You are here:
Wilderness & Wildlife
Wilderness & Wildlife Retreats
New Zealand has an exceptional range of wildlife, not least our unique birds – several species of penguin and albatross, the elusive kiwi, wild turkeys and crazy parrots. Swim with dolphins, watch the whales and admire the seals sunning themselves.
So lightly populated, New Zealand has endless tracts of wilderness and the lodges have access to special experiences allowing visits to experience our wilderness and wildlife.
… take the road less travelled
Discover New Zealand Wilderness & Wildlife Retreats
Just a 90 minute drive from Timara Lodge, beneath the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges, Kaikoura Township has much to offer – world famous whale watching – by air or by sea all year round and swimming with the dolphins or seals. Come and enjoy the magnificent scenic views of mountains, ocean panoramas and natural wild life.
A short drive to the north lies Kaikoura, a Mecca for whale watching and home to Sperm whales that live here year-round. An enjoyable day’s excursion from Claremont via the Alpine Pacific Triangle touring route, one of the world’s great scenic drives.
Cruise up the lake to Mou Waho island, see the lake within a lake and plant a native tree to feed the native wekas and ensure the future conservation of the area. The experienced guides will tell you about the Maori history of the area.
Fiordland and Southland offers the opportunity to view a wide range of both common and rare birds, including forest, alpine, wetland and sea birds. We also offer specialty Botany and Geology Special Interest Walks.
As a guest of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, we are delighted to offer an exclusive experience to view our treasured native bird – the kiwi.
Tours are arranged with experienced guides from Environmental Services who carry out essential monitoring of the kiwi. Guests are transferred from the lodge and taken to a particular site. They then walk for up to 30 minutes to locate the kiwi habitat.
Dolphins are seen on almost 90% of the trips. The Hauraki Gulf is a biologically and geographically diverse marine park with 22 species of marine mammal. You will see small pods of dolphins playing around the boat and possibly whales.
While staying at Grasmere, you have available the opportunity to witness and learn about some of the main work operations that take place on the Station. Take the opportunity to see the sheep dogs in action and witness a sheep being shorn as well as being able to ask questions about any aspect of High Country farming.
See two species of native penguins. The Yellow Eyed penguin, one of the world's rarest, comes ashore in limited numbers in the late afternoon. The Blue penguin comes ashore at dusk in numbers between 30 and 180 depending on the time of year. Both colonies are within a five minute drive from Pen-y-bryn.
A birdwatcher’s dream come true.
One on one glow-worm encounters in the Lodge’s private glow-worm grotto.
Discover the nocturnal possum and learn about its devastating role
in New Zealand’s ecology
The Treetops Estate itself is your own private paradise, with its sparkling streams, spectacular waterfall, and magnificent views. If wildlife is your thing, perhaps you’d like to go on a dolphin safari in the Bay of Plenty. Or visit the kiwi breeding facility at Kiwi Encounter; marvel at the ancient tuatara, and cheeky kaka and kea parrots at Rainbow Springs; or watch the rare New Zealand falcon in flight at the Wingspan falconry centre.
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs affords spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Cape Brett and the offshore Cavalli Islands are part of the panorama which can be viewed from the verandas, lounge and restaurant.
Huka Lodge nestles within a dedicated nature reserve and within easy access by helicopter and four-wheel drive to wilderness areas of unspoiled and vast natural beauty. Guests can cast a line in streams that have not been fished for months due to their remote (and often secret) location. Birdsong fills the air and birdwatching trips are available, also guided flora and fauna hikes. Hunting for pheasant, duck, deer, goat and wild pigs can be organized with the area offering some of the best all-year sport in New Zealand.
Follow the flight path of the native Kea (mountain parrot). Wanaka River Journeys will pick you up at Whare Kea Lodge and take you to the braided and ever-changing Matukituki River. Thrill in shallow water jet boating at its best. The Matukituki River is one of New Zealand’s most powerful and pristine jet boating rivers and is surrounded by the peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park. Be met by Aspiring Helicopters who will continue your journey of the Kea. Fly scenically around Glaciers and up towards the Whare Kea Chalet nestled at 5700ft (1750m) high in the Southern Alps. In winter, the Chalet is blanketed by snow; in spring a vista of alpine flowers surrounds it.
Beautiful white beaches, rugged wilderness, subtropical virgin forest, rare plant and bird life are just some of Great Barrier Island's many attractions.
Rare flora and fauna and New Zealand native birdlife thrive with the absence of predators. The coastline also provides a diversity of habitats for aquatic plants and animals.
From bird watching to whale watching, fair game or trophy hunting, there’s plenty of wilderness to explore and wildlife to encounter around Sherwood Lodge. Drive or fly to Kaikoura to see whales, dolphins, NZ fur seals and albatross. Closer to home, protected kereru, bellbirds, and occasionally morepork nest around the lodge, while red deer, chamois and wild pig forage nearby.
Frequently spotted playing in and around the Bay of Many Coves are dusky, common, bottlenose and Hector’s dolphins. You will also spot seabirds, fur seals and possibly an orca or migrating whales. We’ll get you up close and personal with tours organized by our staff during your stay.
