Chris Willsher
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri ▷
Fiordland Ecology Holidays Manapouri
My wife and I first visited New Zealand in 2005 as part of a UK club tour.
Whilst in Arrowtown museum on a wet afternoon I spotted a "flyer" about "Breaksea Girl" and its trips into Fiordland. It is probably the only trip we have made that didn't start from an internet search. Everything else was arranged via their web site and email. Even the date of our trip was arranged by Ruth to suit our journey dates as I always make plans well in advance. As a true wilderness experience a few days on Breaksea Girl with Lance takes some beating. Don't expect fancy private cabins with lots of space. Do expect to be quite cozy with your fellow travellers and lots of excellent food! We had a five night trip which included sailing south for 4 hours out in the ocean to Dusky Sound strapped into our bunks! Quite an experience. The sightings of Fiordland Crested Penguins and all the other wildlife and fauna plus the spectacular fiordland scenery was complemented by Lance's passionate concern for the region and his willingness to share his vast knowledge. I cannot recommend a trip such as this to see the real Fiordland more highly. Forget the quick trips "to do" Milford Sound and make the time to visit Fiordland on a small boat and experience the isolation and quiet a world away from civilisation. This is a trip that will linger in the memory for a lifetime. (Nov 2006)
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Whale Watch Kaikoura
If you want to get reasonably close to these monsters of the deep then this trip is a "must".
Very professionally organised. Impressive boats but not for queezy stomachs. Seeing a Sperm Whale for oneself is always going to be better than any TV documentary and the memory will linger. There are also wonderful sightings of a wide range of sea birds and the boat staff are very knowledgeable to help you identify them but perhaps not enough trouble is taken to help you enjoy this aspect of the trip. Yes, I know that it is a whale watching trip but the birds add tremendously to the overall experience. I am sure that most of our fellow passengers did not realise the range of albatross/mollymawks and petrels to be seen. (Trip made March 2005)
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Miranda ▷
Miranda Shorebird Centre
This one is really for keen or interested bird watchers only.
The centre itself is excellent as a friendly source of good information. We have visited three times now when staying with family in Auckland. Time your visit to get to the viewing hide an hour or so before high tide as the incoming tide pushes the wading birds up the beach to provide stunning views of some of the best NZ shore birds and regular migratory visitors. Take a spotting telescope if you can or ask at the centre for a loan. (two visits made Nov 2006 and one Nov 2008)
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Kiwi & Birdlife Park
An excellent way to get good views of some of NZ's special birds that must at all costs be protected.
We enjoyed an excellent short talk on the kiwi and other birds by a very knowledgeable expert. (Visited Nov 2006)
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Our tour party had not planned a trip but enough of us rebelled for our coach driver to contact the staff at Monarch.
Our time was very limited but their minibus met us as we arrived in Dunedin and took us straight to meet a special boat trip scheduled at short notice just for us and then returned us in good time to our group. The trip was excellent and allowed good sightings of all the special birds of the area with wonderful albatross displays. (March 2005 visit)
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay ▷
Farewell Spit Eco Tours
Well organised tour to a fascinating part of NZ.
If your objective is to see gannets up close then go to Cape Kidnappers instead. This trip leaves you too far away from the colony to get the real gannet experience but the scenery is unique. The guides are brilliant and very well informed. Highly recommended. (Visited Feb 2008)
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Te Awanga ▷
Gannet Beach Adventures Cape Kidnappers Tractor Tours
We have been to Cape Kidnappers twice - once overland in Feb 2005 and once along the beach.
It is difficult to recommend the better way to see the gannets but if the prospect of a steep 30 minute walk at the end to get the best gannet view is not an attractive proposition then take the overland route but really they are both excellent. The trip along the beach on a lovely day was brilliantly executed by an entertaining and well informed crew. They were sensitive to the age groups and mix of the visitors and nothing was too much trouble. The awe inspiring scenery and the wonderful close encounter with the birds has to be the best anywhere in the world. If you want to see these amazing birds close up this is the best place to visit. (Nov 2008)
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Kapiti Island ▷
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Very simple and basic accommodation and facilities but excellent food and very, very welcoming people.
To visit Kapiti and then not to stay overnight is to miss the best part. Minnie's persistence in finding us a Little Spotted Kiwi on a lovely clear night when the Kiwis did not wish to be found, was much appreciated. The fact that after walking for over two hours she found one just outside the sleeping accommodation shows how chance works! The lodge operates well alongside the excellent DOC facilities and makes a brilliant destination even better. Kapiti should be a compulsory visit for every New Zealander, bird watchers or not, just to show them what is important about their fragile environment that has to be protected. I bet most of those living opposite the island on the Kapiti coast have no idea of what is over there. From the shore Kapiti looks close. From the Island the shore looks like it is on another planet - which it is! (Visit made December 2008)