Banks Peninsula Track Wildlife

The Banks Peninsula Track runs alongside Pohatu Marine Reserve.

Kayak the marine reserve!

Shireen Helps offers a special discount to Track walkers on her kayaking trips at Flea Bay/Pohatu Marine Reserve.

Wildlife often seen include Hectors dolphin, penguins and heaps of seals. The most usual time is in the morning after staying the night at Flea Bay, but it may still be available to 2 day walkers as they pass through. Please note - kayaking is subject to sea conditions.

All trips can be guided at no extra charge so no experience necessary.

$15 for a two hour kayak including some outer coast features.

Flea Bay boasts the largest mainland colony of any little penguin on mainland New Zealand. The penguins breed between September and mid - January, and adults moult between December and end of February. The best viewing month is October.

On the second evening of the four day walk, Francis Helps invites Track walkers to join him on his evening tour of the white flippered penguin nesting boxes that he has established and maintains on the farm. Sometimes Yellow Eye penguins (Hoiho) are also seen.The tours are seasonal, spring and early summer, stopping around the end of January.

Free, (optional conservation donation)

White-flippered penguins (the endangered Canterbury sub-species of the Australasian Little Penguin, its' Maori name is Korora).

A penguin colony also exists at Stony Bay

For more details on kayaking and penguins, visit

While penguins, seals, and Hectors dolphin are the star attractions, there are lots of other birds, mammals, lizards, fish and insects along the way.

Check out our birdlife information

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	Banks Peninsula Track Wildlife The Banks Peninsula Track runs alongside Pohatu Marine Reserve. Kayak the marine reserve! Shireen Helps offers a special discount to Track walkers on her kayaking trips at Flea Bay/Pohatu Marine Reserve. Wildlife often seen include Hectors dolphin, penguins and heaps of seals. The most usual time is in the morning after staying the night at Flea Bay, but it may still be available to 2 day walkers as they pass through. Please note - kayaking is subject to sea conditions.

All trips can be guided at no extra charge so no experience necessary.		$15 for a two hour kayak including some outer coast features.

Flea Bay boasts the largest mainland colony of any little penguin on mainland New Zealand. The penguins breed between September and mid - January, and adults moult between December and end of February. The best viewing month is October.
	On the second evening of the four day walk, Francis Helps invites Track walkers to join him on his evening tour of the white flippered penguin nesting boxes that he has established and maintains on the farm. Sometimes Yellow Eye penguins (Hoiho) are also seen.The tours are seasonal, spring and early summer, stopping around the end of January. Free, (optional conservation donation)
White-flippered penguins (the endangered Canterbury sub-species of the Australasian Little Penguin, its' Maori name is Korora). A penguin colony also exists at Stony Bay
	For more details on kayaking and penguins, visit	www.pohatu.co.nz
While penguins, seals, and Hectors dolphin are the star attractions, there are lots of other birds, mammals, lizards, fish and insects along the way.
	Check out our birdlife information	Birdlife