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Gibbston Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
Enjoy an evening cruise followed by a two hour guided walk through coastal forest and sandy beaches with a chance to see the Southern brown kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) - often searching for food.
Highlights
- Includes a scenic evening cruise across Paterson Inlet
- Experienced nature guide and guided walk (approx. 2 hours)
- Small group - 8 per guide, max 16 per night
At dusk depart from Stewart Island's Halfmoon Bay in our catamaran for a cruise across Paterson Inlet to Little Glory Cove. During the cruise pass Ulva Island (a predator-free sanctuary) and learn about Stewart Island's rich history. Once at Little Glory Cove, disembark onto a wharf at the southern part of the peninsula known as The Neck.
The walk, led by your nature guide, is on a well-formed track across the peninsula, through spectacular coastal forest to a secluded sandy beach.
As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, venture by torchlight through the native forest with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45 minutes one-way and the track emerges on to Ocean Beach. This wide sandy beach is where kiwi are often found feeding among the grasses and seaweed.
Here in the darkness you will get to see the Southern brown kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka).
Afterwards retrace your steps through the forest to Little Glory Wharf for your catamaran ride back to Oban township on Stewart Island.
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$249.00
- Adult$249.00
- Adult$249.00
- Adult$249.00
- Adult$249.00
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Authenticated ReviewsAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 7 authenticated Bookme reviews
Victor from Australia wrote on 06 February 2023
Professionally run extensive nature expedition
We went in January, whilst there were still an hour of day/twilight, the trip started off observing various sea and coastal birds and seals around various islands and coves with very informative commentary. During the ferry ride, we were professionally given a presentation about the kiwis and the specific subspecies on Stewart Island and how to respectfully handle ourselves in searching and observing the kiwis. The guides then professionally in both skill and equipment took us on an hike where we observed a total of 6 kiwis in clear sight within 10m. We also observed one fur seal via the thermal scope on the beach.
Petra Ferch from Germany wrote on 10 January 2023
Awsome
Very nice trip! Thanks!
luboss from Czech Republic wrote on 30 November 2022
Wildlife encounter, kiwis hidden
I was lucky enough to meet kiwis during the 2 previous nights. How disapponted must have been some of the fellow travellers they haven't seen kiwibirds at all. Yet I've enjoyed the trip very much, especially jumping of the boat on waves, spotting of sea lions, fur seals and a pinguin (yes, just one). The crew member were great and did everything possible in attempt to search for wildlife. This experience is not a zoo, so success can't be guaranteed. Thank you for the experience.
brigittem2 from Austria wrote on 06 February 2024
Awesome 👌
The kiwi experience was just AMAZING! Our guides Jan & Karen were awesome, they took really good care of us, gave us hot chocolate and cookies after the tour, and I really felt their energy and their knowdledge towards Kiwis. We saw, I think 5 Kiwis, the walking throught the woods was an awesome experience in the dark, we saw a lot of birds, seals and many more different kind of animals. Thank you for this amazing experience!!! <3 :)
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Lukas Doerner from Germany wrote on 05 February 2024
Awesom experience
It was really a special and unique experience. We were lucky enough to see penguins, albatrosses, see lions and also Kiwis, even though the Kiwis were hard to spot und you had little time to fully lock at him longer due to the vast number of people in your group. The crew was incredible friendly and funny aswell, big thanks to Natasha and Karen, both were amazing and filled the trip with great background and Māori story telling. The experience would have even been better if all the people in the group followed the orders to be totally quiet and not flashing around their torches.