North Island Birding and Wildlife Itinerary

Situated amongst a cluster of extinct volcanic cones, Auckland is a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. It straddles a slim piece of land with the coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea.

After checking into your hotel, relax and stretch your legs with a stroll around our beautiful city. Explore the highly acclaimed waterfront restaurant quarter or choose one of the many activities available for a more in-depth understanding of Auckland and the surrounding area. Visit the iconic Sky Tower, join a whale and dolphin cruise, visit nearby Waiheke or Rangitoto Island.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Tiritiri Matangi Island is a haven for wildlife and offers an unforgettable experience. Your guided walk leads you from the wharf to the Visitor Centre by the lighthouse, enhancing your understanding of the island's rich history, plants, and animals. Explore extensive walking tracks through regenerating forests, with the chance to spot endangered species like kōkako and takahē. Visit New Zealand's oldest working lighthouse, enjoy a swim in a tranquil bay, and learn about successful community conservation efforts. Conclude your adventure with a scenic cruise back to Auckland.

On arriving in Waitomo enjoy a scenic ride through a captivating limestone-studded farm, leading you to the stunning Mangawhitikau Gorge. Here, explore the famous Glowworm Cave, where a peaceful boat ride glides you beneath a canopy of twinkling glowworms, creating an unforgettable spectacle. Continue your adventure with a walk along an ancient dry riverbed to Te Ana o Te Atua, the Cave of the Spirit. Inside, be awestruck by the intricate limestone formations, fascinating fossils, and dramatic views of the sky through natural sinkholes. This unique journey offers a blend of natural beauty and wonder, showcasing nature at its most remarkable.

Approximate Distance: 205 km | 127 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Waitomo - 1 night

The Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park offers close-up, viewing of New Zealand's national bird, the Kiwi, in specialised nocturnal enclosures. Walk through huge dome aviary, ponds & wetland areas with a large range of New Zealand native plants, native birds and reptiles including the tuatara, which pre-dated the dinosaurs.

Redwoods Nightlights features 34 exquisite lanterns floating between 9-20 metres above the forest floor. This award-winning eco-tourism walk is 700 metres long, spans 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms, and takes about 40 minutes to complete. It is perfect for those looking for things to do in Rotorua at night!

Approximate Distance: 150 km | 93 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 nights

Be guided through the greenstone, wood carving and flax weaving schools at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rotowhio Pā, Kiwi Conservation Centre and Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley. Then your authentic evening begins with a ritual welcome which will include a challenge by fierce warriors, then relax and enjoy a performance of songs, haka and poi dance before enjoying traditional food. Following dessert, you will enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Guests can wander around the illuminated natural attractions, including Pohutu Geyser.

During your drive east to Hawkes Bay today admire Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake and stop to see the power of mighty Huka Falls. On arrival in Napier The Pacific Ocean provides a stunning backdrop to the Hawke's Bay, framed to the south by the dramatic Cape Kidnappers and the Tukituki hills. From natural disaster was born a celebration of early twentieth century architecture - Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings pepper Napier, Hastings and the region's small towns. Explore celebrated vineyards, the supreme Cape Kidnappers golf course, architecture, birdlife and Māori culture.

Approximate Distance: 220 km | 137 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Napier - 2 nights

See majestic gannets in their natural habitat today on a guided 4WD adventure to remember. The cliffs of Cape Kidnappers boast the largest mainland gannet nesting site on the planet. In peak breeding season up 20,000 gannets make their home here at any one time. 

Get unparalleled close-up access to these magnificent birds and their young. Watch in amazement as they swoop overhead, conducting spectacular high-dives into the sea. With their huge six foot (2 metre wingspan) they are impossibly elegant in flight. On land, you'll see them nesting, preening, and performing their trademark courting dances while you watch from just a few feet away. Learn about gannet behavior and the environmental pressures faced by these beautiful birds worldwide.

Drive south to Wellington and discover Zealandia, where some of New Zealand's rarest native animals are thriving and living freely, right on the doorstep of our nation's capital.

Explore the sanctuary by torchlight with your guide, seeking the unique sights and sounds of New Zealand's native forest. Discover rare and endangered species that emerge at night, including wētā, glow worms, and tuatara. Your group might spot one of the 150 little spotted kiwi living in Zealandia. Learn about New Zealand's natural history and the importance of these species in Māori culture.

Approximate Distance: 325 km |2022 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

This full-day tour to Kapiti Island combines a visit to a vital predator-free nature reserve with warm whānau (family) hospitality. Take a shuttle from Wellington to Paraparaumu Beach for breakfast before boarding the ferry. Learn of the unique balance of conservation, ecology and local human history Kapiti offers. Experienced nature guides will walk with you and explain the rich human and ecological history, and help you identify the flora and fauna around you. Enjoy a delicious cooked lunch at the Lodge, surrounded by one of the most rich and diverse nature reserves in New Zealand. You can expect to see some of our most beautiful and endangered birds up close and personal as you share the space with the locals.

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. We take care of your transfer to Wellington Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand trip.