Arrive Napier for a short stop before departing at 2.30pm. Arrive Chatham Islands around 5pm where you will be met by your hosts. Enjoy a short tour around town before transferring to your accommodation.
A buffet dinner is a great way to get to know the group.
Friday 08 B L D
After breakfast depart for Kopinga Marae where you will be shown around and given the history of the Moriori people followed by morning tea. Later drive to the fishing village of Owenga and onto Rangi-ika cliff top.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a walk to the Reserve, a short tour of the Owenga Village and drive to the site of the Tommy Solomon Statue. Tommy was the last full blooded Moriori. A good photo stop.
You will see Chatham Island Forget-me-nots in the wild and Chatham Island Rautini (plant of the year 2007) and the beautiful Kekeretehe with the purple and white flowers.
Saturday 09 B L D
After breakfast depart for a full day tour heading out towards the Ocean Mail Reserve which is one of NZ?s biggest wetlands (830 sq kms).
See the Chatham Island Bamboo Rush, Mingimingi Plant and the Chatham Island Flax. View the Moriori tree carvings (dendroglyps) with the Kopi Tree and finish off at Kaingaroa Point to see Captain Cook Scurvy Grass(the only place it grows on the Chathams) and many other endemic plants. This tour will help you appreciate the size, beauty and culture of the Chathams. Lunch Hapupu Reserve.
Dinner will be a scrumptious seafood buffet at the Hotel Chatham.
Sunday 10 B L D
Today there are two options.
Fishing for those who wish to do the included ½ day boat fishing trip. These fishing trips are very ?Chatham Islands?, a great experience and you will have loads of fun and can expect to catch blue cod and groper on your ?rope? line. Gloves are recommended!
For those not fishing, there will be a group cliff walk to Tikitiki Hill where you will see the Chatham Island Ice Plant, and view the Blow Hole.
At 10.30am a local church service is available for those who wish to attend.
Later depart the hotel for the amazing Basalt Columns ? see the beautiful oyster catchers and other seabirds on this stretch of coastline.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before driving to Port Hutt and Waitangi West where you can stretch your legs and view the rugged seascape before returning to Admiral Farm to take a walk around Lois Croon?s lovely garden (Forget-me-not Heaven!!)
Enjoy an evening BBQ dinner at Admiral Farm.
Monday 11 B L D
After breakfast depart for the DOC Nursery and be guided by the local staff who will talk about their current rejuvenation projects.Then on to Te Matarae, home of the ex Mayor, Pat Smith. Take a walk around his garden and hear some of the tales of his life on the Chatham Islands while viewing Nikau Palms and other beautiful endemic plants. Enjoy a picnic lunch.
Tuesday 12 B L D
After breakfast depart for Wharekauri, visiting Blind Jims at Te Whanga Lagoon. Search the shoreline for fossilised sharks teeth (millions of years old) then visit the rock carvings (petroglyphs).
After a picnic lunch at Cape Young, Wharekauri, visit the Nikau Scenic Reserve to see the Karamu and Chatham Island Mahoe.
Wednesday 13 B L D
Free time early morning to walk around town, calling at the local craft shop and possibly the museum before departing for the South Coast. See spectacular coastal scenery and some of the island finest sheep and cattle farms. Stop in the Tuku Reserve to spot the endemic Wood Pigeon.
Lunch stop at Ohinemana ? an Historic Homestead reminiscent of some of the homes built by the early pioneers on the Chatham Islands. Enjoy a delicious Devonshire lunch with Amanda and Tess before wandering through the house and gardens.
Return to the hotel in time to freshen up, relax a bit and perhaps enjoy a drink in the pub before the farewell dinner!
Thursday 14 B
After breakfast transfer to the airport for a mid-morning Air Chathams Convair flight, arriving in Auckland around midday.
At the end of your trip to the Chathams you will have enjoyed most of the endemic plants in flower and you can always ask to go back to Admiral Farm to enjoy more of the Chatham Island Lillies.