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Some of our favourite wetlands you can visit
Here is a selection of wetlands you can visit throughout New Zealand, including some lesser known spots.Do you know of a New Zealand wetland with public access? Tell us
Limeburners Creek, Whangarei Harbour.
Extensive areas of mangroves, saltmarsh, and lush eelgrass beds.
Birdwatching, interpretation panels and a boardwalk off Kioreroa Road
in Whangarei.
Tawharanui Regional Park, Matakana.
This coastal peninsula within a
predator proof fence with restored is a great spot to see our rarest
native duck, pateke or brown teal. Safe swimming, boardwalks,
accommodation. Near Omaha, north of Auckland.
Waihora Lagoon, Pureora Forest.
A small ephemeral pond surrounded by
towering kahikatea trees. An enchanting and peaceful grotto-like
setting just a short walk from the car park off Waihora Rd, via SH32
south of Mangakino.
Lake Ngahewa, Rotorua.
A volcanic area with colourful cliffs, steaming
ground, and crater lakes, a range of birds, and native mistletoe. Short
track past crater lakes, geothermal vegetation and interpretation
panels, and longer summit track for views. Entrance off SH5 near
Rainbow Mountain.
Potaema Bog, Egmont National Park.
A frost-hollow on Mt Taranaki,
surrounded by rimu and kahikatea forest. A boardwalk over the bog gives
close up views of sedges, orchids and carnivorous sundews. Wheelchair
friendly 30 min trail off the Pembroke Road entrance to the park.
Manawatu Estuary, Foxton.
An internationally significant (Ramsar)
wetland for its number and diversity of wading birds (93 bird species).
Viewing platform, picnic area and walk from Carter Crescent, Foxton.
Nga Manu Nature Reserve, Waikanae.
The largest remnant of coastal
lowland swamp forest on the Kapiti Coast, and a great place to see rare
swamp maire and feed eels. Entry fee applies. Ngarara Road, Waikanae,
off SH1.
Mangarakau and West Haven Inlet, Golden Bay.
Great place to hear and
see bittern and fernbird. Stay at the Friends of Mangarakau House with
fantastic views over the wetland. Follow Pakawau Bush Road, north of
Collingwood.
Kaki (Black Stilt) Visitor Hide, Twizel.
Guided tours of the Kakī
Visitor Hide to see the endangered black stilt and the braided rivers
they inhabit. Tours depart from Twizel Information Centre.
Ship Creek and Dune Lake, Haast.
Short walks on the rugged West Coast
to a dune lake, and along Ship Creek through dense wind-shorn coastal
forest to ancient kahikatea swamp forest. Lookout tower, information
shelter, walkways. Signposted from the Haast Highway, approx. 25km
north of Haast.
Tautuku Estuary, Catlins coast.
Oioi (jointed rush) saltmarsh where
you can hear, and perhaps see fernbird from a short boardwalk built by
the local Forest and Bird branch. On the Southern Scenic Route.
Awarua Waituna Lagoon, Bluff.
A recently expanded Ramsar site, with
alpine bog plants at sea level. An extensive lagoon and peat bog with
walks, a bird hide and interpretation panels accessible from Awarua Bay
Road.
Last updated 14 September 2009
Address: PO Box 177, Pukekohe 2403, New Zealand; Email: enquiries@wetlandtrust.org.nz
Become a member of The
National Wetland Trust
© 2002-2008 All material
copyright of
the national wetland trust unless otherwise noted.
Extensive areas of mangroves, saltmarsh, and lush eelgrass beds. Birdwatching, interpretation panels and a boardwalk off Kioreroa Road in Whangarei.
This coastal peninsula within a predator proof fence with restored is a great spot to see our rarest native duck, pateke or brown teal. Safe swimming, boardwalks, accommodation. Near Omaha, north of Auckland.
A small ephemeral pond surrounded by towering kahikatea trees. An enchanting and peaceful grotto-like setting just a short walk from the car park off Waihora Rd, via SH32 south of Mangakino.
Lake Ngahewa, Rotorua.
A volcanic area with colourful cliffs, steaming ground, and crater lakes, a range of birds, and native mistletoe. Short track past crater lakes, geothermal vegetation and interpretation panels, and longer summit track for views. Entrance off SH5 near Rainbow Mountain.
A frost-hollow on Mt Taranaki, surrounded by rimu and kahikatea forest. A boardwalk over the bog gives close up views of sedges, orchids and carnivorous sundews. Wheelchair friendly 30 min trail off the Pembroke Road entrance to the park.
Manawatu Estuary, Foxton.
An internationally significant (Ramsar)
wetland for its number and diversity of wading birds (93 bird species).
Viewing platform, picnic area and walk from Carter Crescent, Foxton.
The largest remnant of coastal lowland swamp forest on the Kapiti Coast, and a great place to see rare swamp maire and feed eels. Entry fee applies. Ngarara Road, Waikanae, off SH1.
Great place to hear and see bittern and fernbird. Stay at the Friends of Mangarakau House with fantastic views over the wetland. Follow Pakawau Bush Road, north of Collingwood.
Guided tours of the Kakī Visitor Hide to see the endangered black stilt and the braided rivers they inhabit. Tours depart from Twizel Information Centre.
Short walks on the rugged West Coast to a dune lake, and along Ship Creek through dense wind-shorn coastal forest to ancient kahikatea swamp forest. Lookout tower, information shelter, walkways. Signposted from the Haast Highway, approx. 25km north of Haast.
Oioi (jointed rush) saltmarsh where you can hear, and perhaps see fernbird from a short boardwalk built by the local Forest and Bird branch. On the Southern Scenic Route.
A recently expanded Ramsar site, with alpine bog plants at sea level. An extensive lagoon and peat bog with walks, a bird hide and interpretation panels accessible from Awarua Bay Road.
Last updated 14 September 2009
Address: PO Box 177, Pukekohe 2403, New Zealand; Email: enquiries@wetlandtrust.org.nz
Become a member of The
National Wetland Trust
© 2002-2008 All material
copyright of
the national wetland trust unless otherwise noted.