TOURS - ECHOES OF GONDWANA DEPARTING FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021 - Forest and Bird
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FOREST & BIRD
TOURS
SUPPORTING
CONSERVATION
ECHOES OF GONDWANA
DEPARTING FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021
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It was a truly remarkable experience and we are very
grateful for it. Thank you Mark and Forest & Bird!
Inge Bremer and Rolf Mueller-Glodde
Footsteps through Conservation Battlegrounds tour October 2020
UNFORGETTABLE LANDSCAPES
Our ever-changing country is full of natural spectacles to be enjoyed, challenged, or held in awe. Travel
off the beaten track in the company of a small group of up to 15 like-minded people. Together you will
experience Aotearoa's incredible wildlife on land and in our oceans. Join us to explore New Zealand’s natural
heritage and feel good knowing your tour’s profits will be supporting Forest & Bird’s conservation work!
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YOUR GUIDE
Naturalist and Forest & Bird President Mark
Hanger has been leading small-group nature
tours throughout New Zealand and Australia
for more than 30 years. He has put together
this incredible fundraising journey for our
supporters. Travel is by comfortable small coach
equipped with an excellent nature reference
library. Accommodation is in pleasant hotels
and lodges with private facilities. A flexible tour
itinerary offers multiple start and finish points
and different journey lengths. All
tour profits go to Forest & Bird’s
conservation work.
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ECHOES OF GONDWANA
Travel through awe-inspiring landscapes at the heart of Experience botanical and birdlife wonders of
some of the greatest environmental campaigns of the Gondwana forests at Pureora and discover native
past 100 years. Meet Forest & Bird’s conservation staff skinks and other rare species on Mana Island. Then
and volunteers, who will share some of the challenges explore the ancient forests of the West Coast, including
of protecting and restoring Aotearoa’s natural heritage. Paparoa and Ōkārito, with an overnight stay at Lake
Visit New Zealand’s oldest marine reserves and Moeraki Wilderness Lodge with conservation icon
find out about the recent ground-breaking Gerry McSweeney. A further optional segment takes in
battle to save the “Bay of Empty” during the Catlins, Rakiura Stewart Island, hoiho, kiwi Hector’s
a guided trip to Motiti Island with Te dolphins, and New Zealand sealions.
Atarangi Sayers.
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FEB 26: Far North marine challenges
Mid-morning convene in Whangārei, meet Mark
Hanger, Forest & Bird President and your trip leader.
We are joined by Dean Baigent-Mercer, Forest & Bird’s
Northern conservation advocate and campaigner. Dean
will discuss key marine issues with us as we visit coastal
areas dear to his heart. Stay Tutukaka two nights.
SECTOR 1 FEB 27: Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve –
TE AO O day excursion
An unforgettable day excursion cruise visiting a very
TE TANGAROA special jewel in the crown of marine protected areas in
Aotearoa. Visit the Poor Knights Marine Reserve and
observe from the boat the unique landscapes of the
5-NIGHTS, DEPARTING 26 FEBRUARY 2021 Poor Knights Nature Reserve (landing is prohibited for
members of the public). The surrounding waters are
home to a myriad of sub-tropical fish, sponge gardens,
huge sea caves, and sub-marine arches. There is ample
time to learn of the significance of the life protected
here, and to snorkel and/or kayak in the marine reserve
waters. Or you can just absorb the atmosphere of one of
New Zealand’s most special places. Late afternoon return
to Tutukaka.
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FEB 28: Leigh Marine Reserve
This morning drive south to New Zealand’s first marine
sanctuary. Learn of its history, preservation, benefits, and the
legacy of Dr Bill Ballantine, who was a dearly beloved icon of
marine conservation. Time this afternoon to kayak or snorkel
in the reserve. Stay Warkworth tonight.
MAR 1: Warkworth kauri, Miranda, mangroves,
Tauranga
Visit a locally protected and managed kauri tract this morning
before leaving the region. Travel south through Auckland then
via the Miranda coast and to the Bay of Plenty. An afternoon on
the coastal fringe. Discuss and view the significance and value
of mānawa, the mangrove, with Forest & Bird stalwarts Basil
and Ann Graeme. Stay Tauranga two nights.
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MAR2: Mōtītī, the Rena wreck, marine issues in the to ground-breaking legislative changes that could see better
“Bay of Empty” marine protection for all of New Zealand’s coastal waters.
Join Te Atarangi Sayers, Forest & Bird Board member, as he
takes us on a physical journey to Mōtītī Island while explaining MAR 3: Aongatete, mangroves
the inspiring spiritual and legal journey of his hapū. They fought Meet the Graeme family, founders of Forest & Bird’s Kiwi
a long battle to gain awareness, understanding, and finally Conservation Club and staunch supporters of greater
protection for the unique waters surrounding Mōtītī, an area that protection for the Kaimai Mamaku forests. Walk in the
was put under massive pressure after the MV Rena ran aground Aongatete forest reserve before continuing through to the
on the Astrolabe reef, in 2011. The resulting oil spill has been central North Island. For those not continuing on the main
called New Zealand’s worst maritime environmental disaster. Echoes of Gondwana trip, your journey will end at lunchtime
Te Atarangi will explain how this terrible event ultimately led today in Tauranga. The main group will travel south to Taupō.
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SECTOR 1 Pricing
TE AO O TE DEPARTS:
ENDS:
Whangārei
Tauranga
TANGAROA DEPARTURES:
PRICE:
26 February 2021
NZD$2,159 per person (5 nights)
Inclusions
n Services of tour naturalist, Mark Hanger.
n Services of Forest & Bird specialists
n All tour travel departing from Whangārei and terminating in
Tauranga
n Three meals daily, with exception of first dinner in Tauranga
n All accommodation
n Information folio including background ecological
information and species lists for areas visited
n Poor Knights marine reserve day excursion
n Mōtītī or Bay of Plenty day excursion
n Goods and Services Tax of 15%
n Admission fees where applicable
n Contribution to Forest & Bird
BOOK THIS TOUR
n Add-ons: Single room rate add $NZ430.00 per person
and feel good knowing
a proportion of your fare
supports Forest & Bird
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SECTOR 2 MAR 3: Aongatete, mangroves, Taupo
Meet with the Graeme family, founders of KCC and staunch
ECHOES OF supporters of greater protection for the Kaimai Mamaku
forests. Walk in the Aongatete forest before continuing
GONDWANA through to the central North Island. Stay Taupo tonight.
MAR4: Pureora – the “dinosaur forest” of
Gondwana
10-NIGHTS, DEPARTING 3 MARCH 2021
Lush rainforest surrounded the Tongariro Plateau until
wholesale forest clearance began with European settlement.
Now only relatively small tracts remain. Today we visit one of
the finest tracts of podocarp rain forest in the country to study
the intricacies and complexities of the predominant forest type
in New Zealand. These forests have changed little over 100
million years and are typical of the forest cover of Gondwana.
The rimu-dominated bush here is perhaps the finest in the
country. Pureora was a flashpoint in the late 1970s and the
actions of conservation protesters here paved the way for other
significant lowland forests in the North island to be protected.
We study the podocarp forest communities in detail today then
continue to Whakapapa.
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MAR 5: Volcanoes, sub-alpine beech forest, whio MAR 6: Mana Island
Immediately to the south of Lake Taupō are the three high The steep-sided and flat-topped Mana Island is a distinctive
volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. This is the original feature of Wellington’s west coast. Despite years of human
national park of New Zealandand we spend the morning on the occupation, three rare species clung to salvation on Mana—the
slopes of the highest peak, Ruapehu. With laval and/or mud gold-striped gecko, Cook Strait giant wētā, and McGregor’s
flows having occurred in recent years off both Ruapehu and skink. Concerted conservation efforts by Forest & Bird and
nearby Ngāuruhoe, the vicinity is an excellent one in which others, led to the eradication of mice in 1990 and the planting
to study the impact of volcanism on sub-alpine and montane of half a million trees. The island is home to dozens of species
vegetation. There will also be an opportunity to seek out the threatened elsewhere in the country, including takahē,
endangered whio blue duck while in this region. Afternoon toutouwai North Island robin, korimako bellbird, kākāriki
drive south to Wellington. yellow-crowned parakeet, rowi brown kiwi, and pōpokotea
whitehead, as well as three translocated lizard species. Join
the Friends of Mana Trust as we visit this special island off the
Porirua coast.
10MAR 7: Ferry to Picton, Forest & Bird’s Pelorus bat MAR 9: Denniston plateau, Paparoa National Park
recovery project Drive south from Nelson through the Buller Gorge and discover
Ferry to South island. Travel via Pelorus bridge to Nelson. the fascinating rare coal ecosystems of the Denniston Plateau.
Possible evening visit to Pelorus with the Top of the South Bat You will hear about the major battles conservationists have had
Project (yet to be confirmed) Stay Nelson two nights. to protect this site from mining interests. Later continue down
the spectacular West Coast. The coastal Paparoa National Park
MAR 8: Kahurangi National Park, Mt Arthur was established as a result or prolonged pressure from Forest
Travel down the Motueka Valley and to North West Nelson. & Bird, by the likes of conservation stalwarts Craig Potton and
The Graham Valley provides the easiest access to Kahurangi Andy Dennis in 1987. Later this afternoon enjoy further coastal
National Park. This national park is perhaps the botanically walks through the lush hardwood and nikau forest and at
most diverse in the country. Red, silver, black and mountain Punakaiki itself. Stay Punakaiki.
beeches predominate and at higher altitude mountain cedar
forest appears. The track to Mount Arthur, through lush beech
forest, provides opportunities to seek out two unique forms of
New Zealand life –giant land snails and the giant wētā. Excellent
pest control by Friends of Flora volunteers enables such rarities
to survive, and for other amazing lifeforms to thrive. Meet
renowned ecologist Kath Walker, a world leader in conservation
of Powelliphanta, our renowned carnivorous giant land snails.
Mid-afternoon return to Nelson.
11MAR 10: Ōkārito, Waikukupa Forests MAR 11: Lake Moeraki, lush rainforest walk, night
This morning we will travel down the humid forested West walk, glow worms, giant eels
Coast. Just north of Franz Josef lies the majestic podocarp A day in the vicinity of this excellent nature lodge. Walk down
rain forests of Ōkārito and Waikukupa. Concerted Forest & to nearby Munro beach and, who knows, there may even be a
Bird campaigns in the late 1970s and early 1980s resulted moulting tawaki Fiordland crested penguin to view. The track
in these tracts of forests being protected in 1982. We walk winds down through stunning lush West Coast rainforest,
to the renowned Ōkārito Trig for spectacular views over and kōkopu native fish live in the stream. Early morning and
these magnificent untouched forest tracts that are home to evening strolls from the lodge for nocturnal life, including
the endangered rowi kiwi. This afternoon continue south to glow worms and ruru morepork, and to view eels living in the
overnight at the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge. Owned and Moeraki River.
run by Gerry McSweeney, former president and Chief Executive
of Forest & Bird, this lodge is set amidst unrivalled South
Westland rainforest. Stay in these stunning surroundings two
nights.
12MAR 12: South Westland World Heritage, Hector’s MAR13: Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary, lizards,
dolphin Dunedin
Heading for the arid grandeur of Central Otago, we will head We depart for heartland Central Otago and the dry schist
east, crossing Haast Pass, where we’ll stop in sub-Antarctic landscapes that are home to fascinating skink and gecko fauna.
beech forest to see if we can find the declining mohua Visit the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary near Alexandra. Meet
yellowhead and any other forest birds. But first we will walk Grant Norbury and gain an excellent insight into two of the
through the primeval kahikatea-dominated rain forests just rarest skinks in Aotearoa, the grand and Otago skinks, that
north of Haast. Afternoon arrival into Wanaka. Stay one night. have been re-introduced into this a safe haven. Early afternoon
continue to Dunedin.
13SECTOR 2 Pricing
ECHOES OF
DEPARTS: Tauranga
ENDS: Dunedin
GONDWANA DEPARTURE:
PRICE:
3 March 2021
NZD$4,095 est. per person (10 nights)
Inclusions
n Services of tour naturalist, Mark Hanger.
n All tour travel departing from Tauranga and terminating
in Dunedin
n Three meals daily, with exception of 2 nights
(second night’s dinner in Wellington and Nelson)
n All accommodation
n Information folio including background ecological
information and species lists for areas visited
n Mana Island excursion
n Inter-island ferry
n Goods and Services Tax of 15%
n Admission fees where applicable
n Contribution to Forest & Bird.
BOOK THIS TOUR
n Add-ons: Single room rate add $NZ1060.00 per person
and feel good knowing
a proportion of your fare
supports Forest & Bird
14MAR 13: Arrive Dunedin
Meet your naturalist guide in Dunedin. Stay in Dunedin three
nights with first night B&B only.
SECTOR 3 MAR 14: Otago Harbour and marine wildlife
We begin our journey with a fascinating harbour cruise taking
TE AO O TE us around Taiaroa Head, the only mainland breeding site of
northern royal albatross. With a wingspan of three metres, these
TANGAROA I seabirds certainly are impressive, soaring over cliffs dotted with
nests of spotted shags and the rare Otago shags. Past rocky
MURIHIKU shelves of lounging fur seals we will sail, if conditions permit,
a little offshore to enjoy albatross and shearwater feeding
A marine world beyond the tail end of the land sessions. It is indeed a magical wildlife experience to discover
5 nights, departing March 13 New Zealand’s rich and diverse seabird treasures. This afternoon
join Forest & Bird’s Dunedin-based conservation manager for
a fascinating insight into the fight to establish the first-ever
coastal marine reserves off the Otago coast.
15MAR 15: Hoiho, kororā, NZ sealions, Otago University Marine Lab
The Otago Peninsula and the Catlins (pictured) are home to a wonderful array of marine life. We begin our day by visiting one of
the spectacular sandy beaches that are haul-out and breeding sites for whakahao, the New Zealand sealion. We will then visit the
Otago University Marine Lab and hear about the significance of the deep oceanic trenches running out from the Peninsula. Those
same trenches are critical feeding grounds for the hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin. Nesting around the peninsula, this species is
extremely threatened and at risk from commercial fishing practices. We’ll visit a hoiho breeding site. This evening some may opt to
return to the Otago Peninsula to view the diminutive kororā little blue penguins as they return to shore just after dark.
16MAR 16: Catlins coastal podocarp forests, NZ
Sealions, Hector’s dolphin
Depart Dunedin for the jewel of the southern coast. The Catlins
includes some of the finest coastal scenery and lowland forests
in the country. Endemic species inhabit coastal cliffs, below
which New Zealand fur seals breed. Beyond, lush Gondwanan
forests run down to superb sweeping sandy beaches with not
a soul in sight. Late afternoon arrival in Bluff. Cross to Rakiura
Stewart Island late afternoon. Stay Oban two nights.
MAR 17: Ferns, albatross, Ulva Island, Rakiura
National Park, tokoeka brown kiwi
Removed from reality on this idyllic hideaway, we discover the
grand diversity of life on this, the least modified of the three main
islands of New Zealand. This afternoon we take a short boat
trip across Paterson Inlet to near-pristine Ulva Island. There are
carpets of bryophytes, liverworts, and dancing spider orchids.
MAR 18: Ferry trip, completion.
Morning ferry back to Bluff. Trip termination following drive
back to Dunedin.
17SECTOR 3 Pricing
TE AO O TE
DEPARTS: Dunedin
ENDS: Dunedin (or Invercargil)
TANGAROA I DEPARTURE: 13 March 2021
MURIHIKU
PRICE: NZD$2,085 per person (5 nights)
Inclusions
n Services of tour naturalist, Mark Hanger.
n All tour travel departing from Dunedin and
terminating in Dunedin (or Invercargill)
n Three meals daily
n All accommodation
n Information folio including background ecological
information and species lists for areas visited
n Ulva Island excursion
n Stewart island pelagic cruise
n Goods and Services Tax of 15%
n Admission fees where applicable
n Contribution to Forest & Bird.
n Add-ons: Single room rate add $NZ400 per person
BOOK THIS TOUR
and feel good knowing
a proportion of your fare
supports Forest & Bird
18FOREST & BIRD FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
TOURS Mark Hanger 021 680 524 or email
m.hanger@forestandbird.org.nz
SUPPORTING Fundraising for Forest & Bird
CONSERVATION Profits from all of these tours will go to the Society.
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