Wilderness & Wildlife 

There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with hector’s dolphins and that is the beautiful sheltered Akaroa Harbour. Make a date with the world’s smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins. Akaroa’s harbour - a sea-invaded crater - boasts stunning coastal scenery and is home to a plethora of marine species, including the very rare hector’s dolphins. Enjoy a two hour cruise onboard a jet-powered catamaran where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with these friendly mammals. All crew onboard are highly trained and will provide a great briefing on how best to interact with the dolphins while in the water. If you are new to snorkelling and the use of a wetsuit, the crew will be on hand to help you out.

Make a date with the world’s smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins at the beautiful and sheltered Akaroa Harbour. Akaroa lies inside the eroded craters of an old volcano, now flooded by the Pacific Ocean. Akaroa Harbour boasts stunning coastal scenery and is home to hector’s dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and white flippered penguins. Enjoy a two hour cruise onboard a large, comfortable catamaran where you’ll have the opportunity to view the local wildlife. Your skipper will provide fascinating commentary about the wildlife as well as stories of local legends and history.

Sail with dolphins, see all the wildlife and embrace stunning coastal scenery . Here is your chance to explore Akaroa harbour up close on New Zealand's oldest ketch Fox II. Learn about local history and even help crew if you want, with 6 sails there is always a halyard to hoist or a sheet to be pulled. This extensive 2 hour and 30 minute tour provides historic narration whilst your see the amazing wildlife including dolphins, penguins and seals (sometimes even albatross). Exploring Akaroa harbour is a must do event during your time here.

Meet farmers, Murray, Sue and William Johns as they welcolme you to Paua Bay Farm. The farm is 367 hectares (900 acres) and farms up to 4500 sheep, 100 cattle and 200 deer. Upon arrival visitors will be greeted by Murray and given an abstract of the family history and the development of the farm, followed by a simple explanation of basic farming principles. The sheepdogs have been patiently waiting, until it’s their turn to give one of the highlights of the tour, a comprehensive show of working sheep on the steep hills of Paua Bay. Sheep will be moved into the sheep-yards by the dogs where Murray demonstrates different type of sheep on the farm and the various farm activities carried out in the sheep-yards. During this time visitors will take an active part in separating sheep. The focus of the tour then moves to the woolshed where Murray in an entertaining manner brings to reality the life of a shearer. A sheep shearing demonstration is followed by an explanation of wool handling and different types of wool are shown. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful garden with its native trees and bushes. The tour concludes with a visit to the homestead with morning/afternoon tea or coffee and homemade scones.

Tour Auckland on a narrated drive and take in the sights from Auckland Sky Tower then take part in an Antarctic Encounter; all in one day in Auckland! Auckland Sky Tower is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere offering unparalleled views coast to coast. Glass fronted lifts will whisk you to the glass floored main observation deck where you will see Auckland right under your feet, the best way to see the city. At Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter travel through clear acrylic tunnels for a firsthand experience of the underwater world. In the Antarctic Encounter, visit a re-creation of Captain Scott’s expedition hut of 1911; ride a snowcat into an authentic white-out, and meet the native inhabitants of the polar region - penguins. Two legendary attractions not to be missed.

Combine a visit to one of Auckland’s truly spectacular black sand beaches with the chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment and a walk amongst untouched mature rainforest. Your journey takes you to Muriwai Gannet Colony, situated high on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea. Here you can gain a close-up perspective of gannet behaviour without disturbing their environment. Next visit the West Coast’s famous black sand beaches. Feel the soft sand beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. Last but not least your specialist guide will explain all there is to know about the native flora species as you walk amongst the country's famous kauri trees and giant tree ferns at Cascades Kauri Park Reserve.

Utilise your day in Albany to explore some of her best secrets, this full day tour will have you travel the South Coast Highway to Denmark, where ancient forests meet the sea. Be inspired by the immense scenery, tantalise your tastebuds and refresh your palette with exquisite wines; all in a day’s adventure. Firstly we take you to explore the canopy of a mature Tingle Forest on a treetop walk through the “Valley of the Giants” in Walpole-Nornalup National Park. A forest of towering kerri and tingle trees you can journey a canopy walkway some 120 feet above the forest floor for a bird’s-eye view of the ancient trees. The walkway’s lightweight steel trusses provide secure support. We will then stop to refresh and enjoy a two-course lunch at the Southern End Restaurant at the Karri Mia Resort .The restaurant features panoramic views of the surrounding farming country and the Great Southern Ocean. Finally we will taste fine wines at Howard Park Winery. Founded in 1986, the estate produces Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Visit the elegant Denmark Cellar Door for a tour of the winemaking facility followed by a tasting.

Take a tour to two of Albany’s premier attractions; Whale World & Fauna Park. For over a century, whaling was Albany’s major industry and the award-winning interactive museum Whale World ,is housed at the former Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, Albany’s last whaling station. In its heyday, the Station’s chasers took up to 850 whales a year. The museum features over 20 exhibits, three state-of-the-art multimedia theatres, and a restored Cheynes IV whale chaser. Complete your tour at Fauna Park featuring over 20 species of Australian Native Fauna on display such as Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Koalas, Spotted Tail Quolls, Esatern Quolls, Golden Possums, Bandicoots, Wallabies and many many more. A great tour for all the family.

Explore the vast diversity of the coastline and flora that Albany has to offer in this small personalised tour. Setting off we travel to Torndirrup National Park and visit Stony Hill Heritage Trail, an easy 400 metre circuit that not only has spectacular 360 degree views but contains a diverse collection of wildflowers. Learn about these unique plants and some of their "bush tucker" qualities. We will then visit the absolutely awesome "Gap" and "Natural Bridge" which are stunning examples of Granite formations that are a direct result of thousands of years of relentless exposure to the might of the Southern Ocean. Finally we call into the Albany Wind Farm to be awe-struck by the sheer size and majesty of these huge turbines that sit like huge sentinels on the edge of the cliffs, a "man-made" attraction presenting a truly remarkable contrast with the natural wonders that surround it.

Travel to the Hokianga Harbour on the West Coast of Northland, an area of natural beauty, steeped in early Maori history. Your first stop will be at Pioneer Village, among the exhibits within this 19th-century Northland Village are a courthouse built in 1862, a charming cottage from 1875, a fully equipped blacksmith shop, 1890s tackhouse and jail, 1919 sawmill, a 1936 fire engine and vintage tractors, and a fully restored 1907 Burrell steam locomotive. Next, explore the Waipoua Forest featuring Tane Mahuta. The forest contains three quarters of New Zealand's remaining kauri trees and is the finest stand of kauri forest in the country today. Within the forest's 2,500 hectares a short walk will take you to Tane Mahuta, or ‘Lord of the Forest’, which is estimated to be 1,200 years old, and at 52 metres it is the largest remaining kauri tree in the country. .