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Peregrine Travel Centre

Chatham Islands: The Wild Side – Guided Land Tour from Christchurch

Chatham Islands: The Wild Side – Guided Land Tour from Christchurch

From NZD $7,175

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Description

This is one of our most comprehensive Chatham Island itineraries, taking you to the remote corners to discover many of the unique bird species that call the Chatham Islands home. Enjoy a boat trip to watch the birdlife that spends its time at sea, and sail close by SE Island and Mangere Island.

Discover the Chatham Islands along with the many bird species that call these islands home. Enjoy a small boat trip to watch the bird life that spends its time at sea as well as sail close by SE Island and Mangere Island, these islands are central to the survival story of the Chatham Island Black Robin. Asides from learning about the birdlife you will meet the locals and visit each corner of the island to see the various historical and geographical sites.

The Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s eastern most outpost, the first place in the world to welcome the new day and a treasure trove of endemic plants and animals that have evolved in isolation and make these islands one of New Zealand’s most biologically important regions.

Originally colonized by the Moriori people who created a unique lifestyle and society on the islands while living in isolation from the outside world on the abundant natural resources of the sea and land. Later European and Maori arrivals brought their own history and traditions which have melded together to create the culture of the Chatham Islands. Today many locals are descended from Moriori genealogy, a history and culture that you can discover during your stay.

The Chatham Islands lie at the eastern extremity of the Chatham Rise and were formed by a combination of volcanic activity and uplift of the underlying basement rocks to create the low lying rolling landscape of the main island while the outlying smaller islands are the remains of individual volcanic events. The fauna and flora of the Chatham’s has strong affinities to the main islands of New Zealand but through isolation many species have evolved to the local climate becoming unique to the islands. The oceanic climate ensures a wide diversity of species are able to flourish while the ocean brings its own unique abundance of sea life including the albatross and petrels that breed primarily on the offshore Islands.

Our Chatham Islands program is designed from our long experience of travelling and working in these remarkable islands to give you the greatest opportunity to experience all that the islands are able to offer.

Trip Name
Chatham Islands: The Wild Side - Guided Land Tour from Christchurch
Days
8
Overview
The Wild Earth Travel Chatham Island itineraries stay at the following places: Hotel Chatham The Forget-me-not Suites Chatham Rise Motel Travellers Rest Beach Houses Enquire with Wild Earth Travel to find out the accommodation you will be staying at for your departure date. Hotel Chatham - Seaside charm and hospitality Hotel Chatham looks out across Waitangi Bay to the wharf, broad sweeping beach and Red Bluff in the distance. With its restaurant, timber-lined bar and relaxed atmosphere, it's where the heart of the island beats.  The Forget-me-not Suites These nine spacious five star suites offer you luxury, space and views for your ultimate Island holiday! They were opened in 2020, so offer you a fresh modern stay in the heart of the Chatham's.  Chatham Rise Motel The Chatham Rise Motel is a good option for independent travellers, and small holidaying or working groups wanting quiet and privacy, just 700 metres up from Hotel Chatham. Chatham Rise Motel includes four units: Unit 1 has five bedrooms with a large shared lounge and kitchen, group dining table and comfortable lounge. Laundry is available onsite. Hotel Chatham runs a courtesy van to and from the Bar and Restaurant.  Traveller's Rest Travellers Rest includes a large shared lounge, traditional porch with sea views, tradittionally-styled rooms, a self-contained unit and a two-bedroom unit with provate lounge and fully equipped kitchen.  The Beach Houses The Beach Houses include a two-bedroom cottage overlooking a private garden, three individual units within a house, and a separate self-contained unit. The Beach Houses are tucked in behind the bright white sand dunes along Waitangi Bay. The stunning beach is right on your doorstep. The Beach Houses are located 1100 metres from Hotel Chatham. Hotel Chatham runs a courtesy van to and from the Bar and Restaurant. Restaurant Fish, freshly caught from the converging current waters around the Chathams, is a specialty at Hotel Chatham. Depending on what's just been caught, you'll have the opportunity to try local seafood delicacies including crayfish, hapuku or groper, blue cod and paua. And if seafood isn’t your thing, there are plenty of menu choices too. As well as New Zealand wines and brews, Hotel Chatham is the only place you’ll enjoy the local craft beer Breezy Brew lager with a hint of Toni's Chatham Island wild honey.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
Our Chatham Islands program begins atChristchurch Airport where we gather prior to flyingto the Chatham Islands at 1pm.Upon arrival you will be transferred to the HotelChathams in Waitangi which is our home awayfrom home for the week and the base for ourexploration of the Chatham Islands.
Day 2 - DAY 2: KAINGAROA & HAPUPU RESERVE
This morning we drive to Kaingaroa passingTe Whanga Lagoon as we make our way to theFar North East of the island. Here the coastlineis a mixture of sweeping white sand beachesinterrupted only by occasional headlands, onthese headlands both Chatham and Pitt IslandsShags are often seen as well as Fur Seals breedingon the rocks below. You will see some of thebest examples of the Chatham’s unique coastalvegetation plus Kaingaroa is historically importantas one of the first areas settled by Europeans.Nearby we have the privilege of visiting theHapupu Reserve where the Kopi trees still bear theenigmatic engravings of the Moriori.
Day 3 - DAY 3: OUTER ISLANDS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND PITT ISLAND
Today is dedicated to exploring the outer islands inthe South East of the Chathams, and the incrediblyrich waters that surround the islands. Weatherconditions permitting we will travel by boat whichgives opportunities for spotting some of theendemic seabirds including Chatham Albatross,Buller’s Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross,Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters that all breedlocally.Adjacent to Pitt Island are two of the mostsignificant islands in New Zealand conservationand we plan to sail close by both SE Island andMangere. These islands are central to the survival story of theChatham Island Black Robin and provide a refugefor a number of other critically endangered birdsincluding New Zealand Shore Plover and ForbesParakeet, both of which we will be on the lookoutfor today.We will also visit Pitt Island, thesecond largest Island in the Chatham’s and the onlyother inhabited island, with a population of just 45,life here is generally peaceful. We plan to spendthe day here exploring the islands nature reserves,visiting Mt Hakepa and enjoying lunch hosted atthe Flower Pott Lodge.
Day 4 - DAY 4: NORTH WEST CHATHAM ISLAND
In the North West of the Chatham’s there areextensive farms, fern lands and striking volcaniccones. Travelling to the end of the road at WaitangiWest we find more sweeping white sand beachesand here there is the opportunity to look for theendemic Chatham Island Oyster Catcher.On the lower slopes of Maunganui we will visitthe stone cottage, built entirely of local materialsincluding mortar made from burnt pipi shells. AtOhira Bay we will explore the massive columnarbasalt columns that are nearly 80 million years old.
Day 5 - DAY 6: HENGA SCENIC RESERVE AND NURSERY
Today we focus on the unique botanical nature of the Chatham Islands with its many endemic plant species with a visit to Henga Scenic Reserve and Nursery, we will walk through the regenerating coastal forest as it transitions to sand dune vegetation. There is also the opportunity to purchase native Chatham’s plants from the nursery. At the Nikau Reserve we will be able to explore the protected 19ha reserve that conserves the broadleaf forest and a fine stand of endemic Nikau palms. This afternoon we plan to visit the stunning sheltered gardens of Val Snr & Lois Croon, planted in an array of native and exotic species these gardens showcase the floral diversity of the Chathams.
Day 6 - DAY 6: SOUTH COAST
The south coast of Chatham Island is completelydifferent to the rest of the island, rising to higherelevations and still retaining significant areas ofvegetation that thrives in the thick covering of peatthat blankets the landscape.The enigmatic Taiko or Magenta Petrel wasrediscovered breeding along the Tuku River andis now intensively managed to ensure its ongoingsurvival.A visit to the Awatotara Reserve is an excellentopportunity to see a great example of communitylead conservation making a real difference as theforest regenerates and birdlife flourishes, be on the lookout today for the endemic Chatham IslandPigeon, Tomtit and Fantail and Warbler.We are planning to work with the ChathamIsland Taiko Trust during our visit to provide theopportunity to spend time with the researchersfrom the trust to see and learn more about theirinvaluable and ground breaking conservation workin protecting the critically endangered Taiko alongwith other species including Chatham Island Petreland Chatham Albatross.
Day 7 - DAY 7: OWENGA FISHING VILLAGE
Our last full day in the Chatham’s and anopportunity to focus on the islands history andculture, this morning we make our way to thefishing village of Owenga where you will be able tosee the statue commemorating Tommy Solomon,the last full blooded Moriori.Standing atop the Rangaiki Cliffs with their 250mhigh sheer drop to the sea below there are amazingviews on a clear day to Pitt and Mangere Islands aswell as out to the seldom seen 44’s.The Kopinga Marae is an expression of Moriorispirituality and culture and an opportunity for youto learn about the history of the first inhabitants ofthe Chatham Islands (known to Moriori as Rekohu).
Day 8 - DAY 8: CHATHAM ISLANDS TO CHRISTCHURCH
After breakfast this morning we make our wayto the airport for our return flight to Christchurchwhere we expect to arrive at midday
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-01-202515-01-2025NZD $7,175Forget Me Not
08-01-202515-01-2025NZD $7,175Chathams Motels

Inclusions

    • Enjoy the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the island
    • Learn about the unique Chatham Islands birds and plants
    • Explore the basalt columns of Ohira Bay
    • Visit Pitt Island, exploring the islands nature reserves
    • Learn about the Moriori people and visit the Moriori Kopinga Marae
    • Spend a full day exploring the outer islands of the Chathams from the water including
    • SE Island and Mangere
    • Travel with Mike Bell, one of the foremost experts on the Chatham Islands birdlife
    • Learn about the work of the Chatham Island Taiko Trust

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