Kaipupu Point Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife

Here are just some of the different types of wildlife you might see when visiting the sanctuary:

A bellbird

• New Zealand fur seals (Kekeno) can sometimes be seen sunbathing on the warm rocky shores or the floating pontoon!
• Native pigeon (kereru)
• Bellbird (korimako)
• Tui
• Fantail (piwakawaka)
• Morepork (ruru)
• Blue penguins (korora)
• Lizards - skinks and geckos (mokomoko)

It is hoped that the following can be established in future:

A kereru

• A nursery for kiwi (until they are big enough to fend for themselves in the bush)
• Fluttering shearwater colony - (pakaha)
• South Island robin (toutouwai)
• Kakariki
• Giant weta (wetapunga)
• Native Snail (pupuharakeke)
• More Lizards (mokomoko)- brown skink, common skink, common gecko, green gecko, forest gecko

Be a sanctuary ranger...

Take note of any wildlife you spot while you’re visiting and share details of your sightings with the Sanctuary team via their facebook page. Be sure to include the date, a description, location and a photo is always great. A video is even better!

Getting there and around

The jetty.

The Sanctuary is accessed by water, a short boat trip of under 15 minutes from the Picton waterfront. Here's a google map showing the Santcuary's location. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to enter. Donations are appreciated in the box on the landing area. Any boats can stop and drop/pick-up visitors at the jetty. Allow about 90 minutes for a complete walk around the sanctuary. We've compiled some information below regarding water transport operators located on the Picton waterfront who can get you there and back.

Sea Kayak Rentals

Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company

• Location: The Waterfront, London Quay, Picton
• Price: $60 per person single day hire, $40 per person half day hire
• Min. numbers: 2 people
• Guided option available? Yes
• For bookings or further info: 0800 283 283 or www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz

Wilderness Guides, Marlborough Sounds

• Location: Cnr London Quay & Wellington Street, Picton
• Price: $60 per person per day, discounts available for mult-day hires
• Min. numbers: 2 people
• Guided option available? Yes
• For bookings or further info: 0800 266 266 or 03 573 5432 or www.wildernessguidesnz.com

Scheduled Boat Services

Queen Charlotte Steam Ship Company

• What: Skippered cruise across Picton harbour to Kaipupu on a traditional steam powered excursion boat (Circa 1920)
• Departs from: the Short Finger Jetty on the town side of the Interislander Ferry Terminal. See Map
• When: departs on the hour from 10am (weather permitting)
• Price: Adult $30 Child $15 return
• For bookings or further info: 03 573 7443 or www.steamshipping.co.nz

Cougarline

• What: Catamaran skippered by trained crew
• Departs from: The Picton town wharf
• When: Enquiries should be made directly regarding Winter times. October 1st – April 30th departs 8am, 10am, 11.30am,1.30pm & 3pm returns 11am, 12.30pm & 4.30pm
• Price: Adult $20 p.p Child $10 p.p one way
• For bookings or further info: 0800 504 090 or 03 573 7925 or www.cougarline.co.nz

Charter Boat Services

Arrow Water Taxis

• What: Water Taxi
• Departs from: The Picton town wharf, London Quay or at the Ferry Terminal on request
• When: On demand between 7am-7pm daily.
• Min. number: yes, 4 people
• Price: $40 for a family – 2 Adults and 3 Children or 4 Adults one way; for larger sized groups or a private charter please contact us direct for a price.
• For bookings or further info: 03 573 8229 or 0274 444 689 or www.arrowwatertaxis.co.nz

Beachcomber Cruises

• What: fleet of skippered boats
• Departs from: The Picton town wharf
• When: On demand between 7am-5pm daily.
• Min. number: yes, 5 people
• Price: $20 per person return
• For bookings or further info: 03 573 6175 or www.beachcombercruises.co.nz

Dolphin Watch & Nature Tours

• What: Fully guided 2 hour return Kaipupu boat trip
• Departs from: The Picton town wharf
• When: On demand between 9am -5.30pm daily
• Price: $50 per adult, $25 per child
• For bookings or further info: 0800 WILDLIFE or 03 5738040 or www.naturetours.co.nz

Why is the sanctuary a big deal?

New Zealand was once jam-packed with animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth: living fossils; a land of giants, where birds were at the top of the food chain. Less than 1,000 years ago following settlers from Polynesia and Europe, we suffered great natural losses. Animals were hunted to extinction. Forests were burned and felled. Wetlands were drained and grasslands were grazed and ploughed. Waves of settlers brought with them a range of new animals and plants that quickly became destructive pests. Now days, many of New Zealand’s most precious native animals survive only on isolated islands where they have escaped the habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals. Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary is much more accessible to the public making it easier to experience an up-close native encounter.

How can you help make a difference?

At the heart of this community project are hundreds of motivated locals and organisations passionate about this beautiful headland of coastal bush. They’ve all worked hard to make this significant showpiece of nature restoration a reality. Kapai team! Now our on-going tasks include the management of pest invasion by water, raising funds and educating others about the project’s importance.

• Volunteer your time: Join the Pest Monitoring Team – they’re a well-supported, organised and social bunch! The actual monitoring work is physically easy – mostly involving walking around the track – so all sorts of ages and abilities can participate.
• Donate: Make a donation or become a member of the Kaipupu Society
• Visit: take photos, like the Sanctuary on facebook and tell the world about it!
•  Attend: the Sanctuary holds an annual fundraising event called the Picton Pestival.  This year it will be held on Saturday 22 March and we're offering 50% off travel to and from Picton for those attending from the North Island*. You can find out more about the event and purchase your Pestival tickets on the Eventfinder website. Terms & Conditions: Travel must occur on Saturday 22 March 2014 only. You must present your Pestival ticket at check-in as proof that you are attending the event. Failure to present a valid event ticket will result in the fare difference being required to be paid prior to boarding. Discount applies to available fares at time of booking. Normal fare terms and conditions apply. Book online by entering the promotional code: PESKYPESTS on the availabilty and pricing screen.