North Island Hot spots

Take the Scenic Route Road from the township of Titirangi which takes you along the top of the range to the Arataki visitors centre and beyond. There are many beautiful views across the Greater Auckland region from this location. The forest is broadleaf-kauri, and there are many short, beautiful walks to significant sized kauri trees within the park.

Birds to be seen: fantail, native pigeon, grey warbler, tui, bellbird, tomtits, silver eye, eastern rosella and sulphur crested cockatoo.    

This is a wildlife sanctuary with many translocated endangered bird species. Fuller Ferries provides transport from their Auckland terminal to the island, book in advance. Visit the following websites for further info. including bird species.

Located on the Firth of Thames. Has a visitor centre and place of accommodation. One of NZ best places to see migratory waders in summer, or the NZ wrybill in winter. See the following website for further info.

Located in northern Waikato region. Heading south on SH1, turn off into the left hand road at the old Meremere Power Station site. After crossing the railway line and first bridge, turn right into Island block road and follow until you reach the T intersection, turn right into Falls Road. Just near the next bridge is the DoC reserve. Walk quietly along the embankment in the reserve, as this is a good place to hear and see Australasian bittern. From here you can circuit the swamp by driving to Te Kauwhata and back onto SH1.

The lake has NZ dabchick, scaup, and a range of introduced water fowl, most of which can be seen near the town water front. Mokoia Is. has translocated stitch bird, saddleback, Nth Is. robin, weka, other natives include bellbird, tui, tomtits, and some white heads. A number of ferry operators can take you to the island. 

A little out of the way off SH38, but it is worth the day’s effort to visit. The Whirinaki River day trip can be the most productive track to take. Not only is it scenic with the river, it goes through some impressive podocarp forest. Blue duck frequent the river and with any luck several can be seen in one visit. The forest parrot the Kaka is fairly common as are many of the other native forest birds. Both species of migratory cuckoo can be heard in spring - summer months. Make sure to visit the DOC information centre on the main road past Murupara, before venturing into the park.

Located near north of Te Kuiti. These world famous limestone caves are on the main tourist route. The glow worm caves are a real must. If staying over night, visit the gorge track up the Waitomo Stream near the Aranui Cave, as the glow worms beside the river, before the swing bridge are even more spectacular than those in the cave. Take a torch to see nightlife such as weta, and with any luck you might hear or even see the morepork owl.

Situated on the western side of Lake Taupo off SH30. This is a podocarp forest with many short walks where bird life abounds. Kaka, pigeon, white head, Nth Is. robin, tui, bellbird, grey warbler, tomtit, red-crowned parakeets are common. Visit the DOC information centre for detailed info. An early morning rise before day break along the road to the buried forest (3/4 of the way down) can be rewarding with hearing the call of the kokako, and the site of long-tailed bats flying above the forest canopy.

Located south of Lake Taupo. There are many good day walks around the Whakapapa village area with views of all the volcanoes. Taranaki falls and silica rapids walks are two good ones. Fern bird can be heard and seen in the low scrub along the Taranaki Falls walk below the Château ponds. Rare native mistletoe can be seen on banded beech trees along the silica rapids walk. NZ Pipit is common throughout this area.

Off the Napier-Taupo SH5 , take the Clements Mill Road along the Kaingaroa Forest block, (Sika Lodge sign at trun-off). Follow the road into the park until reaching the Te Iringa carpark. The track to the old Te Iringa hut site is through beautiful native southern beech forest. A bird of note in this habitat is the tiny rifleman.

Situated at Napier on the east coast of the Nth Is. This is a most productive site in summer when migratory wading birds are present. There is a walking track around the lower region. Can be started from Pandora pond, taking you to and across the old embankment road bridge and then along Westshore and back. The Westshore wildlife sanctuary ponds beside the airport are another place for water birds.

Located on the west coast of the Nth Is. at the township of Foxton Beach. This is a most productive site in summer when migratory wading birds are present.