BAC to Nature: Conservation Tour
BAC to Nature: Bird & Conservation Tour - Bringing together tourism venue operators up and down the Coast, this package tells the conservation story of the West Coast. Pre-booking required.
Day 1 & 2
40 min, 46.3 km
This is a guided tour which needs prior booking.
Please contact Jan at Breakers, stay@breakers.co.nz to confirm arrangements:
Day 1: Explore Punakaiki area visit DOC Centre/Paparoa walk/ Pororari river walk etc. Learn about the extensive predator project from Jan & Stephen at Breakers Boutique Accommodation.
Leon Dalziel started the extensive predator programme in the Motukiekie region.
2 nights Accommodation & Inclusions: Breakers Boutique
Breakfasts x 2
Homemade pizza & wine x 1 night (1 night on own).
Donation: $100 to predator control program
https://www.breakers.co.nz/sustainability and our environment
Local Attractions
Free
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
The pancake rocks in Punakaiki are the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast with good reason, they really do look like pancakes!
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Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre
The Department of Conservation (DOC) Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre is located within the Punangairi Visitor Centre in Punakaiki.
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$525
Breakers Boutique Accommodation
Stunning absolute beachfront location with superb sea views. Breakers offers four ensuite double rooms all overlooking the sea. Homemade pizza (pre-ordered) and New Zealand beer/wine available. Free WIFI. Relax to the sound of the breaking waves.
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Free
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
The pancake rocks in Punakaiki are the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast with good reason, they really do look like pancakes!
Learn more
Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre
The Department of Conservation (DOC) Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre is located within the Punangairi Visitor Centre in Punakaiki.
Learn more
$525
Breakers Boutique Accommodation
Stunning absolute beachfront location with superb sea views. Breakers offers four ensuite double rooms all overlooking the sea. Homemade pizza (pre-ordered) and New Zealand beer/wine available. Free WIFI. Relax to the sound of the breaking waves.
Learn moreDay 3
3 hours, 217 km
Self drive to Franz Josef
Accommodation: Ribbonwood Retreat B&B
Hosts Julie & Jo are passionate about their environment
Julie a former teacher and Jo headed up the Okarito Kiwi/ Rowi recovery project at Department of Conservation. They have a beautiful B&B with choice of private cottage or B&B rooms.
Julie and Jonathan offer you personalised advice on how to best experience the glacier region. We are near Okarito forest, home to New Zealand's Rowi the rarest kiwi. Jo can explain all about that, he was formerly the programme manager of kiwi in Franz Josef for the Department of Conservation.
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Local Attractions
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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Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
This is the Glacier Country offering a wealth of adventure activities!
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.
Learn more
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
This is the Glacier Country offering a wealth of adventure activities!
Day 4
25 min, 27.4 km
Okarito Eco Tour and Village Walk with Okarito Boat Tours followed by custom walk through the village to the Okarito Plants Nursery introduction to a small communities' efforts and successes with predator control, restoration and self sustainability.
Includes a donation to the Okarito Native Plants Nursery.
Optional beach/Trig walk on own. Lunch on own.
VIP Guided Tour & Backstage pass tour at Kiwi Wildlife Centre
This is a fully guided tour with one of our senior Wildlife Rangers through the incubation and rearing facility where you will learn about the history and successes of the Operation Nest Egg program. Plus, you will also go behind the scenes to see our Tuatara Encounter
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is the largest Kiwi Captive Rearing facilities in the South Island and is helping bring the critically endangered rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi back from extinction in partnership with DOC and local iwi.
Time to explore Franz valley walks, DoC , etc.
Accommodation:
Ribbonwood Retreat B&B
2 nights accommodation
2 breakfasts
Lots of information & advice on the area/kiwi recovery program/native plants etc. Dinners recommended in Franz Josef at Snakebite and Alice Mays (latter has great history).
Local Attractions
Okarito lagoon and beach
Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland. A coastal lagoon, it is 130 kms south of Hokitika, covering an area of about 12km.
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Okarito Gorsebusters
Volunteers from all over New Zealand sign up to clear gorse from around the edges of Okarito Lagoon.
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$60 - $130
Okarito Kayaks
Stunning rental and fully guided kayak trips on the remote and tranquil Okarito Lagoon, with incredible views of the Southern Alps and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Family friendly and suitable for all abilities.
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Okarito lagoon and beach
Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland. A coastal lagoon, it is 130 kms south of Hokitika, covering an area of about 12km.
Learn more
Okarito Gorsebusters
Volunteers from all over New Zealand sign up to clear gorse from around the edges of Okarito Lagoon.
Learn more
$60 - $130
Okarito Kayaks
Stunning rental and fully guided kayak trips on the remote and tranquil Okarito Lagoon, with incredible views of the Southern Alps and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Family friendly and suitable for all abilities.
Learn moreDay 5
2 hours, 140 km
Self drive to Fox Glacier for Project Early Bird and Lake Matheson walk with
Glacier Valley Eco Tours - 3 hour guided walk plus talk on predator control, trapping efforts and future from a small & passionate family owned/operator.
3 hour morning guided nature tour around Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier.
1hr Project Early Bird: learn about predator control goals & initiatives; our future plans ; DOC 200 traps; baits; specific species protection & how; history, national parks & uniqueness of this area; community efforts to protect this area over time; education of the next generation.
Use of wet weather gear, umbrellas, walking poles (if required)
Includes a donation to our Project Early Bird trapping project =
$230.00 for two
Recommended lunch with Cafe Matheson, supporters of Project Early Bird
Self drive to Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki included late afternoon lodge activity (walk/kayak).
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Local Attractions
$80 - $180 adults. $40 - $90 children.
Glacier Valley Eco Tours
Glacier Valley Eco Tours is a family owned business committed to giving our clients the best experience on our guided nature walks in Glacier Country.
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Bruce Bay
Bruce Bay - or Mahitahi - is a small coastal settlement with stunning sea vistas and a wonderfully wild windswept beach, 40km south of Fox Glacier and 80 km from Haast.
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Free
Lake Matheson
The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast.
Learn more
$80 - $180 adults. $40 - $90 children.
Glacier Valley Eco Tours
Glacier Valley Eco Tours is a family owned business committed to giving our clients the best experience on our guided nature walks in Glacier Country.
Learn more
Bruce Bay
Bruce Bay - or Mahitahi - is a small coastal settlement with stunning sea vistas and a wonderfully wild windswept beach, 40km south of Fox Glacier and 80 km from Haast.
Learn more
Free
Lake Matheson
The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast.
Learn moreDay 6
1 hour, 93 km
Guided activity at the Wilderness Lodge
Gerry McSweeney a “pioneer” of ecotourism in New Zealand and Conservation Authority member for many years. Passionate, articulate and engaging!
Accommodation:
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
2 nights accommodation
2 breakfasts
1 lunch 2 gourmet dinners
1 half day guided activity plus daily short activities optional walks and activities on own.
Local Attractions
Free
Lake Matheson
The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast.
Learn more
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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Free
Lake Matheson
The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast.
Learn more
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.
Learn more