South Island Hot spots

By rail ferry, this trip takes 3 hrs from Wellington to Picton. On a fine day, a wide range of pelagic bird species can be spotted from the deck of the ship. Keep a sharp lookout for King Shags on the rocks near the entrance of Tory Channel. Penguins, seals and dolphins are commonly seen.

This is a great sand spit that stretches out across the mouth of Golden Bay, named farewell by Cpt. Cook as it was the last part of NZ he saw when he departed in the Sailing ship Endevour in 1770. Access to the end of the spit can only be achieved by taking a trip with the local tour operator. At the far end there is a gannet colony and on the inland side the shallow waters are a summer home to thousands of migratory waders.

http://www.farewell-spit.co.nz/

South of the Grassmere Salt Works, turn off SH1 into Marfells Beach Road and follow the road across the railway line and around the lake. It is permissible to walk across the fields to the lake edge. A spotting scope is real asset here to look at wading birds and waterfowl. Australasian shoveler and banded dotterel can be present in large numbers. In summer, rare migrant waders can be present.

The Kaikoura coastline is a haven for NZ fur seal and there are several rookeries. Ohau Point (30 mins driving north of Kaikoura Township) is just one of many locations. Take care with crossing the road when parking at the viewing area as this is a busy area.

The Mecca for pelagic birdwatching, sperm whale and dolphin watching. No need to add additional information to what you can find at the following websites.

If time permits, plan to spend several days in this location in order to guarantee being able to get out on the water, as since this is an exposed coastline, boat trips are easily cancelled. Don’t forget to visit the Irish Pub, great atmosphere and terrific meals. There can be large numbers of seals at Kaikoura Peninsula, please keep more than 15 metres away from these creatures, and don’t get between them and the sea as they can move incredibly fast.

From Christchurch head south on the SH 75 to Akaroa. As you get near Lake Ellesmere you will pass Ahuriri Road on your left, then the next road on your right is Duck Pond Road, turn down this road past the race course. This road turns sharply to the right and becomes ridge road. Half way down, turn left into Jarvis Road, follow until the cross road intersection with Hudsons Road, turn left and follow until you reach the houses at Park Green Huts. At the far house you can drive around the settlement to a gate that leads out to the lake. Walk out to the lake edge from here, it can be wet underfoot so take boots. Waterfowl are present in huge numbers. Dotterels, spoonbill and wading migrants are common in spring – summer.

At the Park Green Huts, the main road passes through a gate and continues across farmland on a paper road. Be careful in winter as this dirt road to the boat ramp can prove very slippery for 2WD. Park you vehicle at the boat ramp and walk the track along the stream to the lake. Keep a sharp eye out for secretive rails amongst the waterside vegetation.

These world-famous large concretion boulders are found along a very small stretch of the sandy beech, where they are eroded out of the cliff. Their location is well sign posted south of Oamaru on SH1.

South of Moeraki is Shag Point, a historic site of an old underground coal mine. The main attraction are seals, spotted shags and other sea birds. Yellow-eyed penguin can sometimes be seen, mostly during early evening when they are returning from a days feeding.

This area is a real wildlife haven with much to see and do. The albatross colony is closed during November when birds are preparing to nest, but the centre is open all year round. In November adult albatross can be seen flying around and over the headland and depending on the wind direction, you can get very close views. At Taiaroa head, Stewart Is. and Spotted shags nest along the cliffs, and in Oct-Nov the spotted shags are displaying their spotted breeding plumage. Blue penguins are very common and can be found in holes along the bank at Pilot’s Beech. Please do not disturb the birds. The best time to see the penguins is during spring-summer months when birds return to nests after sunset. They emerge from the water very quickly, running up the beech enmass just as daylight fades out. Their grunting welcoming calls to nest mates can be heard clearly.

NZ fur seals can be found basking at Pilot’s Beech. Around some of the sandy beeches, especially the one before driving up to Taiaroa Head are worth exploring, as there can be the occasional NZ Sea lion present, do not approach to closely or disturb, like fur seals, they can be quick beasts. For good close up views of Yellow-eyed penguin, you cannot do better than to visit the penguin Trust, evening tours are best when adults are returning to nests.

Take time to drive over to Papanui and Hoopers Inlets, the former is more shallow and favoured by wading bird migrants.

See following websites: 

A trip into the park should be embarked upon as early in the day as possible, before tourist buses arrive in great numbers at around 9am. A good starting point is from Te Anau Downs Motor Inn.

In summer your first stop should be as you enter the Eglinton Valley, (before Knobs Flat visitor info site) there is a pull-off on the left towards the river. In the braded river channels you will see black-fronted terns skimming for insects above the water.

Next stop is the mirror lake, you can’t miss the sign for this.

On the far side of the Cascade Creek bridge is a left hand turnoff into the Lake Gunn walkway. This is a short loop track, through beech forest, a slow walk of around half and hour should enable you to spot rifleman, parakeets, brown creeper and if lucky yellowhead.

Drive on till you reach the Homer Tunnel. Cheeky Kea, our alpine parrot, is always present for tourists. Under no circumstances should you leave your vehicle unattended with these hooligans around, as they will strip any rubber or plastic fixtures off within seconds. Don’t tell me you have not been warned!

It is said that Rock wren can be spotted on the rock scree around the tunnel, I’ve certainly never been able to see them, but then I’ve always been far too concerned about the kea around my car.

The jewel of Fiordland National Park, a nature tour boat trip is a must. In spring Fiordland Crested Penguin are present. Dolphin, seal, albatross (at the entrance of the fiord), grey duck, waterfalls and more waterfalls are key attractions. Having been present in all kinds of weather, I can assure you that this place is most spectacular when it is raining.

On your return drive from Milford Sound, venture down the Lower Hollyford Road that follows the river. Stop frequently, where you can do so safely, and scan the river with binos for blue duck, also listen for their distinctive whistles. If time permits, drive to the end of the road (approx 16 kms) to the Humboldt Falls track. This is a short walk to some spectacular falls, certainly worth the excursion.

All of the inland lakes support a wide range of endemic and introduced birds, here is a list of some you will spot: black billed gull, NZ scaup, grey teal, NZ shoveller, pukeko, Australasian coot, black swan, Canadian Goose, mallard, paradise shell duck, grey duck, dotterel (braded rivers), pied stilt, great crested grebe.

Travelling west on SH8 just out of Lake Tekapo Village, you will find Godley Peaks Rd on you right hand side. Turn down this shingle road and follow it until you reach Lake McGregor (approx 9km) located beside Lake Tekapo. This little Lake is a gem with many different waterfowl present, black stilt are sometimes present on the shallow lake edge and flood zone below the fork in the road.

Near the township of Twizel, is DoC's black stilt sanctuary, tour bookings should be made at the Twizel Information centre. See following website for further info. Black Stilt Sanctuary

Along this road, especially on the section before dropping down into the Arrowtown valley, you should keep a sharp lookout for New Zealand Falcon, as this bird often frequents the mountain ranges especially in spring and summer months.