Eco-Tours to see some of the world’s rarest birds, and enjoy the unique and fascinating fauna and flora of this protected island. Experience how New Zealand must have been over 800 years ago. You will pass through a marine reserve on the way over to Kapiti Island and may see passing whales and dolphins (in season).
Many sea birds can be seen- gulls, gannets, penguins, petrels, terns, and shearwater. Also a collection of most of New Zealands native birds in their natural habitat such as Kiwi, Takehe, Bellbirds, Tuis, Kereru (native wood pigeon). Kea.
The island is our heritage, and to protect it, the NZ Department of Conservation allows only 50 visitor-permits a day. These need to be booked in advance. Allow for two nights accommodation at Rosetta House to make the most of this tour.
We will book the boat trip and purchase permits on your behalf. A courtesy drop-off and pick-up from Rosetta House will be provided for our guests.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive early afternoon at By-the-Sea Rosetta Boutique Bed & Breakfast. Our home is elegant, spacious and set in colorful gardens. Afternoon tea on arrival with home made baking, Flowers, chocolates and chilled distilled water in your room. Time to relax in our idyllic garden or walk leisurely along our magnificent beach. Off street parking. Sky Sports TV Available.
Day 2: A day trip to Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is planned. Limited numbers of people are allowed on to the Island each day. You may walk to the top of Kapiti Island enjoying the abundant bird life as you go: tui, bellbird, weka, kaka, kereru, North Island robin, saddleback, stitchback, (hihi), pukeko and takahe can all be seen.
Along the shore line various shag and gull species, white-fronted terns, oyster catchers and reef herons can be watched, nesting in the spring/early summer. Enjoy a packed lunch in the native bush clearing or at the summit. Arrive back to Rosetta House around 4 o’clock for afternoon tea and a rest. Permit, boat and packed lunch is included in this day trip.
Day 3: In the morning, Lindale Tourist Complex is the place to browse around the many interesting shops where New Zealand wool/alpaca/silk garments and home accessories are sold.
Try a world-award-winning Kapiti ice cream (fantastic!) then perhaps treat yourself to a light lunch in the farm kitchen. Early afternoon will be spent on a tour around the Waikanae Estuary with Mik Peryer who has written a book about the 63 different types of birds that frequent this estuary - he is very entertaining with many stories to tell.
In the second part of this tour he will drive you to a lagoon further up the estuary in his 1952 Silver/Black Classic Lt 15 Citroen car to a bird-hide so that you can quietly observe the birdlife on the lagoon. Some of the birds you can see are bar-tailed godwit, Caspian tern, cattle egret, fantail, falcon, grey teal, harrier hawk, morepork, tui, pied and other shags, reef heron and the blue or white-faced heron, spur-winged plover, and many more. After the tour Mik will take you to his home to meet his wife Moira for high tea with fresh scones.
Time: 3 hours approx. (Our guests come back really excited about this tour). Tickets provided. On the way back to Rosetta House you may wish to stop off at Southwards Vintage Car Museum: it is well worth a look. Return to Rosetta for a relaxing glass of wine and nibbles.
Day 4: Staglands Wildlife Reserve in the Akatarawa Valley is the tour for today. The drive through the narrow tree lined valley is just delightful, with wild roses growing on farm land fences, and hollyhocks and foxgloves lining the banks on the other side of the road.
At Staglands, discover shimmering rainbow colours in the feathered plumes! of Peacocks. Touch and feel the warmth and softness of real fur as you feed the fallow deer. Savour the experience of wildlife all around you. Let this delightful sanctuary work its magic as you explore its 25 acres of natural beauty.
See wallabies, swans, kune kune pigs, trout ponds, and rare NZ blue ducks. Have a close encounter with New Zealand’s own cheeky parrot the Kea, and experience the walk-in aviaries. There is also the old world charm of a bush settlement.
Abandoned now by the settlers, it has reverted back to the wild. Have your photo taken in the stocks outside the old one roomed prison. Entrance tickets included. Lunch may be purchased at the Country Café on site.
Day 5: Depart Rosetta House after a hearty breakfast to continue your adventure in New Zealand. Final Option to finish your stay on the Kapiti Coast: a 30 minute Helicopter scenic flight.
Lifting off, you turn 360 degrees to see Mount Taranaki (Egmont) to the North, to the West is Kapiti Island Bird Sanctuary and the top of the South Island as far south as Kaikoura, while to the south and east you will see the high points of Wellington and the Wairarapa valley. They are all quite unique, breathtaking views.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Comfortable spacious homely accommodation
- Full gourmet/cooked breakfast
- home-made bread each morning
- All permits, tickets, boat fares for each tour
- Packed lunch for Kapiti Island
Price Does Not Included:
- Lunch & Dinner
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Ecotourism
Wildlife Viewing
|
