CHECK OUT
THE CHATHAMS
21 - 28 November 2026
Check out the Chathams, a natural wonderland of scenery, birdlife, fauna, unique island life, rich Moriori, Maori and European culture and history, combined with our own special concerts and
Operatunity flavour.
$6665 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $1495
Initial Deposit On Booking $1000
Second Deposit Due: 25 May 2026 $2000
Final Balance Due: 3 August 2026
Days
7 Nights
Highlights
Chatham Island history and culture is rich and intriguing. See an amazing diversity of geography, plant and wildlife plus fabulous Operatunity concerts
Group Size
20
Travellers
Travel of Note
Boutique Tour
Meals
All Meals
Mobility
Moderate Tour
SPECIAL FEATURES
• Chatham Island is home to a number of ecological significant conservation reserves with threatened and uncommon plant and birdlife including 18 bird species unique to these islands, and home to 30% of NZ’s threatened bird species.
• Amazing scenery, birdlife and fauna: Rangaiki Cliffs, with 200-250m sheer drops and witness amazing views to Pitt and Mangere, the regenerated native forest of Kopi trees, Ocean Mail Beach Scenic Reserve, a 830ha Conservation area, fur seal colony at Point Munning, stunning white beaches, Basalt Columns in Ohira Bay, part of lava flows that date nearly 80 million years old, Cape Young with layered basalt and weathered cliffs, spectacular rock formations (Splatter Rock), the Chatham Island Oyster Catcher and the stunning Awatotara Reserve where the Parea (Chatham Island Wood Pigeon) can be seen.
• Discover the rich history and culture of this island with visits including: the commemorative statue of the last known, full-blooded Moriori, visit a local artist, Torotoro monument and the wreck of the Thomas Currell ship, an ex-WW2 minesweeper.
• Fabulous Operatunity concerts from our artists: Russell Dixon and Heather Wilcock.
• All meals are included on this tour plus all tours, concerts, transfers on the Chatham Islands as listed in your itinerary.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
Hotel Chatham (7 nights) - Chatham Island
Hotel Chatham looks out across Waitangi Bay to the wharf, broad sweeping beach and Red Bluff in the distance. With its restaurant, timber-lined bar and relaxed atmosphere, it’s where the heart of the island beats.
Highlights Include:
• 7-night tour to Chatham Island staying at Hotel Chatham in Executive Suites (main hotel building) or Forget Me Not Suites
(located just above the hotel).
• 4 Operatunity concerts from your hosts for the week.
• Explore all 4 corners of the Chatham Islands and discover plant and birdlife unique to these islands.
• Learn how the locals live and discover the rich history and culture of the island.
• Optional tours to Pitt Island at your own cost (subject to weather conditions).
Here is a summary of great things we will see. The order depends on the weather.
ENIGMATIC EAST
Owenga is a fishing village, where we see the commemorative statue of the last known, full blooded Moriori Tommy Solomon. Learn about the first inhabitants of the Chatham Islands at Kopinga Marae. Rangaiki Cliffs with 200-250m sheer drops. On a clear day, an amazing viewing point to Pitt, Mangere and surrounding islands. Panoramic views across Lake Huro to Waitangi and across Te Whanga Lagoon to its entrance at Te Awapatiki.
NATURAL NORTH
At Cape Young see layered basalt and weathered cliffs with views out to the Sisters Islands, spectacular rock formations (Splatter Rock), sandy beaches and the Chatham Island Oyster Catcher. See the wreck of the Thomas Currell ship. This ex-WW2 minesweeper served again as freezer space in the crayfishing boom years of the 1960s and 70s.
NUGGETY NORTHEAST
See remains of a crashed Sunderland Flying boat on Muirson’s family farm. Visit the fur seal colony at Point Munning. In Mission Bay see remains of a settlement used by German missionaries and American sealers from the late 1700s. See the 300 year old Hapupu Moriori Dendroglyphs (Tree Carvings) in a regenerated native forest of Kopi trees. Optional Wetland and Aster walks along the stunning coastline of Ocean Mail Beach Scenic Reserve.
WILD WEST
Northwest of the island lays extensive farms with remarkable volcanic cones a feature of the landscape. At the end of the road, stunning white beaches are home to the local Chatham Island Oyster Catchers. On the lower slopes of Maunganui lies the Stone Cottage built with mortar of burnt pipi shells and the backdrop of a striking rock face. You may get to meet the intriguing current tenant. In Ohira Bay, see massive olivine basalt columns, part of lava flows that date nearly 80 million years old.
SULTRY SOUTH
Running southwest of Waitangi, Tuku Road provides views of rich farmlands and shoal coastal waters. The stunning Awatotara Reserve lies in the valley where the Parea
(Chatham Island Wood Pigeon) as well as other bird life can be seen.
BEAUTIFUL BITS IN BETWEEN
Blind Jim’s: A favourite stop to look for ancient fossilised shark’s teeth on the lagoon shore. Wading birds are usually plentiful.
Nikau Bush, a 19ha reserve with Nikau palms, the only palm native to the Chatham Islands.
Admiral Garden: Stunning sheltered gardens with water and sculpture features established for birds, bees and butterflies by Val Snr and Lois Croon, holds a large attractive planting of Chatham Island Lilies (the Forget Me Not). We’ll have a dinner and concert here during our stay.
Henga Scenic Reserve and Nursery: Walking tracks pass through regenerating coastal forest to sand dune vegetation. Hidden in the bush are spectacular limestone formations.
Chatham Island Museum: See all manner of historical and interesting artefacts, located in the Chatham Island Council buildings at Waitangi.
Rock Carvings (Nunuku’s Cave): Across farmland on the lagoon shore are remarkable Moriori dendroglyphs on limestone walls depicting stylised seals and other wildlife.
This Trip Includes:
• Return economy airfares Auckland – Chatham Island including taxes on Air Chathams.
• 7 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Chatham with all tours and meals.
• Fabulous Operatunity concerts from your hosts for the week.
• Explore Chatham Island with amazing scenery, birdlife and fauna: Rangaiki Cliffs with 200-250m sheer drops and witness amazing views to Pitt and Mangere, the regenerated native forest of Kopi trees, Ocean Mail Beach Scenic Reserve, a 830ha Conservation area, fur seal colony at Point Munning, stunning white beaches, Basalt Columns in Ohira Bay to see the massive olivine basalt columns, part of lava flows that date nearly 80 million years old, Cape Young with layered basalt and weathered cliffs, spectacular rock formations (Splatter Rock), the Chatham Island Oyster Catcher and the stunning Awatotara Reserve where the Parea (Chatham Island Wood Pigeon) as well as other bird life can be seen.
• Learn about how the locals live including Owenga, a fishing village, Kaingaroa township, see extensive farms with remarkable volcanic cones a feature of the landscape, the Stone Cottage, visit Waitangi, the Dix family farmland, Port Hutt, the deep water cove of Whangaroa Harbour.
• Discover the rich history and culture of this island with visits including: the commemorative statue of the last known, full-blooded Moriori, visit a local artist, Torotoro monument and the wreck of the Thomas Currell ship, an ex-WW2 minesweeper.
• Other experiences include Blind Jim’s to look for ancient, fossilised shark’s teeth on the lagoon shore, Nikau Bush, a 19ha reserve, Admiral Garden, sheltered gardens with water and sculpture features, Henga Scenic Reserve and Nursery, Chatham Island Museum with historical and interesting artefacts, Rock Carvings (Nunuku’s Cave) and remarkable Moriori dendroglyphs on limestone walls depicting stylised seals and other wildlife.
• All tours, transfers, tips, concerts, taxes, as listed in the itinerary are included.
• Hosted and concerts presented by Russell Dixon and Heather Wilcock.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Moderate Tour
This trip has a little more walking than an easy tour. It is a moderate tour for one of the following reasons - you may need to walk with ease for up to one hour at a slow pace or be able to climb stairs or be able to get on and off boats, trains and buses. This trip will not suit those on walkers and a moderate level of mobility is required. If you are unsure, please ring the office to discuss your suitability for our tours.