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Okarito Boat EcoTours

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Okarito - New Zealand's largest and unmodified wetlands. Surrounded by the towering Southern Alps and rainforest waterways, on the open air boat you are instantly engaged in watching the birds and incredible landscapes.

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Okarito - untouched by time.
Okarito - untouched by time.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
A kotuku catching its meal.
A kotuku catching its meal.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The Okarito Wharf.
The Okarito Wharf.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.
Okarito - untouched by time.
Okarito - untouched by time.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
A kotuku catching its meal.
A kotuku catching its meal.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The Okarito Wharf.
The Okarito Wharf.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.
Okarito - untouched by time.
Okarito - untouched by time.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Southern Alps are a stunning backdrop.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
Kotuku - Great White Herons.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
A "kotuku" resting in the reeds.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
Southern Alps from far up in the Okarito waterways.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
The boat is a great platform for photography.
A kotuku catching its meal.
A kotuku catching its meal.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The long distance godwit visits from Alaska & Siberia, alongside a stilt.
The Okarito Wharf.
The Okarito Wharf.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.
Okarito lagoon - one of New Zealand's most biodiverse areas - majestic.

About

We invite you to come and visit Okarito - experience the magic of this small village with the big landscapes - and New Zealand's largest unmodified wetlands - over 3000 hectares, only a 25-minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier. ​Yes! there are white herons and royal spoonbills here year round - lots of birdlife and so much more to see! We are a partner team - Swade and Paula - and have operated here for 14 years. We love to share our knowledge and passion of our unique environment. The surrounding landscape is simply stunning - with clear skies we see Mount Cook and Tasman, Franz Josef Glacier - an amazing backdrop to the ancient kahikatea forest and wetland rushes in the foreground. Lots of opportunity for photography enthusiasts.

Location

31 Wharf Street, Okarito, New Zealand
Things to See & Do
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Matheson Cafe

Open 7 days from 8.30 am, Lake Matheson Cafe is just a few minutes drive from Fox Glacier at the entrance to the Lake Matheson Walkway. With comfortable seating options and deck area, we have unsurpassed views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.

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Hotel Hari Hari

Hotel Hari Hari

A true country style hotel in the rural village of Hari Hari.

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58 On Cron Motel

We are ideally situated just a short stroll into the main village business hub, surrounded by native bush and majestic mountains, providing privacy for guests in a tranquil, peaceful relaxing setting.

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Glacier Country Helicopters Ltd.

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company in Franz Josef offering scenic glacier flights and much more in our incredible backyard.

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Monsoon Bar

Monsoon Bar

Enjoy a pre-dinner drink on the decks or cosy up in front of the fireplace before settling in for a relaxed dining experience at Monsoon bar & restaurant.

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Glacier Country Scenic Flights

Glacier Country Scenic Flights

The best way to experience the New Zealand glaciers is on a scenic helicopter flight with Glacier Country Scenic flights.

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Alpine Glacier Motel, Franz Josef

Spacious, ground floor and down stairs studios and family units with spectacular alpine and rainforest views.

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Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park

Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park is an ideal base for exploring Glacier Country.

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air Safaris

Air Safaris Franz Josef

Our Grand Traverse scenic flight from Franz Josef provides the best way to experience this glacial environment in its entirety.

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