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Offered languages
- English
Takahē Adventures runs this private tour north of Auckland, guided by Paul, the owner, and shaped around your group. Choose the day tour or the afternoon/evening tour with a kiwi walk.
Explore Tāwharanui, a predator-proof sanctuary where native birds have returned in numbers and four takahē live. Pick a walk from the 3.5 km Ecology Path to the 11.3 km coast loop, then swim at sheltered Anchor Bay or the mermaid rock pools at low tide.
In Matakana, walk a sculpture trail and enjoy a wine tasting, with optional stops for oysters, gelato or coffee. A gourmet picnic is included: lunch by the beach on the day tour, dinner at sunset in the evening.
On the evening tour we walk into the forest after dark with red-light torches, looking for wild North Island brown kiwi. Sightings aren't guaranteed, but this is one of the few places near Auckland with a genuine chance.
Children welcome. Every tour supports the conservation group the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We pick up from anywhere in Auckland: your hotel, Airbnb, Auckland Airport or the cruise ship terminal, and drop you back where you started or wherever you're going next. Day tour pickup is 9:00 am (back about 5:30 pm); afternoon/evening tour pickup is 2:00 pm (back about 10:30 pm). If these don't work, send us a message and we'll put together something which suits your timing.
Itinerary
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1
A predator-proof open sanctuary where native birds have returned in numbers: pūkeko, pīwakawaka, tūī, kererū, pāteke and pūtangitangi are likely, and it's home to four takahē. Choose the Ecology Path (3.5 km), the North Coast Track to Takatu Point (7.5 km) or the full North and South Coast Loop (11.3 km). On the afternoon/evening option, a picnic dinner at sunset is followed by a one- to two-hour guided walk after dark with red-light torches, looking for wild North Island brown kiwi.
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
2Matakana Village
We'll have a wine tasting and visit a sculpture trail.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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