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Kaki
Duration: 12h | Difficulty: Easy | Route Type: Multiple Sites
EXPLORE THE SOUTH ISLAND'S MACKENZIE COUNTRY TO OBSERVE KAKI (BLACK STILT) HIMANTOPUS NOVAEZELANDIAE, THE WORLD’S RAREST WADING BIRD!
$420 per person aged 13 or over. $200 per person aged five to 12.
Look for kaki and other ‘braided river birds’ such as the ngutupare (wrybill), pohowera (banded dotterel), tarapuka (black-billed gull), tarapirohe (black-fronted tern) and tōrea (South Island Pied Oystercatcher), amongst the rivers, lakes and of the Mackenzie Country.
Other birds can include karearea (NZ falcon), pūteketeke (crested grebe), kahu (swamp harrier), pihoihoi (NZ pipit), poaka (pied stilt), warou (welcome swallow), white and white-faced heron, a variety of native and introduced water birds, and uncommon introduced birds such as the chukor (Alectoris chukar).
Our tour takes in the magnificent transition of scenery as we progress from Christchurch across the Canterbury plains, passing through Geraldine and Fairlie, then over Bukes Pass to the Mackenzie Basin.
Other birds can include karearea (NZ falcon), pūteketeke (crested grebe), kahu (swamp harrier), pihoihoi (NZ pipit), poaka (pied stilt), warou (welcome swallow), white and white-faced heron, a variety of native and introduced water birds, and uncommon introduced birds such as the chukor (Alectoris chukar).
Our tour takes in the magnificent transition of scenery as we progress from Christchurch across the Canterbury plains, passing through Geraldine and Fairlie, then over Bukes Pass to the Mackenzie Basin.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 October to 31 March (inclusive) each year. Available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year. We leave Christchurch in time to get to the Mackenzie Basin just as morning is starting to warm up, so you get the maximum of daylight hours birding, not travelling in a car.
Duration: Approximately 12 hours, including travel from Christchurch and return.
Route: Multiple sites visited
Difficulty: Easy grade. However, this walk can involve shallow river-crossings and rough walking in riverbeds and wetland areas.
Not recommended for children under five. Subject to a minimum booking of 4 adults (or price equivalent).
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere
Duration: 4h or 8h | Difficulty: Easy | Route Type: Varied
TE WAIHORA/ LAKE ELLESMERE IS A BIRD WATCHERS’ PARADISE PROVIDING HABITAT FOR 167 DIFFERENT BIRD SPECIES!
$175 to $310 per person aged 13 or over. $80 to $225 per person aged five to 12.
A diverse and scenic landscape with the promise of numerous species of birds.
Te Waihora is well known for its migrant waders, including such species as curlew, sharptailed and pectoral sandpipers; red-necked stint, ruddy turnstone, Pacific golden plover, red knot and the famous kuaka (bar-tailed godwit). New Zealand waders also feature, such as the ngutupare (wrybill), kaki (black stilt), poaka (pied stilt), and pohowera (banded dotterel).
You might also sight an elusive matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) or the secretive koitareke (marsh crake). Matuku moana (white-faced heron), kōtuku (white heron), kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbill) and pūteketeke (crested grebe) are other special birds here. Several species of terns and gulls add to the attractions, and the lake abounds with water and estuarine birds.
Te Waihora is well known for its migrant waders, including such species as curlew, sharptailed and pectoral sandpipers; red-necked stint, ruddy turnstone, Pacific golden plover, red knot and the famous kuaka (bar-tailed godwit). New Zealand waders also feature, such as the ngutupare (wrybill), kaki (black stilt), poaka (pied stilt), and pohowera (banded dotterel).
You might also sight an elusive matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) or the secretive koitareke (marsh crake). Matuku moana (white-faced heron), kōtuku (white heron), kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbill) and pūteketeke (crested grebe) are other special birds here. Several species of terns and gulls add to the attractions, and the lake abounds with water and estuarine birds.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 September to 31 March (inclusive) each year. Also available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year. We leave Christchurch in time to get to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere just as morning is starting to warm up. Most of the birds are actively feeding first thing in the morning, which can make them easier to find and see.
Duration: Half-day tours approx. four hours Full day tours approx. eight hours.We are happy to provide a cost for other time periods.Tours can either depart Christchurch, or from an agreed meeting spot near the lake shore.
Route: Variable depending on birds seen and time available.
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for people of most fitness levels. However, this tour involves walking for several hours through wetland areas including wet and sticky mudflats. You might need to walk through up to knee-deep water.
Not recommended for children under five. Subject to a minimum booking of 2 adults (or price equivalent)
Ashley- Rakahuri
Duration: 3h or 6h | Difficulty: Easy | Route Type: Circuit
EXPLORE ONE OF THE FINEST BIRDING LOCATIONS IN CANTERBURY, WITH 115 DISTINCT SPECIES RECORDED, RANGING FROM YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS TO SEASONAL MIGRANTS.
$185 to $355 per person aged 13 or over. $85 to $245 per person aged five to 12.
The Ashley-Rakahuri Estuary contains a wide variety of ecosystems, from braided shingle riverbeds, to shell, stone and sand banks, mud flats, reed marshes, freshwater wetland, and coastal dunes. This variety of environments within one large wetland system ensures there is always a wide variety of birds to be observed, whatever time of the year.
It is a vital stopover site for birds migrating up and down the coast, including the iconic kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) and other Arctic migrants that live out their winter in our summer.
Threatened braided river bird species such as the tarapuka (black-billed gull), tarapirohe (black-fronted tern), ngutupare (wrybill) and kaki (black stilt) are regularly observed on this estuary.
All tours meet at Waikuku Beach settlement. Pick-ups from Christchurch by arrangement.
It is a vital stopover site for birds migrating up and down the coast, including the iconic kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) and other Arctic migrants that live out their winter in our summer.
Threatened braided river bird species such as the tarapuka (black-billed gull), tarapirohe (black-fronted tern), ngutupare (wrybill) and kaki (black stilt) are regularly observed on this estuary.
All tours meet at Waikuku Beach settlement. Pick-ups from Christchurch by arrangement.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 August to 30 April (inclusive) each year. Available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: We time our tours around low tide to give clients the opportunity to see the maximum number of birds.
Duration: 3 or 6 hours
Route: Circuit walk
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for people of average fitness. However, this tour involves walking across mud flats and the fording of small streams (maximum of knee deep).
Not recommended for children under five. Subject to a minimum booking of 2 adults (or price equivalent).
Nina Valley
Duration: 12h | Difficulty: Easy / Moderate | Route Type: Return
AN ADVENTUROUS FAMILY WALK FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE!LOOK FOR BIRDS IN THICK BUSH; ALONGSIDE CLEAR RIVERS; IN MOUNTAIN VALLEYS AND THROUGH THE FAMOUS “STUNTED FOREST.”
$420 per person aged 13 or over.
$200 per person aged five to 12.
A day tour for everyone: birders, trampers, families, nature lovers, landscape photographers . . . the Nina Valley, on the east side of Lewis Pass, has it all!
New Zealand’s smallest bird, the titipounamu (rifleman) are a regular feature of this track!
You are also likely to see kakaruwai (South Island robin), ngirungiru (South Island tomtit), korimako (bellbird), riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail), and (sometimes) tui. Pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) are often observed in spring and early summer. The occasional slumbering ruru (morepork) might be spotted in the crowns of tree fern.
There’s also a chance to see at least one of the three “K’s”– kakariki (yellow crowned parakeet), kea and kaka. Whio (blue duck) are sometimes seen in the river valley, as are karearea (NZ falcon), which hunt through the open river valleys.
New Zealand’s smallest bird, the titipounamu (rifleman) are a regular feature of this track!
You are also likely to see kakaruwai (South Island robin), ngirungiru (South Island tomtit), korimako (bellbird), riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail), and (sometimes) tui. Pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) are often observed in spring and early summer. The occasional slumbering ruru (morepork) might be spotted in the crowns of tree fern.
There’s also a chance to see at least one of the three “K’s”– kakariki (yellow crowned parakeet), kea and kaka. Whio (blue duck) are sometimes seen in the river valley, as are karearea (NZ falcon), which hunt through the open river valleys.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 August to 30 April (inclusive) each year. Available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year. We leave Christchurch in time to get to the Nina Valley just as morning is starting to warm up, so you get the maximum of daylight hours birding, not travelling in a car!
Duration: Approx. 12 hours including travel from Christchurch and return.
Route: Return walk
Difficulty: Easy to moderate grade. Suitable for people of average fitness. However, this walk involves sections of rough track that can be muddy and slippery and the crossing of two swing bridges. Not recommended for people who have difficulty walking over rough country.
Not recommended for children under five.
Subject to a minimum booking of 4 adults (or price equivalent).
Hinewai Forest Reserve Tours
Duration: Varies | Difficulty: Easy / Moderate | Route Type: Varies
FAMILY FRIENDLY TOURS FOR ALL AGES.HINEWAI OFFERS INTIMATE FOREST INTERIORS, HIGH OPEN TOPS, DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES, STREAMS, WATERFALLS, INSECTS, REPTILES AND BIRDS.
$180 to $354 per person aged 13 or over$75 to $198 per person aged five to 12 years.
A conservation gem on Banks Peninsula, Hinewai Reserve is a 1300hectare ecological restoration project near Akaroa, owned by the Maurice White Native Forest Trust. Hinewai straddles the steep flanks of the extinct Akaroa Volcano. However, all Auldwood Bird routes follow valley, ridge or contour tracks to get you into this special places at an easy pace suitable for most people.The ‘ambassador’ bird for Hinewai is the pipipi (brown creeper). Banks Peninsula is a stronghold for this common, but not widely known, species, which is endemic to the South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. It’s a small, secretive bird whose cheerful chatter is often heard long before it is seen.Hinewai hosts most of the well-known native forest birds, including one of the last remaining populations of tītitipounamu (rifleman) on Banks Peninsula. One of our routes passes along spectacular volcanic cliff tops and open valleys, where the karearea (New Zealand falcon) can sometimes be seen.In addition to the birds, other wildlife sometimes seen in the forest include geckos and skinks; and the creepy but harmless tree weta. Insects and spiders are diverse and numerous. In spring and summer, the open valleys are home to several species of butterfly. Dozens of species of fern are a feature.
A portion of all tour fees goes to the Maurice White Native Forest Trust to support the continuation of the Hinewai forest restoration programme. Due to serious flood damage our lower valley tours are temporarily suspended.
TOURSAuldwood Birds offers half and full-day tours of Hinewai Reserve. Times include travel to and from Little River. Free Akaroa pick up and drop- off available. Maximum of ten people per tour. Tours not recommended for children aged under five years.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 September to 31 April (inclusive) each year. Available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: All tours depart from Little River, or and Akaroa pick up and drop off by arrangement. Departure times vary to ensure we arrive at Hinewai just as the day is starting to warm up, a time when birds are most active. Pick-ups from Christchurch available for a total charge of $50.
Red Beech Terraces Tour: approx. 4 hours returnStart your tour in the ‘stone circle’ surrounded by volcanic cliffs – home to karearea (NZ falcon) – and take in the magnificent views out to Otanerito/Long Bay. Then visit the Putakitaki Pond before exploring the magnificent red beech forest where we can expect to see ngirungiru (tomtit), titipounamu (rifleman) and many other bush birds. End your journey with a gentle wander along the Purple Peak track back to your vehicle. This grassy valley surrounded by forest is a beautiful place to see birds that enjoy the sunny edges of the forest and the open fields. Tour includes a complementary morning tea.Grade: easyCost: $180 per person aged 12 or over$75 per person for children aged five to 12 years.Minimum booking is three adults (or price equivalent).
Stony Bay to Long Bay Tour: 5 to 6 hours one way*(includes a separate vehicle pick up to return clients to starting point)This wonderful walk traverses the width of Hinewai Reserve from its high point along the volcanic cliffs of Stony Bay Peak, down to the ‘stone circle’ and the red beech terraces, and then following the contour line track through diverse country to Long Bay Road. Experience the progression from alpine vegetation to the dense red beech forest. A wide variety of vegetation means a wide variety of birds!Grade: easy to moderateCost: $354 per person aged 12 or over$198 per person for children aged five to 12 yearsMinimum booking is four adults (or price equivalent).Prices for an optional picnic lunch from the Little River Café available on inquiry.
A portion of all tour fees goes to the Maurice White Native Forest Trust to support the continuation of the Hinewai forest restoration programme. Due to serious flood damage our lower valley tours are temporarily suspended.
TOURSAuldwood Birds offers half and full-day tours of Hinewai Reserve. Times include travel to and from Little River. Free Akaroa pick up and drop- off available. Maximum of ten people per tour. Tours not recommended for children aged under five years.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 September to 31 April (inclusive) each year. Available on demand. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: All tours depart from Little River, or and Akaroa pick up and drop off by arrangement. Departure times vary to ensure we arrive at Hinewai just as the day is starting to warm up, a time when birds are most active. Pick-ups from Christchurch available for a total charge of $50.
Red Beech Terraces Tour: approx. 4 hours returnStart your tour in the ‘stone circle’ surrounded by volcanic cliffs – home to karearea (NZ falcon) – and take in the magnificent views out to Otanerito/Long Bay. Then visit the Putakitaki Pond before exploring the magnificent red beech forest where we can expect to see ngirungiru (tomtit), titipounamu (rifleman) and many other bush birds. End your journey with a gentle wander along the Purple Peak track back to your vehicle. This grassy valley surrounded by forest is a beautiful place to see birds that enjoy the sunny edges of the forest and the open fields. Tour includes a complementary morning tea.Grade: easyCost: $180 per person aged 12 or over$75 per person for children aged five to 12 years.Minimum booking is three adults (or price equivalent).
Stony Bay to Long Bay Tour: 5 to 6 hours one way*(includes a separate vehicle pick up to return clients to starting point)This wonderful walk traverses the width of Hinewai Reserve from its high point along the volcanic cliffs of Stony Bay Peak, down to the ‘stone circle’ and the red beech terraces, and then following the contour line track through diverse country to Long Bay Road. Experience the progression from alpine vegetation to the dense red beech forest. A wide variety of vegetation means a wide variety of birds!Grade: easy to moderateCost: $354 per person aged 12 or over$198 per person for children aged five to 12 yearsMinimum booking is four adults (or price equivalent).Prices for an optional picnic lunch from the Little River Café available on inquiry.
Hawdon River Valley
Duration: 2 days | Difficulty: Easy | Route Type: Return
A STUNNING OVERNIGHT WALK INTO THE HEART OF ARTHURS PASS NATIONAL PARK, OFFERING THE CHANCE TO SEE SOME OF NEW ZEALAND’S ICONIC FOREST BIRDS INCLUDING MOHUA, KAREAREA, KAKA, KAKARIKI AND KIWI.
$465 per person aged 13 or over. $275 per person aged 5 to 12 years
Explore on and off-track in this spectacular valley and stay overnight in the Hawdon Hut, for a real Kiwi outdoor experience.
The Hawdon Valley offers the opportunity to see a wide range of birds. These include the critically endangered mohua (yellowhead), kaka, roa (great spotted kiwi) and kakariki kowhai (yellow-crowned parakeet). There is also the chance of seeing one of New Zealand's rarest aprrots, the Kākāriki karaka / orange-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi).
Other forest birds can include pipipi (brown creeper), titipounamu (rifleman), kakaruwai (South Island robin), ngirungiru (South Island tomtit), korimako (bellbird), riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail), and tui. Pipīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) and koekoeā (long-tailed cuckoo) can be seen between November and February. Listen at night for roa and ruru (morepork owl). In the open river valley enroute we might well see kea, karearea (NZ falcon) and some braided river birds such as ngutu pare (wrybill) and tarapirohe (black-fronted tern).
This is an adventurous family experience for ‘tramping fit’ nature and bird enthusiasts. The route includes multiple river crossings as both sides of the valley are explored for bird watching opportunities.
The Hawdon Valley offers the opportunity to see a wide range of birds. These include the critically endangered mohua (yellowhead), kaka, roa (great spotted kiwi) and kakariki kowhai (yellow-crowned parakeet). There is also the chance of seeing one of New Zealand's rarest aprrots, the Kākāriki karaka / orange-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi).
Other forest birds can include pipipi (brown creeper), titipounamu (rifleman), kakaruwai (South Island robin), ngirungiru (South Island tomtit), korimako (bellbird), riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail), and tui. Pipīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) and koekoeā (long-tailed cuckoo) can be seen between November and February. Listen at night for roa and ruru (morepork owl). In the open river valley enroute we might well see kea, karearea (NZ falcon) and some braided river birds such as ngutu pare (wrybill) and tarapirohe (black-fronted tern).
This is an adventurous family experience for ‘tramping fit’ nature and bird enthusiasts. The route includes multiple river crossings as both sides of the valley are explored for bird watching opportunities.
Dates: Tours operate from 1 September to 31 March (inclusive) each year. Available on demand only. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest. Advance bookings of at least two months essential for this tour.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year. We leave Christchurch in time to get to the Hawdon Valley just as morning is starting to warm up, so you get the maximum of daylight hours birding, not travelling in a car!
Duration: Two days with an overnight stay at Hawdon Hut.
Route: Return walk
Difficulty: Easy to grade. Suitable for people of average ‘tramping’ fitness and experience. However, this walk involves multiple river crossings and off-track riverbed and bush walking. It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking over rough country.
Tour not recommended for children under five.
Subject to a minimum booking of 2 adults.*Bring your own food price listed.
*Food-included packages are available on application.*
Whio Splash
Duration: 1 to 2 days* | Difficulty: Moderate | Route Type: Return or Circular*
GET WET AND WILD EXPLORING A WEST COAST FOREST RIVER IN SEARCH OF WHIO (BLUE DUCK).
$465 per persons aged 13 or over.
$200 per persons aged 10 to 12.
A tour for the adventurous bird watcher/photographer who doesn’t mind getting their feet wet. This tour involves walking along a rough, cold, riverbed with multiple river crossings, exactly the sort of place whio love to live.
Our route involves a beautiful forest valley walk rich in plants and other birds.
Pick up other birding opportunities along the way at Arthurs Pass National Park for a full day’s birding experience.
Or add it to one of our Arthurs Pass tours for a two-day experience overnighting in either Arthurs Pass or on the West Coast.
Our route involves a beautiful forest valley walk rich in plants and other birds.
Pick up other birding opportunities along the way at Arthurs Pass National Park for a full day’s birding experience.
Or add it to one of our Arthurs Pass tours for a two-day experience overnighting in either Arthurs Pass or on the West Coast.
Dates: On demand only. Pick a date, tell us your needs and plans, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year and the schedule you choose. If you choose a day tour. We leave Christchurch in time to get to the West Coast just as morning is starting to warm up, so you get the maximum of daylight hours birding, not travelling in a car!
Duration: One or two days, depending on the option chosen
Route: Circle or return walk spending on river levels
Difficulty: Moderate. You must be physically fit and able to negotiate a wet, slippery riverbed and undertake several river crossings in icy water.
Not recommended for children under ten. Subject to a minimum booking of 3 adults (or price equivalent)
Piwauwau Challenge - Otira Valley
Duration: 12h | Difficulty: Easy / Moderate | Route Type: Return
A NATURE RAMBLE IN THE SOUTH ISLAND’S SOUTHERN ALPS – WILDFLOWERS, REPTILES, INSECTS AND BIRDS. A CHANCE OF SEEING ONE OF OUR MOST ELUSIVE BIRDS, THE PĪWAUWAU (ROCK WREN)
$475 per person aged 13 or over.
Not suitable for under 13y
One of our most scenic tours as we explore the Otira Valley in Arthurs Pass National Park. Native plants and flowers flourish in this unspoilt environment. Native reptiles and insects are readily seen and the mountain valley landscapes are spectacular. Enjoy all while we search for the very elusive rock wren, one of New Zealand’s most challenging birds to find and photograph.
Participants must be ‘tramping fit’ and prepared to spend a day walking through rough, largely unformed, terrain. But the rewards are worth it, not just in terms of the chance to find this rare bird but in terms of scenery alone . . . the views and the alpine plants are spectacular!
As part of the day, we’ll also look for bush birds, braided river birds and, of course, take time to find the famous alpine parrot, the kea, though chances are they’ll find us first!
Participants must be ‘tramping fit’ and prepared to spend a day walking through rough, largely unformed, terrain. But the rewards are worth it, not just in terms of the chance to find this rare bird but in terms of scenery alone . . . the views and the alpine plants are spectacular!
As part of the day, we’ll also look for bush birds, braided river birds and, of course, take time to find the famous alpine parrot, the kea, though chances are they’ll find us first!
Dates: Tours operate from 1 March to 31 May inclusive, and 1 August to 21 October inclusive. No tours during winter. Available on demand only. Pick a date, organise family and/or friends, and we’ll do the rest.
Times: Departure times vary according to the time of year. We leave Christchurch in time to get to the Otira Valley just as morning is starting to warm up, so you get the maximum of daylight hours birding, not travelling in a car!
Duration: Approx. 12 hours including travel from Christchurch and return.
Route: Return walk
Difficulty: Easy to moderate grade. Suitable for people of average ‘tramping’ fitness and experience. However, this walk involves extensive ‘off-track” walking in rough, glaciated country. Conditions underfoot are frequently wet and slippery or icy, and you may be required to negotiate your way around large boulders and across loose and active shingle scree.
Not recommended for children under 13y