South Island Birding and Wildlife Tour

New Zealand is home to some of the rarest and most unique birds on earth. With a stunning backdrop of golden bays, vast wetlands, mountain ranges and ancient forests, you'll travel the full length of the South Island for unforgettable encounters with our best-loved and most endangered species in their natural habitats.

Among the amazing birds you will meet are the world's largest (and drunkest) pigeon, cheeky alpine parrots, shy and retiring hoiho (yellow-crested penguin), operatic Tui, and tiny New Zealand robins who dance around your feet. Complemented with a soundtrack of our incredible songbirds, you'll never want this movie to end.

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Visited Locations

Abel Tasman National Park

Queen Charlotte Sound

Queenstown City

Wild West Coast

First Light Travel

Duration

18 Days

Starts

Picton

Finishes

Christchurch

Type

Self Drive

Transport

Rental Vehicle

Accom

100% Customisable

Inclusions

Flexibility Promise

Rental Vehicle

17 Nights Accommodation

Dedicated Travel Consultant

Full 24 Hour Support

All Activities as per Highlights

Detailed Daily Itinerary and Vouchers

Private Airport Transfers

Highlights

Abel Tasman small Group Day Cruise

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary Cruise

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Okarito Lagoon Wildlife Kayak

Penguins and Royal Albatross Tour

Petrel Colony Tour (Optional)

Ulva Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk

West Coast Crested Penguin Viewing

Wildlife Cruise Otago Peninsula

See the Full Itinerary

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Reviews of this tour....

Mike & Carole Epstein

California USA

01 Dec 2022

It was beyond our very high expectations. The hotels were best of all - for location, washer/dryer and restaurant. The B&Bs were all great and the tours were all outstanding. The timing worked out well as the 2 night stays gave a chance to catch our breath. We never got exhausted.

I could have added another day at Mt Cook, another day in Christchurch after the train trip and one more day at the MSocial with its location on the wharf. But that’s not bad planning from California.

We saw saw more birds than we could ever imagined - 4 breeds of penguins, 5 albatross and 2 types of kiwi plus all the others birds too numerous to list

Natalie te Dorsthorst was marvelous and made a great trip on paper turn into a trip of our dreams.

Mike & Carole Epstein - California USA

View all reviews on this tour