Wildlife Encounters

On arrival in Auckland you’ll be met and transferred to your city hotel. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland’s bustling shopping district, chic waterfront bars and restaurants combine with the city’s sights, such as the Harbour Bridge and the distinctive Sky Tower, which offers inspiring views of the city and its stunning surrounds.

The following day board a half-day cruise into the Hauraki Gulf, considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world. It is also one of the world’s richest habitats for marine mammals: 22 species of dolphins and whales have been seen here. You may spot small pods of dolphins playing around the boat or be spellbound by the spectacle of a feeding frenzy involving sea birds, dolphins, and whales.

Collect your rental car from the city depot and drive to the seaside township of Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula, a region filled with rainforest-clad gorges and pohutukawa-fringed beaches, such as Cathedral Cove.

Explore at your leisure today, perhaps enjoying a soak in the thermal springs on Hot Water Beach, or a kayaking adventure at Cathedral Cove. Coromandel Town, at the northernmost part of the peninsula, is also worth a visit, with wonderful restaurants, bars and local craft shops on offer.

This morning continue your journey along the Pacific Coast to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, for a 2-night stay. Napier is set in the heart of Hawke’s Bay Wine Country and is best known for its Art Deco architecture. The city was rebuilt in the early 1930s, following a major earthquake and subsequent fires which destroyed most of its commercial heart. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco – in such a concentrated area.

Today enjoy a half day tour to the world’s largest, most accessible gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. You will travel through the stunning scenery of Cape Kidnappers Station, traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, through stands of native bush, steep gullies and breathtaking inclines. Enjoy panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay right across to the Mahia peninsula before arrival at the gannet colony where your guide will share fascinating facts about these eye-catching birds. Please note during May-August when the gannets are overseas a scenic safari tour is included.

This morning make your way south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Set between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, this compact city has great shopping, theatre, memorable arts, culture and heritage and great cafes and restaurants, all surprisingly close to untouched nature spots. A visit to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, is highly recommended.

Make your way to Paraparaumu Beach to board the passenger ferry to Kapiti Island. This internationally renowned sanctuary is home to a number of native birds and other New Zealand wildlife, whilst the surrounding waters are a protected marine reserve. An overnight stay on this very special island includes a guided walk in search of wild kiwi.

This morning take the ferry back to the mainland and continue by car to Wellington to board the Interislander ferry. The scenic cruise across Cook Strait offers the chance to see dolphins and other marine wildlife, as well as the beautiful islands and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. Disembark in Picton and follow the coast road south to Kaikoura.

Today enjoy a whale watching excursion against a backdrop of the snowcapped Kaikoura Ranges.

Sperm whales are year-round residents off the Kaikoura coast but you are also likely to see New Zealand fur seals, huge pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross circling overhead. Orcas and the diminutive Hector’s dolphins are also commonly spotted, whilst seasonal visitors may include migrating humpback, pilot, blue, and southern right whales.

Continue your journey south to Christchurch today. Enjoy time at leisure exploring this compact, yet vibrant city centred around the River Avon. Punt down the river and enjoy the delightful botanical gardens or visit the famous cardboard cathedral and novel container mall.

This morning rise early to board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through spectacular gorges through Arthur’s Pass and on to Greymouth, located on the South Island’s wild west coast. On arrival pick up a car and continue by road to beautiful Lake Moeraki. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, in the heart of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area (Te Waipounamu, or ‘the place of greenstone jade’). The lodge is the perfect base for nature lovers seeking a wilderness escape, and will be your home for the next 2 nights.

Today enjoy an included guided nature tour – perhaps hike through the surrounding rainforest, join a kayaking lesson on Lake Moeraki, or take an evening stroll to discover the stars of the southern sky and marvel at thousands of glow worms lighting up the forest. Additional guided activities can also be arranged at the lodge (payable locally), allowing the chance to explore further afield in a small group. A popular option is to head down to the beach to witness the tawaki, or Fiordland crested penguin, which is found only in the southwest corner of New Zealand. From July to December each year these rare penguins can be seen waddling from the ocean to the rainforest, where they nest.

Continue south along the West Coast and over Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka. This beautiful lakeside town has an abundance of outdoor activities in a stunning natural setting. It lies in close proximity to Mt Aspiring National Park and is the ideal location for keen hikers and those wanting to explore pristine wilderness landscapes.

Enjoy mountain views and fertile farm country on the scenic drive to Te Anau. Situated beside a tranquil lake, this charming township is the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

This morning travel to Pearl Harbour, Manapouri from Te Anau. Here you will be transferred by lake and over a high pass to remote Deep Cove, where you will board a catamaran for a 3 hour cruise on Doubtful Sound. Enjoy spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforest and majestic mountains and watch out for fur seals or resident pods of bottlenose dolphins. As the engines are turned off you will understand why this majestic corner of paradise is nicknamed the ‘Sound of Silence’.

Follow the Waiau Valley to the south coast and board the passenger ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island. During the crossing, keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins and a variety of sea birds, in particular the huge mollymawks (albatross) which often follow the vessel.

New Zealand’s third largest island is an unmissable treat for nature lovers: nearly 90% of Stewart Island is National Park, boasting lush rainforest, rugged peaks and windswept beaches. The island is home to just 400 humans and over 13,000 wild kiwi, whilst nearby Ulva Island is a predator free bird sanctuary providing a safe haven for a wealth of endemic birdlife.

Today you will join a guided to tour to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary, a unique predator-free environment with easy walking tracks through temperate rainforest. This half-day tour is led by experienced natural history guides and birding specialists, who share their love of this special island and its wild inhabitants. Discover New Zealand’s rare and endangered birds and plants at close quarters and take away the knowledge that you have glimpsed a part of a unique and primeval world.

Return to Bluff by ferry this morning and make your way via the spectacular Catlins Coast to Dunedin. This scenic drive weaves its way around rugged headlands alongside the lush native bush of the Catlins Forest Park. Allow plenty of time for stops along the way to discover hidden lakes, stunning waterfalls and deserted golden beaches, with the chance to spot marine life offshore.

Dunedin is a vibrant student city with historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, but it’s the nearby Otago Peninsula that is the real draw. Here you’ll find an abundance of unique and rare wildlife, including the very rare yellow-eyed penguin. Today a guided tour through the penguin colony is included, offering close-up viewing opportunties from covered trenches and observation huts. Your guide will explain the habits and lifecycles of these fascinating birds. If time permits you may also wish to visit the nearby Royal Albatross colony (additional cost).

Depart Dunedin and make your way to Christchurch for your final night in New Zealand.