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Private Mighty Giants And Tiny Dwarfs

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During this private nature excursion you will encounter a fascinating contrast between giant, prehistoric trees and teeny, tiny glow worms. Along the way you will also see Kawakawa's decorative Hundertwasser Toilets and the Waimate Mission House.

Private Mighty Giants and Tiny Dwarfs

Deep in the heart of Puketi Forest stands the Kauri, mighty pre-historic giants that once dominated the forests of New Zealand's North Island. Recent projects to reduce pests in the forest have seen a rejuvenation in the flora as well as the restoration of birdsong to the area creating considerable interest from birdwatchers.

The Kauri has a fascinating past, present and future. History tells of mass felling of the trees for its exceptionally strong timber, and 'Gumdigger Wars' for the highly prized Kauri Gum. Measuring up to 50 meters (164 feet) tall and 16 meters (53 feet) wide, many of these trees were cut down over the centuries for boat and housing timber, first by the Maori and later by European settlers. While on the Manginangina Kauri Walk, you will discover the conservation efforts underway to protect the few Kaori left standing. Its story of today, and indeed tomorrow, is one of preservation and hope.

Over at the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves you will meet New Zealand's tiniest treasures, a special type of glow worm exclusive to New Zealand. Make your way past breathtaking rock-formations as you descend into the caves on an enchanting boat ride under the lights of thousands of tiny glow worms.

During this special tour you will also visit Te Waimate Mission House, a museum preserving farming, missionary and architectural history. The once-extensive mission station was established by the London-based Church Missionary Society to instruct Maori in European farming techniques while promoting the Christian way of life. New Zealand's second oldest building, Te Waimate Mission, preserves the stories of important early encounters between Maori and Europeans.

No trip to the North Island would be complete without a stop at the world-renowned Hundertwasser Toilets. This colorful public toilet on the main street of Kawakawa is the final project of world-class artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser's, its signature multi-colored tile collages popping up in thousands of Instagram accounts yearly.

Sign up today to experience the stunning giants, dwarfs and historical highlights nestled along the North Island.

Please Note: Vehicles available for this tour accommodate groups of up to 4 guests maximum. Entry fees are not included in the price of this tour. Please take this information into consideration when booking.

About Shore Excursions Group
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ABOUT US
Shore Excursions Group was created with one goal in mind: to provide exceptional travel experiences to cruise passengers in the ports they visit around the world. To accomplish this, we have compiled an exceptional array of tours delivered by local experts with decades of experience serving travelers and delivering excellent tours. Our owners and management team are comprised of seasoned travel industry executives who leverage their considerable experience to deliver memorie ...
from $215.00 (USD)
Per Person
 
Tour Type
Private
 
Group Size
Private
 
Activity Type(s)
Cultural, Scenic
 
Tour Duration
4 Hours
 
Activity Level
Easy
 
Tour Leaves From
Cruise Ship Tender Pier
 
Food/Beverage Provided
Bottled Water
 
Special Instructions
We recommend wearing comfortable, seasonal clothing with walking shoes. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended.
 
Restrictions
Guests must be able to get in and out of transportation. This tour can not accommodate wheelchairs.
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Location