Kakapo 20 day New Zealand Tour

This award-winning museum tells a fascinating story of the pioneering days through the use of kauri timber and kauri gum. Settlers first came to Matakohe in 1862. There is a magnificent collection of antique kauri furniture, restored machinery including New Zealand's earliest tractor, and a turning Steam Sawmill. The museum also has the largest collection of kauri gum in the world.

The spiritual environment of the Waipoua Forest provides a natural stage for an unforgettable encounter with some of the largest remaining Kauri trees in the world. We learn how these trees are inter-twined with the lives of local Maori and the important role they play in the eco-system that is the Waipoua Forest.

The Hokianga Express is a family owned and operated business specialising in tours across the Hokianga harbour to the magnificent 500 foot high Sand dunes, to experience the unique activity of "Sandboarding". This involves sliding down the vertical slopes of the sand dunes, on sandboards and if you want to, into and out over the clean, clear waters of the Hokianga Habour. For those who are less adventurous exploring the dunes by foot is a great option.

Encounter these intelligent and playful mammals. Capture this extraordinary experience by swimming alongside dolphins* in the warmest waters in NZ. Remember it forever! Mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit provided for those that choose to swim. Your vessel is the biofuel-powered yellow and black Dolphin Discovery III catamaran and is purpose built for dolphin viewing and swimming. It has outdoor observation decks to get you up close and personal with the local mammals.

*Once we find a pod of dolphins, Department of Conservation regulations will determine whether a swim is possible. Swimming is optional; you need to be a confident swimmer.

A prominent building in the historic precinct is the Whare Runanga, a Maori meeting house standing as a monument to the nation, its people, and its ancestors.

Unlike most Whare Runanga which are built as a monument to a particular tribe and their ancestors, this one contains carvings representing tribes from all over New Zealand.

The Glowworm and Limestone Cave tours were first established in the 1950’s by Te Tawai Kawiti, Great grandson of the famous Maori Chief, Kawiti.

Te Tawai offered a unique insight into early Maori history and culture, while visitors enjoyed the stunning glow worm displays and rock formations.
Since then, Te Tawai’s descendants have followed in his footsteps; acting as living links to the past and making history come alive with their entertaining commentary and rich local knowledge.

Our lunch stop is the Trellis Tearoom at Raupara Watergardens. You will enjoy wandering among Rapaura’s beautiful 64 acres of native trees, lily ponds, bridges, streams and a cascading waterfall.

The Cathedral is a gigantic arched cavern that penetrates the headland between two coves. It gives an air of grandeur to the whole of the beach.

The headland of Cathedral Cove is the site of an ancient Maori Pa (fortified village).

Cathedral Cove beach is sandy with a Pohutukawa tree backdrop—a perfect place for a picnic followed by a swim.

You will be the guest of our Maori hosts who will give you a personal and authentic experience where you will learn about..

Their ancestors.

The dynamics of the village - birth, life, religions, songs, dance, education and death.

How they live amongst the hot springs and utilise the awesome force of nature.

Guests have the chance to helm Tiua, hoist the sails and grind the winches, try their hand at trout fishing, leap off to swim in the fresh water or soak in the natural mineral hot pools that are only accessible by boat.

The knowledgeable skipper and crew are always happy to share local legends during your cruise and they'll point out some of the many historic and culturally significant sites of Lake Rotoiti.

Tiua (Maori for ‘ride the wind’) has a large spacious deck with bean bags and nets to spread out on at the bow. The comfortable saloon and cockpit areas are fully weather tight with clear roll down curtains allowing us to cruise, fish and soak in any weather.

Enjoy lunch in a private lodge hosted by Karen Walmsley in a beautiful setting above Lake Tarawera. Karen’s links with the region go back to her great great grandmother, Sophia, the most famous guide on the renowned Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed by the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886

Discover the essence of Rotorua at the museum: its people, culture and volcanic landscape. Learn of the great stories and legends that have shaped the past and present of this fascinating region. The theatre experience is not to be missed.

This evening enjoy a premier cultural experience. The Rotorua region and its Te Arawa peoples are known as the tribe of hospitality and the performing arts is their speciality. Guests are treated to a polished performance of song and dance. Afterwards, a banquet is provided - both the traditional Hangi, where food is steam cooked by hot rocks in the earth, and contemporary cuisine.

Cross the beautiful Waikato River and discover Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park.
Also known as the Hidden Valley, Orakei Korako is a unique geothermal wonderland. Explore a world of gushing geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some of the most amazing silica terraces in the world, noted as being the largest mass since the Pink and White Terraces on the edge of Lake Rotomahana were destroyed by the Mt Tarawera eruption.

At the Huka Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a 20m drop. Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool.

The name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam', which is appropriate as the falling water and rapids certainly resembles foam, especially under flooding conditions.

Get out of town and take a dekko at Napier’s outer Art Deco attractions. Our tour takes you along the Marine Parade and around the Napier Hill to historic Ahuriri, the oldest part of Napier and its original port, to the renowned National Tobacco Company building. Then on to the Deco houses and gardens of Marewa, Napier’s 1930s Art Deco suburb. You’ll return to the Art Deco Shop via Georges Drive, through suburbs reclaimed from swamps by engineers on the one hand and by the 1931 earthquake on the other, and then along Marine Parade.

See many of New Zealand's endangered birdlife and wildlife up close, including the primeval tuatara a "living fossil" reptile whose ancestors were on earth with the dinosaurs. Look out for the rare Takahe, nocturnal kiwis and the crazy Kaka - forest parrots that will entertain you with their antics. Operated by the Department of Conservation, the breeding programme is year round.

The 92km journey between Wellington and Picton takes just three hours. The ferries are well equipped with café and bar service and a movie theatre. Cruise out of Wellington Harbour and across Cook Strait and cruise up Queen Charlotte Sound. It's been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world".

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre houses a display like no other and you don’t have to be an aviation buff to enjoy it! Human stories from the Great War come to life in a theatrical theatrical treatment, which is innovative and visually stunning.

Snorkelling with wild New Zealand Fur Seals, in the shallow waters of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula, truly is an amazing experience. It's one of those simple nature experiences that opens your mind to the sheer magnificence of our natural environment and its amazing inhabitants. A truly breath taking nature activity. You won’t believe how curious, friendly and playful New Zealand Fur Seals can be in the water. October through May only.

Your opportunity to experience encounters of the marine kind. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round local residents. There's every chance you will also see New Zealand fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Alternatively a flight over the whales can be arranged.

This tour takes you by boat off the Kaikoura Coast to visit the largest wingspan in the world and an incredible range of pelagic (ocean living) birds.
It is the vast offshore canyons, with their nutrient rich waters, which is responsible for the variety of sea-life off Kaikoura. A travel time of only fifteen mintues by boat is required to commence viewing the pelagic birds including; twelve species of albatross, penguins, gannetts, skuas, shearwaters, petrels and terns.

The dedicated Albatross Encounter vessel has been adapted for maximum wildlife viewing opportunities and on board identification guides. A full species list and souvenir information pack is provided by the skipper for every tour.

Ian Mackenzie’s grandfather came to Akaunui just after World War 11. Ian and Di Mackenzie now farm 1200 acres, mostly arable farming with 2000 ewes and about 100 head of cattle. The homestead sits in park-like grounds looked after by Di, a passionate gardener. The house is just over 100 years old, built from bricks made at the local kiln and finished with rimu native timber

Meet Chef Sean Brown in his kitchen as he prepares your evening meal. Sean, an award-winning Chef de Cuisine, has extensive experience in the industry with a menu that presents diners with a classic New Zealand cuisine, featuring locally sourced ingredients including lamb, beef, salmon and venison. All dishes are prepared in the kitchen, including desserts, ensuring freshness and the highest class of presentation.

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching a height of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). Aoraki / Mount Cook consists of three summits lying slightly south and east of the main divide, the Low Peak, Middle Peak and High Peak, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the Hooker Glacier to the west.

An up close amazing encounter with icebergs, on a glacial terminal lake. We have a pleasant trip to the Tasman Valley, followed by an easy 1/2hr stroll through the National Park. Then board your MAC boat, and enjoy the ever changing ice face of the Tasman Glacier icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Commentary throughout the trip by your experienced guide

Catch the Gondola to the Skyline Chalet. You'll be on top of the world surrounded by stunning views of lakes and mountains. Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex on Bob's Peak.

Enjoy a scenic flight to the stunning and dramatic scenery of Milford Sound. Whatever the fiord's mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you. Luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. Iconic Mitre Peak dominates the skyline.

Catch the coal fired, vintage steamship tss Earnslaw to cruise down the lake. On the 10am, 12pm, 2pm cruise there is the option to stop off at Walter Peak Station for a farm tour. Operating since 1912, the tss Earnslaw is the best way to take in the magnificent scenery. Every cruise allows you plenty of time to explore the ship’s decks and bridge, view the engine room and historic displays and even join a sing-along with the ship's pianist!

Drive the beautiful Wakatipu lakeside road to the small settlement of Glenorchy to join the Dart River safari. Jet boat in the spectacular scenery of the Dart River valley and walk in the beech forests with your guide in the heart of The Lord of the Rings country.

Enjoy a drink on MoaTrek. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cardrona Valley, the Cardrona Hotel opened in 1863 and is one of New Zealand's oldest hotels. This tranquil rural setting boasts a hotel steeped in history from the gold rush era. While dry tussock gently ripples in the breeze, enjoy a drink and browse the hotel's impressive collection of local memorabilia from years gone by.

Mount Aspiring National Park (established in 1964) is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise and a must for mountaineers. The views are endless and unforgettable.

The Franz Josef Glacier is a unique relic of the last Ice Age. Spectacular views of this dramatic landscape are gained from a short valley walk to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face

Fox and Franz Josef glaciers Mount Cook Ski Planes offer spectacular alpine scenic flights. Their aircraft take you directly into the heart of the Southern Alps including Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at over 3750m and the Tasman Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the world. After an awe inspiring flight through breathtaking scenery your ski equipped aircraft lands on one of the glaciers in the Mount Cook or Westland National Park, where you are able to experience the "natural quiet" of the mountains. It really is an ever-lasting experience. Scenic flights on the West Coast vary in price depending on the length of flight and whether you land on the glaciers. Fixed wing flights from with glacier landing and for a scenic flight without landing.

Okarito Lagoon covers more than 3240 hectares of shallow open water is well known for its birdlife. The lagoon is a common feeding ground for kotuku (white heron) and royal spoonbill, both breed in the nearby Waitangiroto Nature reserve.
Exploring the open water and rive channels that lead you deep into heart of the rainforests is like stepping back in time to pre-European conditions. A clear day offers magnificent views of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.

This beautiful bird breeds only in a single secret location in what is one of the most romantic parts of the country. The continued survival of white herons has been one of the major successes of the early stages of wildlife conservation in New Zealand, bearing in mind that had they been an endemic bird they would long have been on the “critically endangered” list.

The jet boat ride is a gentle 20 minutes each way. From the jetty it is just a short boardwalk (500 metres) to where you can stay for 30 to 40 minutes to watch the birds. All tours are accompanied by a nature guide.

The Glacier Hot Pools are fed by the waters of Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere, the frozen tears of Hinehukatere for her lost love. According to the legends of Ngai Tahu (the local Maori tribe), these tears of aroha (love) were frozen by the gods, forming what is known worldwide as the Franz Josef Glacier, or to Ngai Tahu as Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere – The Frozen Tears of Hinehukatere.

The carvers at the Jade Factory in Hokitika work exclusively with Pounamu. The carvers and staff Pounamu is a non-renewable, limited and therefore precious resource. The Government of New Zealand has declared Pounamu to be a resource managed and distributed exclusively by Maori.

Get a close up view of the glass blower’s art at the designer glass studio created by owners Barry and Judy Wilson and their two sons.

At Punakaiki take the short board walk through native bush out to the limestone “pancake” rocks and blowholes. If the tide is right blowholes will be spreading clouds of spray.

The award winning Jacobs Restaurant provides the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the restaurant for true beach-front dining above this rugged West Coast beach. Alternatively, you can dine al fresco on the balcony, only metres from the crashing waves.

The Kea's notorious urge to explore and manipulate makes this bird a favourite of New Zealanders. Called "the clown of the mountains" their curiosity leads them to peck and carry away unguarded items of clothing or to pry apart rubber parts of cars—to the entertainment and sometimes annoyance of human observers.

The karst landscape is formed by limestone rock erodes into the sculptured landforms. The traditions and knowledge associated with this landscape are still held and valued by present day Maori. Kura Tawhiti now has Topuni status, symbolizing a chiefly cloak of protection. This recognizes the area's significance to the early Maori and the role of their Ngai Tahu descendants in the continuing protection of its cultural values.