches (holiday homes). Join an

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Bird & Nature Tour
evening kiwi spotting tour to see the Okarito kiwi in its natural habitat. Overnight: a bach (kiwi
holiday home) in Okarito
Day 16: Okarito Today you will join a 2 hour nature cruise on the lagoon to explore the
waterways and over 70 species of bird including rare white heron and royal spoonbills. After lunch
you can relax or join a guided walk to the Trig View Point for stunning views of Mount Cook.
Overnight: Okarito Bach (kiwi holiday home)
Day 17: OkaritoWilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Today your journey continues down the
west coast with walks at Lake Matheson and Fox Glacier. At Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki you
will meet Dr Gerry McSweeney, scientist and conservationist, to learn about the treasures of the
local land and wildlife. You will also learn of the local conservation works. Overnight: Lake
Moeraki
Day 18: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Today
you will take a guided walk in search of Fiordland crested
penguins, the worlds second rarest penguin which
returns each year to a small number of beaches on the
west coast to breed (October and November only).
There are many activities available at the Lodge including
kayaking, fishing, forest walks or just relaxing. Overnight:
Lake Moeraki
Day 19: Lake MoerakiQueenstown Today you will travel from Lake Moeraki to Queenstown
via the lakeside route past Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Wakatipu with short walks at
Ships Creek, Fantail Falls and Blue Pools. Overnight: Queenstown
Day 20: Queenstown Relaxing day to explore Queenstown. Optional activities include wine
tour, 4x4 adventure to Skippers Canyon, Lord of the Rings tour, TSS Earnslaw Steam Boat trip to
Walter Peak Farm station. Overnight: Queenstown
Day 21: Queenstown-Te Anau Today you will travel to Te Anau, the Gateway to Fiordland,
stopping at Mavora Lakes for a short walk. Overnight: Te Anau
Day 22: Te Anau Today you will join Trips & Tramps for a half day guided walk on the Kepler
Track. An optional activity is to join a glow worm tour on Lake Te Anau. Overnight: Te Anau
Day 23: Te AnauDoubtful Sound Today you will travel into the heart of Fiordland crossing
Lake Manapouri and over Wilmot Pass into Doubtful Sound for an overnight cruise with your
dedicated and highly experienced nature guide. Explore from the depths of the fiord to the
Tasman Sea, watch for resident dolphins, kayak and learn of the unique seabed environment in
these waters created by a freshwater layer sitting at the surface. Overnight: on board Fiordland
Navigator
Day 24: ManapouriStewart Island You will return to Manapouri by midday and then travel
across the South Island to Stewart Island crossing the fertile Southland plains to Invercargill and

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the port of Bluff. Here we take the ferry to Stewart Island. Rakiura National Park, encompassing
the majority of Stewart Island, is New Zealands newest park, the township of Oban, nestled
around Halfmoon Bay and into Paterson Inlet, is the only
village. Overnight: Stewart Island
Evening: kiwi watch programme for Stewart Island Brown Kiwi
(alternate activity: talk by local Department of Conservation staff
member).
Day 25: Stewart IslandUlva Island Ulva Island in
Paterson Inlet is iconic for its birdlife, its history and its forest.
Walk the pathways across the island, surprise yourself as the
path arrives to a beautiful remote white sand beach, and experience saddlebacks that flit across
the air and friendly robins watch as you pass. This is a morning to treasure on this very special
reserve and in the afternoon you will join a pelagic birding trip to see Bullers, Salvins, royal and
wandering albatross, shearwaters and petrels. Overnight: Stewart Island
Day 26: Stewart Island Explore Stewart Island with options around boat trips, guided tour of
Stewart Island. Overnight: Stewart Island
Day 27: Stewart IslandCatlins Forest ParkDunedin An early morning departure today
from Stewart Island. You will follow the Southern Scenic Route to the little known Catlins Forest
Park. From the Cathedral Caves on the beach to populations of mohua (yellowhead) in the beech
forest, your hosts Mary and Fergus will walk with you
into the forest sharing their passion for this area.
Overnight: Dunedin
Day 28: Dunedin You will start the day by visiting
Orokonui Eco Sanctuary just north of Dunedin for a
guided walk. Opportunities to see kaka, takahe, tui,
bellbirds, silvereye, fernbird, grey warbler, rifleman,
Otago skink, jewelled gecko and tuatara. In the afternoon
we head to the Otago Peninsula for the northern royal
albatross, yelloweyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions and cormorants who thrive on the
southern ocean up swellings around the Otago Peninsula and we share their home for the day.
Overnight: Dunedin
Day 29: depart Dunedin and international flight connection Today you will travel to
Dunedin airport and connect with your international departing flight.

What Next?
Contact New Zealand In Depth for further information, detailed itinerary, cost and inclusions
01298 74040 or email Sally Lilley at sally@newzealand-indepth.co.uk.

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