New Zealand : New Zealand Nature Tour

Day 1 Auckland-Tiritiri Matangi-Auckland Visit the nature reserve of Tiritiri Matangi Island, out in the Hauraki Gulf. This native bird sanctuary is home to the takahe, bellbird and kokako, among many other endemic species. Tuataras, the most ancient of all living reptiles, have also been reintroduced to the island. Overnight hotel in Auckland (B).  (Please note Tiritiri Matangi is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Day 2 Auckland-Rotorua (241 km) Drive to the Waitakere Forest Park and follow the Arataki Nature Trail to view giant kauri trees. Later head south to Miranda on the Firth of Thames where the extensive inter-tidal zone attracts many trans-equatorial and local wading birds. Drive through the fertile Waikato countryside to the thermal resort town of Rotorua. Overnight motel in Rotorua (B).

Day 3 Rotorua-Tongariro National Park (180 km) This morning you may like to visit Waimangu Valley Thermal Reserve.  Later drive across to the Pureora Forest which is home to the very rare Kokako. Continue south to Tongariro World Heritage Park for an overnight stay.  Overnight hotel in Tongariro National Park.

Day 4 Tongariro National Park-Napier (240 km) Explore the striking volcanic landscapes of the park on a choice of short walks before continuing along the scenic Taupo-Napier Highway to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, for an overnight stay.  Overnight Farmstay in Napier (D &B).

Day 5 Napier-Wairarapa (230 km) Join a morning overland safari to the Gannet Sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers.  Later explore some of the vineyards for which the area is renowned and make your way south to spend the night on a farm.  Overnight Homestay in Wairarapa (D & B).

Day 6 Wairarapa-Wellington (103 km) Visit the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, a research institute for studying the breeding and feeding habits of rare and endangered native birds. Continue to Wellington for an overnight stay. This evening enjoy a guided night tour by torchlight at Zealandia where some of Zealandia's most treasured residents, including kiwi, come out to hunt.  Alternatively you may like to visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum.  Overnight hotel in Wellington.

Day 7 Wellington-Picton-Kaikoura (157 km) Drop off your vehicle at Wellington’s ferry terminal and board the InterIslander Ferry for the scenic cruise across the Cook Strait. On arrival in Picton, collect your second rental vehicle and follow the coast road to Kaikoura for one night.  Overnight Farmstay (D & B)

Day 8 Kaikoura-Hanmer Springs (160 km) Join a morning whale watch to see Sperm, Humpback or Right Whales, which congregate in the deep water just offshore. You may also spot dusky dolphins, pelagic seabirds, seals and sea lions.  Later drive into the mountains for your overnight stay in Hanmer Springs, where you can relax in hot thermal pools or take one of several nature walks in the area.  Overnight in motel.

Day 9 Hanmer Springs-Greymouth (136 km) Drive to Lewis Pass National Reserve. Walk through the beech forest before continuing to the West Coast and the mining town of Greymouth for an overnight stay.  Overnight in motel.

Day 10 Greymouth-Fox Glacier (200 km) Drive south into Westland National Park, where fragile rainforests survive on a narrow strip of land between the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea. Between November and February you will visit the white heron colony on Okarito Lagoon. Walk to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier then stroll around stunning Lake Matheson, with the summits of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman mirrored in its tranquil waters.  Overnight in motel.

Day 11 Fox Glacier-Wanaka (260 km) Continue south along the West Coast, stopping off to explore Munro’s Beach, a breeding site for Fiordland Crested Penguins. Ship’s Creek and Thunder Creek Falls are among the many other secrets of this stunning region. Continue over Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka. Overnight in Homestay (D & B).

Day 12 Wanaka-Te Anau (273 km) Drive to the celebrated resort town of Queenstown overlooking Lake Wakatipu en route to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Visit the information centre and wildlife park and join a special excursion to the glow worm caves in the evening. Two nights in Farmstay (B)

Day 13 Te Anau-Milford Sound-Te Anau Take the spectacular drive through the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound. The Valley is one of the best birding spots in New Zealand.  Join a Nature cruise along the length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea, admiring waterfalls, fur seals, crested penguins and dolphins and the distinctive Mitre Peak. Return to Te Anau for the night.

Day 14 Te Anau-Stewart Island (157 km) Follow the Waiau Valley to the south coast and Invercargill.  Leaving your vehicle at the port of Bluff, take the ferry to Stewart Island, a must for naturalists. Recommended is the walk to Ackers Point to see little blue penguins and sooty shearwaters (between November and February). Overnight in hotel on Stewart Island for 2 nights.

Day 15 Stewart Island Take a boat transfer to Ulva Island Nature Reserve, rich in birdlife like kaka, red and yellow crowned parakeets, weka, tui, bellbirds etc.  In the evening join an excursion to see the Stewart Island kiwi – this is the only place in New Zealand where these timid nocturnal birds are reliably seen in the wild. (Tour operates on one night of the 2 night stay on Stewart Island - subject to weather conditions).

Day 16 Stewart Island-Dunedin (217 km) Catch the morning ferry back to the mainland and drive along the spectacular Catlins Coast to Dunedin. This is a major wildlife area and on the nearby Otago Peninsula you can see yellow-eyed penguins, royal albatrosses, cormorants and seals. Overnight in motel in Dunedin.

Day 17 Dunedin-Mt Cook region (331 km) Follow the coast road to the Moeraki Boulders then continue to Oamaru and its penguin colonies. Look out for Hector’s dolphins, which can be observed from the shore, before heading inland through the McKenzie Basin to Mt Cook National Park. Overnight in B&B in Twizel.

Day 18 Mt Cook region-Christchurch (331 km) En route to Christchurch you could visit Peel Forest, where there are a few woodland walks where you might see bellbirds, fantails, pigeon, rifleman and, if you are lucky, even New Zealand bats.   Christchurch is the gateway to Antarctica so you may also like to visit the International Antarctic Centre close to the airport.  Return your rental vehicle and depart.