← Day 12

Okarito Lagoon

walk kayakwetlandscenic

New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland — kayak rainforest channels beneath mirror views of the Southern Alps.

Okarito is New Zealand's largest unmodified coastal wetland, a maze of shallow tidal channels backed by lowland rainforest and, on a still day, perfect reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Guided and self-guided kayak trips glide into quiet rainforest side-creeks alive with birdsong, while short walks lead to a lookout over the lagoon and to the beach. This is rare rowi kiwi country, and the settlement is a peaceful antidote to the glacier crowds.

Time

2–4 h (kayak) or ~1 h walk

Price

free (walks); kayak hire from ~NZ$80

Hours

Open year-round; kayak tides vary