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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Few places in the world truly embody the spirit of adventure more than the fabulous award-winning Treetops Lodge & Wilderness Experience - located in the heart of New Zealand’s world famous therapeutic thermal region, Rotorua. Offering world class luxury accommodation and a uniquely New Zealand experience
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.