Okarito Nature Tour
- 3–4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Instant confirmation
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
Embark on the Ōkārito Nature Tour with Glacier Valley Eco Tours and explore New Zealand's South Westland. Just 20 minutes from Franz Josef Glacier, the coastal village of Ōkārito offers superb bird-watching amidst stunning natural diversity. This tour is suitable for all ages and includes a shuttle from Franz Josef or an option to meet in Ōkārito. Guides lead you through lush rainforests, estuaries, sea cliffs, and wetlands, revealing views of the Southern Alps, including Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Tasman, and Franz Josef Glacier. Discover the area's gold mining history and encounter up to 76 bird species such as the white heron, kea, fernbirds, and kakariki. Visit the Ōkārito Community Native Plant Nursery to plant a native tree for our Ōkārito Restoration project. Immerse yourself in Ōkārito's mystique and spectacular sunsets. Book your tour today to uncover Ōkārito's natural wonders!
Inclusions
What's included
- Wet weather clothing - (please call to order sizes)
- Walking boots - (please call to book as limited supply available)
- Coffee and/or Tea
- umbrellas
- Walking poles if required
What's not
- Lunch
- water
Itinerary
Visit this historic ex-gold mining village, home to now 35 permanent residents. Loads of history, and home to 75 sea and land bird species including eastern bar-tailed godwits, Rowi Kiwi, banded dotterels, ferbirds and the infamous Kotuku (white heron) - its perfect for those that love birds and nature. With lagoons, rugged west coast beaches, mountains, wildlife & historic buildings this is NZ's hidden gem. Key points normally include Okarito historic Wharf shed/lagoon & Okarito beach.
Join your guided walking tour to the Okarito Trig point, through beautiful west coast bush, flora & fauna, including native mushrooms & orchids, info on how this landscape has been shaped over time by glaciers. Wonder in 360 degree views of the Okarito village, Okarito Lagoon, 3 Mile lagoon, beach & coastline, Westland Tai Poutini National Park (home to the Rowi Kiwi) Mt Cook & Mt Tasman (NZ's highest mountains) & Franz Josef Glacier at the top of this track.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 57
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 7 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We can meet you here on SH6 at the turn off to Okarito at 10:45 am
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- Glacier Valley Eco Tours
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
How it compares in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
- Its from-price is 75% below the median of the 59 experiences we list in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 45 of 59.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Franz Josef and Fox are two glaciers on New Zealand's West Coast that flow from the Southern Alps almost into temperate rainforest.
The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers descend from the Southern Alps through steep valleys into lowland rainforest on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, ending only a few hundred metres above sea level. The two small townships, about twenty-five kilometres apart, sit in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. Julius von Haast named Franz Josef in 1865 after the Austrian emperor.
Top-ranked sights in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier South Side Walkway.
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