Your Experience – The Chatham Islands

Your Experience

“You can follow your nose around our islands or have a plan in place. Follow the tiles below for a suggested route to ensure you experience everything we have to offer.”

chatham island museum — Chatham Islands Museum

Your experience starts at the brand new Chatham Islands Museum. The perfect place to explore the mix of Moriori, Maori and European cultures and the islands’ rich history.

Central Chatham Island

Admiral Gardens

Further North you can ease yourself in to your outdoors Chathams experience at the wonderful Henga Scenic Reserve and the spectacular Admiral Gardens with the garden, coastal and wetland reserve walks and art studio.

Awatotara Bush Walk

Come and explore the Awatotara Bush Coastal Track. You’ll find an abundance of birdlife – such as parea, tui, red-crowned parakeet, warblers and fantails

Taiko Trust Base

Continuing the birdlife theme, how about a visit to the Taiko Trust Base, and Gap Sanctuary that protects endemic Chatham plant and bird species?

Kōpinga Marae

A change of scene has you heading Southeast to Owenga, and no visit to the Chathams is complete without a visit to Kopinga Marae. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Moriori and learn about their ancient covenant of peace.

Southwest Chatham Island

Chatham Island Food Co

By now you may be feeling a little peckish. The Chatham Island Food Co at Owenga offers guided tours that showcase their work. You can hear their story, and purchase local seafood delicacies.

Southeast Chatham Island

Tame Horomona Rehe

A trip to Owenga wouldnt be complete without visiting the statue of Tame Horomona Rehe. Famous for being the last known Moriori of unmixed descent, “Tommy Solomon” was also a local farmer and dignitary.

Owenga Charters

If you’re starting to feel landlocked and want to get out onto the water, either for a fishing trip, boat tours, or transport across to Pitt Island, you need the team from Owenga Charters

Basalt Columns

On the short drive Northwest towards Waitangi West you can see the famous Basalt Columns, formed from lava flows from the Southern Volcanics

Maunganui Stone Cottage

For history buffs; just past the vista of the three volcanic cones from the Northern Volcanics, is the Maunganui Stone Cottage – an 1870s Heritage listed building

places of interest northwestern chatham Islands — Northwest Chatham Island

The Thomas Currell, ex minesweepr — Port Hutt Bay

For more history, stop and have a picnic at the picturesque bay at Port Hutt. Get up close with the the wreck of the WW2 Minesweeper “Thomas Currell”

Chatham Island Oystercatchers — Chatham Island Oystercatchers

Waitangi West Beach is the final stop in the Northwest and a chance to enjoy a walk along this remote beach. Keep a watch out for the endangered Chatham Islands Oystercatchers

northern-chatham-Islands — Northern Chatham Island

Wharekauri Station

While you’re in the North of the island, visit Wharekauri Station and see the Heritage-listed “Ponga Whare,” and “Splatter” or “Taniwha Rock,” showcasing more volcanic evidence

Northeast Chatham Island

rakau-momori-chatham-island — Hāpūpū National Historic Reserve

Take a stroll through this magical scenic reserve containing the last known examples of rakau momori (Moriori tree carvings). Idyllic and mesmerising, you cannot afford to miss it.

Historic sites

While still in this area visit the historic cemetery at Te Whakaru, the remains of the old German Missionary settlement and the nearby Pt Munning Seal Colony.

Sunderland Flying Boat

If you’re in Kaingaroa, you just have to call in and see the Sunderland Short Flying Boat restoration project underway at Jim and Sally Muirson’s farm.

Pitt Isaland

On Pitt Island, the ancient volcanic tabletop of Mount Hakepa, with it’s famous bronze sculptures is recognised as the first inhabited place in the world to welcome the new day.

pitt-island,chatham-islands — Pitt Island

For the full Chathams experience take a day trip to nearby Pitt Island. You can get there by either plane or boat and accommodation can be found at Flowerpot Lodge.

Glory Bay, Pitt Island

Historic attractions include one of the oldest timber buildings on the Chathams; the Heritage New Zealand Category 2 building known as the Glory cottage

Diverse scenery

Pitt Island is a photographer’s dream, full of contrasts. From rolling hills, lush island forests, golden sandy beaches to towering cliffs and martian landscapes.

Hotel Chatham

You must be puffed after all that exploring. Call into Hotel Chatham for a coffee, a meal, or taste the locally brewed Breezy Beer.

Chatham Cottage Gifts

Before you leave us, back in Waitangi, why not purchase some of the best local arts and crafts at Chatham Cottage Gifts – to remember us by.

Any of these experiences can be organised for you through any of our friendly local tour companies.

But the best way to experience it all is on an organised holiday tour.