New Zealand 2026

aramacao

aramacao

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Hello everyone:

Although there's still almost a year to go, I'm already starting the initial research for what will surely be my next big trip: this one to Australia and New Zealand. I'm planning three weeks in Australia and two in New Zealand, giving priority to zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, nature reserves, and, in short, all the places where I can observe the wonderful wildlife of these countries. I'll talk about Australia in the corresponding section, but here I'll just talk about New Zealand.

My initial idea for this country was to take a trip of about a month that would allow me to see everything in the country, probably so I wouldn't have to return. A comprehensive trip to all the interesting corners of the country. However, it's now just a two-week addition to my trip to Australia. Therefore, many of those interesting corners will have to be eliminated from the final trip and I've to limit the places I'll visit and I have to discuss this with my girlfriend. However, prior to this decision, I had already prepared a list of intersting places with animals to visit in New Zealand. I'll share that list below:

- New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
- Southland Museum & Art Gallery
- Kiwi Park Queenstown
- Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
- The Raptor Experience
- International Antarctic Centre
- Orana Wildlife Park
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
- West Coast Wildlife Centre
- The National Kiwi Centre
- Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
- National Aquarium of New Zealand
- Pouakai Zoo
- Tongariro National Trout Centre
- Paradise Valley Springs
- Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
- Otorohanga Kiwi House
- Hamilton Zoo
- SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
- Butterfly Creek
- Ti Point Reptile Park
- Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park
- Auckland Zoo
- Wellington Zoo
- Wellington (Nga Manu Nature Reserve)
- Wildlife Foxton Trust
- Natureland Wildlife Trust
- Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium
- Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Obviously, visiting them all is impossible, as I've already said. Doing so would take a lot of time, and it's clear that I'll be doing more than just seeing animals in New Zealand. Therefore, this list is only a first approximation of what's available in the region. In fact, I've already made lists of the species in each place, and I could cross several of them off the list based on them. However, I mainly got my information from Zootierliste, and I don't think it's really reliable in many places.From now on, I'll be reviewing the entire forum, with the threads about each place, to make a selection. I'll also rely on your responses, advice, and suggestions, which I would greatly appreciate.

I hope you can help me create a trip that is a true dream for me.
 
aramacao said:
Hello everyone:

Although there's still almost a year to go, I'm already starting the initial research for what will surely be my next big trip: this one to Australia and New Zealand. I'm planning three weeks in Australia and two in New Zealand, giving priority to zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, nature reserves, and, in short, all the places where I can observe the wonderful wildlife of these countries. I'll talk about Australia in the corresponding section, but here I'll just talk about New Zealand.

My initial idea for this country was to take a trip of about a month that would allow me to see everything in the country, probably so I wouldn't have to return. A comprehensive trip to all the interesting corners of the country. However, it's now just a two-week addition to my trip to Australia. Therefore, many of those interesting corners will have to be eliminated from the final trip and I've to limit the places I'll visit and I have to discuss this with my girlfriend. However, prior to this decision, I had already prepared a list of intersting places with animals to visit in New Zealand. I'll share that list below:

- New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
- Southland Museum & Art Gallery
- Kiwi Park Queenstown
- Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
- The Raptor Experience
- International Antarctic Centre
- Orana Wildlife Park
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
- West Coast Wildlife Centre
- The National Kiwi Centre
- Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
- National Aquarium of New Zealand
- Pouakai Zoo
- Tongariro National Trout Centre
- Paradise Valley Springs
- Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
- Otorohanga Kiwi House
- Hamilton Zoo
- SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
- Butterfly Creek
- Ti Point Reptile Park
- Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park
- Auckland Zoo
- Wellington Zoo
- Wellington (Nga Manu Nature Reserve)
- Wildlife Foxton Trust
- Natureland Wildlife Trust
- Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium
- Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Obviously, visiting them all is impossible, as I've already said. Doing so would take a lot of time, and it's clear that I'll be doing more than just seeing animals in New Zealand. Therefore, this list is only a first approximation of what's available in the region. In fact, I've already made lists of the species in each place, and I could cross several of them off the list based on them. However, I mainly got my information from Zootierliste, and I don't think it's really reliable in many places.From now on, I'll be reviewing the entire forum, with the threads about each place, to make a selection. I'll also rely on your responses, advice, and suggestions, which I would greatly appreciate.

I hope you can help me create a trip that is a true dream for me.
Click to expand...

Auckland Zoo, Wellington Zoo, Hamilton Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park are New Zealand’s four main zoos. Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. All four are worth a visit in my opinion, but it depends what you’re wanting to see.

Otorohanga Kiwi House offers great close ups views of Kiwi. Kiwi can also be seen at other facilities like Auckland Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park.

Paradise Valley Springs is worth a visit if they have lion cubs, but I probably wouldn’t travel out of my way if not.

Brooklands Zoo (not on your list) is a free zoo. It’s 10 minutes from Poukai Zoo and will take about 30 minutes to walk round if you wanted to visit both on one day.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Auckland Zoo, Wellington Zoo, Hamilton Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park are New Zealand’s four main zoos. Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. All four are worth a visit in my opinion, but it depends what you’re wanting to see.

Otorohanga Kiwi House offers great close ups views of Kiwi. Kiwi can also be seen at other facilities like Auckland Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park.

Paradise Valley Springs is worth a visit if they have lion cubs, but I probably wouldn’t travel out of my way if not.

Brooklands Zoo (not on your list) is a free zoo. It’s 10 minutes from Poukai Zoo and will take about 30 minutes to walk round if you wanted to visit both on one day.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the advice.

I've looked at the Brooklands Zoo website and honestly don't see anything interesting. Still, I appreciate the recommendation.

My intention is to focus on the region's native fauna. I'm not interested in the species I can already see in Europe. My interest lies in all fauna, from mammals to invertebrates, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. All of New Zealand's wonderful native fauna interests me.
 
aramacao said:
Thank you very much for the advice.

I've looked at the Brooklands Zoo website and honestly don't see anything interesting. Still, I appreciate the recommendation.

My intention is to focus on the region's native fauna. I'm not interested in the species I can already see in Europe. My interest lies in all fauna, from mammals to invertebrates, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. All of New Zealand's wonderful native fauna interests me.
Click to expand...

In that case, I would prioritise the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Zealandia. I visited the Otorohanga Kiwi House last week and have uploaded photos here if you’re interested in what they have:

Otorohanga Kiwi House - Page 2 - ZooChat

Auckland Zoo has a New Zealand precinct with highlights being the Kiwi House and Takahe. They also have a Subantarctic fur seal, though they’re planning to phase the species out and I’d be surprised if their elderly male was still alive by the time you visit.
 
Chlidonias said:
I'm assuming you'll be travelling by car or campervan?

Have a look at this thread for starters: Zoos and other animal collections of New Zealand

The first post is arranged roughly north to south. The second post breaks the collections into categories.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd travel to one island from Australia and probably take a domestic flight to the other, but I'd travel by car within each island.

Thanks for the thread, I'll look into it carefully.

Really, something that would be very useful to me is: from the list I present of places with animals, would you initially remove any because you consider it not worth it, because the species that can be seen there I will see elsewhere and it is not worth wasting time?
 
aramacao said:
Really, something that would be very useful to me is: from the list I present of places with animals, would you initially remove any because you consider it not worth it, because the species that can be seen there I will see elsewhere and it is not worth wasting time?
Click to expand...
I would remove these ones, given your "native species" stipulation and especially if your time is limited, but let me know if there was something specific at any of these places that you were interested in. Obviously any of these may be worth visiting if you are in the area anyway.

REMOVE

- New Zealand Marine Studies Centre - this isn't a public aquarium
- Southland Museum & Art Gallery - only Tuatara, which you can see many other places
- Kiwi Park Queenstown - only visit if you are in Queenstown anyway, everything here can be seen elsewhere and it is really expensive.
- Te Anau Bird Sanctuary - as above
- The Raptor Experience - this is the NZ Falcon place? You can see these elsewhere (e.g. Willowbank or Wingspan)
- West Coast Wildlife Centre - they no longer have Okarito Kiwi on display
- The National Kiwi Centre - not worth your time or money
- Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery - there are only a few species here, which can all be seen elsewhere (Kaka, NZ Pigeon, Bellbird, Kakariki, Blue Duck, Brown Teal, Tuatara)
- Pouakai Zoo - standard small zoo species
- Paradise Valley Springs - nothing which would be worth the time
- Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park - only kiwi
- Wellington (Nga Manu Nature Reserve) - not much here - I don't think there's anything you wouldn't see elsewhere
- Wildlife Foxton Trust - no longer open
- Natureland Wildlife Trust - nothing you wouldn't see elsewhere
- Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café - this is a bit of a detour and nothing you wouldn't see elsewhere


KEEP

- International Antarctic Centre - presumably this is for the White-flippered Penguins? It is expensive. You can see them wild at Akaroa as well, but here would be easiest for photography and you're going to be in Christchurch anyway.
- Orana Wildlife Park - not essential (it is mostly geared around exotic megafauna) but it has native birds and reptiles as well.
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve - has quite a few natives, including Takahe, NZ Falcon, Buff Weka, Blue Duck, etc. If you visit at the right time you can see various kiwi species in their hatching room.
- National Aquarium of New Zealand - has native marine fish you probably won't have seen before
- Tongariro National Trout Centre - I haven't been but I think they have native freshwater fish aquariums
- Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre - has NZ Falcon, Australasian Harrier, Australian Barn Owl, and I think Morepork and Little Owl
- Otorohanga Kiwi House - a good amount of native bird species, and it is on the highway going south so logistically easy to visit
- Hamilton Zoo - not a lot of natives, but I would still include it as one of the main NZ zoos
- SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium- has native marine fish you probably won't have seen before
- Butterfly Creek - it's right by Auckland Airport so worth visiting but don't expect to add anything too interesting
- Ti Point Reptile Park - has a pretty good native lizard collection, but it is a bit out of the way
- Auckland Zoo - has an excellent native section so consider this a must-visit
- Wellington Zoo - nothing (native-wise) you won't see elsewhere, but worth the visit regardless
- Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium - note that this is just a single room and is only open on Sundays, but it is all locally-caught marine species.
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - you probably won't see anything new here but it is on the main road so easy to fit in en route to Wellington
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne - this is a fenced sanctuary for wild birds, but they have Takahe in a fenced section, Tuatara, and if you do a night tour you can see Little Spotted Kiwi


OTHER STUFF:

Go to Tiritiri Matangi (island) off Auckland for native birds. This is your best bet for seeing Kokako, Fernbird, Stitchbird, Saddleback, etc. There are Takahe there as well. You can stay in a bunkhouse on the island and look for Little Spotted Kiwi, Morepork, Brown Teal, geckoes, etc at night.

At Kaikoura do the Albatross Boat for seabirds (there are also dolphin and whale boats there).

At Akaroa (by Christchurch) do the dolphin watch boat for Hector's Dolphins and White-flippered Penguins.

At Dunedin do the Monarch Tour for seabirds etc, and visit Penguin Place which has Yellow-eyed Penguins and often has other penguin species.

The Otago Museum in Dunedin has a mounted Warrah on display (and also has a butterfly house). Te Papa in Wellington has a Colossal Squid on display. The Auckland War Museum has a really good section for extinct and fossil NZ birds, and other natural history displays.
 
Chlidonias said:
I would remove these ones, given your "native species" stipulation and especially if your time is limited, but let me know if there was something specific at any of these places that you were interested in. Obviously any of these may be worth visiting if you are in the area anyway.

REMOVE

- New Zealand Marine Studies Centre - this isn't a public aquarium
- Southland Museum & Art Gallery - only Tuatara, which you can see many other places
- Kiwi Park Queenstown - only visit if you are in Queenstown anyway, everything here can be seen elsewhere and it is really expensive.
- Te Anau Bird Sanctuary - as above
- The Raptor Experience - this is the NZ Falcon place? You can see these elsewhere (e.g. Willowbank or Wingspan)
- West Coast Wildlife Centre - they no longer have Okarito Kiwi on display
- The National Kiwi Centre - not worth your time or money
- Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery - there are only a few species here, which can all be seen elsewhere (Kaka, NZ Pigeon, Bellbird, Kakariki, Blue Duck, Brown Teal, Tuatara)
- Pouakai Zoo - standard small zoo species
- Paradise Valley Springs - nothing which would be worth the time
- Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park - only kiwi
- Wellington (Nga Manu Nature Reserve) - not much here - I don't think there's anything you wouldn't see elsewhere
- Wildlife Foxton Trust - no longer open
- Natureland Wildlife Trust - nothing you wouldn't see elsewhere
- Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café - this is a bit of a detour and nothing you wouldn't see elsewhere


KEEP

- International Antarctic Centre - presumably this is for the White-flippered Penguins? It is expensive. You can see them wild at Akaroa as well, but here would be easiest for photography and you're going to be in Christchurch anyway.
- Orana Wildlife Park - not essential (it is mostly geared around exotic megafauna) but it has native birds and reptiles as well.
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve - has quite a few natives, including Takahe, NZ Falcon, Buff Weka, Blue Duck, etc. If you visit at the right time you can see various kiwi species in their hatching room.
- National Aquarium of New Zealand - has native marine fish you probably won't have seen before
- Tongariro National Trout Centre - I haven't been but I think they have native freshwater fish aquariums
- Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre - has NZ Falcon, Australasian Harrier, Australian Barn Owl, and I think Morepork and Little Owl
- Otorohanga Kiwi House - a good amount of native bird species, and it is on the highway going south so logistically easy to visit
- Hamilton Zoo - not a lot of natives, but I would still include it as one of the main NZ zoos
- SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium- has native marine fish you probably won't have seen before
- Butterfly Creek - it's right by Auckland Airport so worth visiting but don't expect to add anything too interesting
- Ti Point Reptile Park - has a pretty good native lizard collection, but it is a bit out of the way
- Auckland Zoo - has an excellent native section so consider this a must-visit
- Wellington Zoo - nothing (native-wise) you won't see elsewhere, but worth the visit regardless
- Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium - note that this is just a single room and is only open on Sundays, but it is all locally-caught marine species.
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - you probably won't see anything new here but it is on the main road so easy to fit in en route to Wellington
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne - this is a fenced sanctuary for wild birds, but they have Takahe in a fenced section, Tuatara, and if you do a night tour you can see Little Spotted Kiwi


OTHER STUFF:

Go to Tiritiri Matangi (island) off Auckland for native birds. This is your best bet for seeing Kokako, Fernbird, Stitchbird, Saddleback, etc. There are Takahe there as well. You can stay in a bunkhouse on the island and look for Little Spotted Kiwi, Morepork, Brown Teal, geckoes, etc at night.

At Kaikoura do the Albatross Boat for seabirds (there are also dolphin and whale boats there).

At Akaroa (by Christchurch) do the dolphin watch boat for Hector's Dolphins and White-flippered Penguins.

At Dunedin do the Monarch Tour for seabirds etc, and visit Penguin Place which has Yellow-eyed Penguins and often has other penguin species.

The Otago Museum in Dunedin has a mounted Warrah on display (and also has a butterfly house). Te Papa in Wellington has a Colossal Squid on display. The Auckland War Museum has a really good section for extinct and fossil NZ birds, and other natural history displays.
Click to expand...

Magnificent dossier. When I can, I'll show you what interests me about each place so we can explore it more deeply. But this collaboration is wonderful.

I must say that all the places I've mentioned have interesting species. But the vast majority are repetitive. My intention is to visit as few as possible while seeing as many species as possible.

By the way, I haven't mentioned it, but my intention is also to visit places with wildlife, such as penguin colonies, cetaceans, or seabirds.
 
The Tuatara enclosure at Southland Museum & Art Gallery no longer exists but the Tuatara that were housed there were moved to Queens Park, where they are still on public display.

Kiwi North also has endemic green geckos in addition to their Kiwi, at least, but probably should not be visited if you want to be efficient.

Ngā Manu is not bad for seeing native freshwater fish if you miss them elsewhere.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is probably better for seeing wild birds than anything else. Their most special remaining captive species, Shore Plover, is completely off-display.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is also good for seeing North Island Kākā and North Island Robin (both wild). You absolutely have to arrive there before it opens if you want a chance at avoiding the crowds.

A reliable place where you can see wild Little Blue Penguin is the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. You can access this area at night to see the penguins return to land, but photography is strictly prohibited at that time.
 
I was in New Zealand in January 2025. If you happen to be in Te Anu then I do recommend a visit to the bird sanctuary. It is free. They had takahe, South Island kaka, blue duck, and kakariki on exhibit. The new tuatara exhibit in Queens Park in Invercargill is excellent also if you happen to be down there.

I would HIGHLY recommend a night tour at Zealandia. We saw little spotted kiwi, tuatara, several weta species, North Island kaka, glowworms, brown teal.

We did a yellow-eyed penguin and royal albatross tour on the Otago Peninsula: Tours | The Opera
They have a rehab facility for yellow-eyed penguins that is basically a zoo exhibit, and then they take you out to the coast to watch for the penguins popping out of the ocean. Sea lions and fur seals are also seen.

If you want to see wild birds in relatively pristine forest then Stewart Island and Ulva Island are highly recommended.
 
Cassidy Casuar said:
The Tuatara enclosure at Southland Museum & Art Gallery no longer exists but the Tuatara that were housed there were moved to Queens Park, where they are still on public display.

Kiwi North also has endemic green geckos in addition to their Kiwi, at least, but probably should not be visited if you want to be efficient.

Ngā Manu is not bad for seeing native freshwater fish if you miss them elsewhere.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is probably better for seeing wild birds than anything else. Their most special remaining captive species, Shore Plover, is completely off-display.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is also good for seeing North Island Kākā and North Island Robin (both wild). You absolutely have to arrive there before it opens if you want a chance at avoiding the crowds.

A reliable place where you can see wild Little Blue Penguin is the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. You can access this area at night to see the penguins return to land, but photography is strictly prohibited at that time.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advices.

I'd like to see blue penguins in the wild, but it's not a priority because I've already seen them in captivity in Japan. Besides, it's possible I'll be able to see them sooner in Australia. I'm more interested in seeing yellow-eyed penguins or Firodland penguins, of course. A friend gave me a couple of locations to try to see them, along with other animals, like albatrosses.
 
DavidBrown said:
I was in New Zealand in January 2025. If you happen to be in Te Anu then I do recommend a visit to the bird sanctuary. It is free. They had takahe, South Island kaka, blue duck, and kakariki on exhibit. The new tuatara exhibit in Queens Park in Invercargill is excellent also if you happen to be down there.

I would HIGHLY recommend a night tour at Zealandia. We saw little spotted kiwi, tuatara, several weta species, North Island kaka, glowworms, brown teal.

We did a yellow-eyed penguin and royal albatross tour on the Otago Peninsula: Tours | The Opera
They have a rehab facility for yellow-eyed penguins that is basically a zoo exhibit, and then they take you out to the coast to watch for the penguins popping out of the ocean. Sea lions and fur seals are also seen.

If you want to see wild birds in relatively pristine forest then Stewart Island and Ulva Island are highly recommended.
Click to expand...

Small details based on personal experience, like where to go on a night tour or which company to take on a penguin tour with, are the kinds of details that can be most helpful to me, without a doubt. Thank you very much.

Do you know of any albatross tours, or do you see them on the yellow-eyed penguin tour?

Any specific recommendations for seeing cetaceans, like Hector's dolphin?
 
aramacao said:
I'd like to see blue penguins in the wild, but it's not a priority because I've already seen them in captivity in Japan. Besides, it's possible I'll be able to see them sooner in Australia. I'm more interested in seeing yellow-eyed penguins or Firodland penguins, of course. A friend gave me a couple of locations to try to see them, along with other animals, like albatrosses.
Click to expand...
It really depends on when your going - your more likely to catch a lot of these Penguin species during breeding season which begins in Winter (June to August) and can sometimes stretch into Spring. Lake Moeraki is very reliable for Fiorlands during this time.
 
aramacao said:
Thanks for the advices.

I'd like to see blue penguins in the wild, but it's not a priority because I've already seen them in captivity in Japan. Besides, it's possible I'll be able to see them sooner in Australia. I'm more interested in seeing yellow-eyed penguins or Firodland penguins, of course. A friend gave me a couple of locations to try to see them, along with other animals, like albatrosses.
Click to expand...
aramacao said:
Small details based on personal experience, like where to go on a night tour or which company to take on a penguin tour with, are the kinds of details that can be most helpful to me, without a doubt. Thank you very much.

Do you know of any albatross tours, or do you see them on the yellow-eyed penguin tour?

Any specific recommendations for seeing cetaceans, like Hector's dolphin?
Click to expand...
(Depending on whether you accept the split) New Zealand and Australian Little Blue Penguins are different species, although the ones in Otago (e.g. at Oamaru and Dunedin) are Australian Little Blues so you'd want to see them somewhere else in New Zealand like on Tiritiri Matangi.

In Dunedin the Monarch Tour goes out in the harbour for albatrosses and cormorants, and is combined with a visit to Penguin Place. You can visit that by yourself as well. The albatross colony can be visited by yourself as well.

In Kaikoura there are three separate companies for albatrosses, dolphins, and whales. You preferentially want to do the albatross boat.

The night tour at Zealandia is their own tour, so you just book it on their website.

At Akaroa use Black Cat Cruises for the Hector's Dolphins. You can see them yourself from land all around the South Island, but it's hit and miss so doing the boat trip will more-or-less guarantee them.

In Auckland there are two companies which do trips for Bryde's Whales.
 
Jambo said:
It really depends on when your going - your more likely to catch a lot of these Penguin species during breeding season which begins in Winter (June to August) and can sometimes stretch into Spring. Lake Moeraki is very reliable for Fiorlands during this time.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure yet, but we had seen approximate dates between March and May...
 
Chlidonias said:
(Depending on whether you accept the split) New Zealand and Australian Little Blue Penguins are different species, although the ones in Otago (e.g. at Oamaru and Dunedin) are Australian Little Blues so you'd want to see them somewhere else in New Zealand like on Tiritiri Matangi.

In Dunedin the Monarch Tour goes out in the harbour for albatrosses and cormorants, and is combined with a visit to Penguin Place. You can visit that by yourself as well. The albatross colony can be visited by yourself as well.

In Kaikoura there are three separate companies for albatrosses, dolphins, and whales. You preferentially want to do the albatross boat.

The night tour at Zealandia is their own tour, so you just book it on their website.

At Akaroa use Black Cat Cruises for the Hector's Dolphins. You can see them yourself from land all around the South Island, but it's hit and miss so doing the boat trip will more-or-less guarantee them.

In Auckland there are two companies which do trips for Bryde's Whales.
Click to expand...

My intention is to visit Tiritiri Matangi, so theoretically I should be able to see those blue penguins.

I really appreciate the recommendations on tour companies. Can you recommend any specific companies for tours in Kaikoura and Auckland, like you've done in other places?
 
aramacao said:
Yes, I had it written down. This trip isn't just going to be about animals, but also more touristy things, like this one.
Click to expand...
If you are going to be in that area (fyi you can fly between Queenstown and Australia), then note that Fiordland Penguins can be seen (with luck) on the boat tours in Milford Sound, Bottlenose Dolphins are in Dusky Sound, and Arnoux's Beaked Whales are sighted irregularly in Doubtful Sound.

aramacao said:
My intention is to visit Tiritiri Matangi, so theoretically I should be able to see those blue penguins.

I really appreciate the recommendations on tour companies. Can you recommend any specific companies for tours in Kaikoura and Auckland, like you've done in other places?
Click to expand...

The companies in Kaikoura are:
Albatrosses: Albatross Watching Tours, Kaikoura, Albatross Encounter
Whales: Kia Ora!
Dolphins: Home | Dolphin Tours | Dolphin Encounter NZ

Auckland:
https://whalewatchingauckland.com/
There are two - I can't remember the other one but their ticket counters are almost next to each other at the wharf.

Also, in Picton if you are crossing Cook Strait by ferry rather than flying, there is Nature Tours | Wildlife Holidays in New Zealand | E-Ko Tours which do a tour where you can see King Shags.

Another tour of interest is the one at Okarito on the West Coast for Okarito Brown Kiwi.
Okarito Kiwi Tours Okarito West Coast New Zealand
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top