Page updated: 5th July 2008

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About Mason Bay

About Kiwi

Trip Details: Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

Trip Details: Kiwi Journey

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About Mason Bay

Mason Bay is situated on the west coast of Stewart Island. It has approx. 14 kms of beach, one of the most extensive natural sand dune systems in New Zealand, native coastal plants, some seabirds and a healthy population of kiwi. A great place to go kiwi spotting, enjoy the stunning seascape, watch the surface crash on the beach and feel at one with nature!

Our trips provide an opportunity to discover kiwi habitat, listen to a kiwi calling in the night and with some luck actually seeing a kiwi. More than just a kiwi spotting trip, we provide a chance for you to view an array of ecosystems and wilderness habitats, from east to west and across Stewart Island's interior, and to to see other native birds and plants.

We offer two similar options for the Mason Bay trip, Kiwi Journey (one night trip) and Kiwi, Dunes and Beach (two night trip).

We also recommend that you come on one of our Ulva Island - Birds & Forest guided walks before coming on a Mason Bay Kiwi Spotting Trip to appreciate the diversity of ecosystems on Stewart Island. See Optons & Prices.

About Kiwi

Related to the extinct moa, kiwi are New Zealand's most ancient bird, having evolved 30 million years ago. To Maori, kiwi are known as "te manu huna a Tane" the hidden bird of Tane, probably because of the bird's nocturnal and shy nature. Due to New Zealand's long period of isolation and lack of mammals, kiwi occupy a habitat and lifestyle which mammals have occupied elsewhere.

The Stewart Island Tokoeka, is one of several varieties of kiwi found only in New Zealand. Although kiwi are nocturnal, the Stewart Island Tokoeka is known to be active during the day and night. Find out more about this fascinating bird on one of our trips.

TRIP DETAILS: Kiwi, Dunes & Beach

A chance to glimpse a kiwi in the wild, explore the spectacular dune environment and wild west coast beach and learn about the natural history & early European history of the area…

Book Now (click here to make a booking). Prior bookings are essential to allow food, equipment and travel arrangements to be made.

What we do (click here for Map)

Day 1 - We take our water taxi from Golden Bay Wharf to travel westward to the head of Paterson Inlet, then northwest along Freshwater River into the interior of Stewart Island. This winding primeval river, richly stained by tannin, is flanked by manuka (tea tree), ferns and mosses. We arrive at Freshwater Landing about 40 minutes later.

We then have a flat easy hike of 14 kms along Freshwater Flats to Mason Bay, through manuka scrub and board walked wetland, about 4 - 6 hours. We take our time to enjoy birdlife including, the Stewart Island robin and fernbirds, flora and orchids in season. There is also evidence of kiwi to mull over and occasionally we actually see a kiwi in the daytime!

We stay at Mason Bay Hut or camp nearby, sharing facilities with other hikers and take time to see the beach, 15 minutes walk away. After a rest and a meal, we go kiwi spotting at dusk to catch a glimpse of this shy bird. Kiwi are wild birds, sitings are not guaranteed. It is a privilege to see a kiwi, an experience that many clients will never forget!

Day 2 - Mason Bay has a stunning 14 kms of beach, one of the most extensive natural sand dune systems in New Zealand, native coastal plants, some seabirds and a healthy population of kiwi. A great place to enjoy the stunning seascape, watch the surface crash on the beach and feel at one with nature!

After breakfast we walk up Big Sandhill 156 mtrs (511 ft) in the morning, to get views across Mason Bay and Freshwater Flats. We explore the extensive, classic dune environment, one of the most natural in New Zealand. This is a good area for botanising and photography with an opportunity to see other native birds.

After lunch we spend the afternoon on the beach, time and tides permitting, we explore the beach environment. The southern New Zealand dotterel, a wading bird is one of our rare birds and may occasionally be seen along the beach (subject to time of year) as well as banded dotterel, variable oystercatchers and gulls.

Depending on whether we have already had a siting of a kiwi and subject to client preference we take time to go spotting kiwi on the second night or watch the sun set over the horizon and the brilliant spectacle of the southern hemisphere stars on a clear day.

Day 3 - We depart for Freshwater Landing for our water taxi pickup to Golden Bay, assisting with transfers to your accommodation.

Trip Times

Access to Freshwater River is only at high tides.

Trips usually depart early morning Day 1 and return midday Day 3. Other times may be available. Where there is demand for the trip on days where tides differs from the usual departure times, we vary the itinerary times to fit in with high tides.

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