Discover Wellington’s extraordinary natural features and contrasts. On this small group tour you will take a 20 minute ferry trip from central Wellington, to land on Matiu Somes Island in the middle of Wellington harbour.

There you will explore the island and wildlife sanctuary. As the name suggests Matiu Somes Island has a rich Maori and European history, sometimes colourful and sometimes tragic. The lighthouse on the island today dates pre 1900, it continues to guide and welcome sea-borne travellers into the safety of Wellington Harbour.  The island was fortified with heavy anti-aircraft gun emplacements on the summit of the island during WWII.

Once a traditional pa site of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Maori, the island became a quarantine station, an internment camp, and a military defence position, it now seeks to protect and preserve New Zealand native flora and fauna.

On the Island you guide will escort you as you circle the island on foot. Somes is now home to rare native birds including North Island robins, fluttering shearwaters and kakariki, a colony of little blue penguins and 6 species of native reptiles including the mysterious Tuatara. Your guide will bring the history alive and help you find these shy wild creatures.

Please note you will be asked to open and empty all bags etc for pest control purposes. Anything we take to the island we must also remove.

4 hour tour / Pick up from hotel at 9.30am / Return: 1.30pm

Bottled Water included / Pick-up/drop-off in central Wellington accommodation

Included all Land & Water transfers & Guided walks / Fitness required: Medium