Return to nature
(A two week experience of the ancient forests of New Zealand, its flora and fauna, New Zealand beaches, and marine life)
Geographically isolated and geologically juvenile, New Zealand’s diverse landscape is a paradise for marine and bird life. Explore the ancient Northland forests for wild nocturnal Kiwi birds. Discover prehistoric Te Wahipounamu – a remote World Heritage Site of exceptional contrast and beauty - on a sea-to-mountain jet boat safari. Laze on the Bay of Islands golden beaches, or fly over playful dolphins and past the thundering waterfalls of Fiordland.
All accommodation as follows
- 2 nights Waipoua Forest Lodge, Kauri Coast - Northland
- 2 nights Cavalli Island Retreat, Bay of Islands
- 2 nights Ngaio Bay Homestay*
Feel nurtured after a day at Ngaio Bay Bed & Breakfast. There is breath-taking natural beauty, a private beach, scrumptious home-grown organic fruit and vegetables, fresh seafood, stunning sunsets, and comfortable private cottage accommodation.
Eco-friendly Ngaio Bay Homestay is Kiwi Green Certified. They also offer to offset your carbon footprint through Kiwi Green Regeneration., Marlborough Sounds - 1 night Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura
- 1 night Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge*
New Zealand author David McLeod owned this sheep station (from 1930 to 1978) and made it, and the South Island’s high country, famous in a series of books. Still a working sheep farm, Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass is proud to protect nature and also run a merino wool-farming programme.
With amazing mountain views, the Alpine Lodges are nestled in sandstone rocks and beech forest. Explore nature and high country life in the place Maori called Te Ko Awa a Aniwaniwa (Valley of the Mother of the Rainbows)., Southern Alps - 2 nights Collyer House, West Coast
- 2 nights Whare Kea Lodge, Wanaka
Other details
- Full gourmet breakfast provided daily
- Pre-dinner drinks, canapés and dinner provided at Waipoua Forest Lodge, Cavalli Island Retreat, Ngaio Bay Homestay, Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge, and Whare Kea Lodge
- Selected lodge activities included
- Selected beverages included
All activities as follows
- Guided night kiwi bird spotting*
A rare and exclusive opportunity to see kiwi in the wild; the guided night walk in the Trounson Kauri Park is a popular and easy walk for most everyone. For one and a half hours enjoy a leisurely stroll through the forest to observe the rare kiwi bird and other nocturnal native species in their natural habitat. - Deep sea fishing and dolphin watching*
The Cook Strait’s nutrient rich currents feed the French Pass and d’Urville Island waterways attracting kingfish and snapper. Fish for these or groper, blue cod, terakihi, john dory, gurnard, or many others. And meet the other ‘fishermen’ of these abundant waters migrating bottlenose or dusky dolphins, a rare orca or whale. - Heli whale watching
- High country Merino sheep mustering/shearing
- Guided nature walk, penguin, seal and bird watching
- Waiatoto River safari and jet boat experience*
On the Waiatoto River jet boat through spectacular mountain scenery, dense rain forest, and waterfalls. The safari guide regularly stops to share knowledge about Te Wahipounamu The Southwest New Zealand World Heritage area. Learn about glaciers that once flowed through this location, hear about early Maori, precious greenstone and the fierce battles which gave this river its name. - Buddah’s Wanna-go fishing experience
- West Coast photographic expedition led by Neroli Nolan
- Ultimate heli experience*
The notoriously inaccessible but gloriously beautiful Breaksea Sound, is best flown into by helicopter. Enjoy the rugged landscape of mountain and sea, the remote expansive wilderness, and a boat landing – to fish for lunch. over Fiordland National Park including a boat landing in the remote Breaksea Sound for lunch - A rare and exclusive opportunity to see kiwi in the wild; the guided night walk in the Trounson Kauri Park is a popular and easy walk for most everyone. For one and a half hours enjoy a leisurely stroll through the forest to observe the rare kiwi bird and other nocturnal native species in their natural habitat.
* These are what Dreams are made of