This is a small group tour into an amazing bird sanctuary that just so happens to have one of Auckland’s favourite surf beaches, campgrounds and walking trails! Join your local guide Ness as she shows you her ‘backyard’.
easy to see why the Kiwi call Tawharanui home. With the tour beginning at dusk, you’ll set off with your local guide in search of Kiwi by red torchlight. Keep an ear out for the shrill call of the Kiwi, it is very distinctive and almost mesmerizing. You will learn how to identify the difference between the male and female calls as well as other fascinating facts about these wonderful birds throughout the tour.Wild Kiwi Spotting Experience Matakana:
Not many people get the chance to spot a Kiwi in its natural habitat – this unique experience, right on Auckland’s doorstep, will allow you to get up close with some of New Zealand’s rarest (and vocal!) birdlife. As a protected, predator-free sanctuary, a night walk through Tawharanui gives you a rare glimpse into the sights and sounds of the New Zealand forest, pre-European settlement.
The trails are well maintained, and relatively flat with just a few undulations. Total distance walked will vary, but averages about 1-2km for the tour. We provide hot chocolate and homemade cookies for you to enjoy while learning about the area and awaiting dark for our nocturnal friends!
Want to get out of Auckland Central? This tour takes you just an hour north of Auckland’s CBD to the idyllic Matakana Coast! This wonderful area is full of boutique wineries, scrumptious local eateries and food producers with award winning products.
Kiwiness Tours provide top quality guides, excellent local knowledge, travel refreshments, and clever storage in the van for any wine purchases along the way. Our locations are picked on best reputations, atmosphere and scenery, and will change depending on availability held by these boutique cellar doors and restaurants. Some bonus stops can include…Puhoi Valley, Matakana Oysters, chocolate boutiques, gelato & honey!