Driftwood Eco-Tours
Driftwood Eco-Tours
5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
About
Join Driftwood Eco Tours on an expedition into New Zealand heartland where you will live like the locals, and take memories home which will last you a lifetime. You will learn about New Zealand's lore and culture, taste the local kai, and experience what it is that makes New Zealand one of the best places in the World to live. Immerse yourself in the real New Zealand that few have the opportunity to see. You will be guided into locations of rugged, untamed beauty and splendid isolation. Along the way you may meet the remarkable people who choose to work and raise their families in these often challenging but always rewarding landscapes.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
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Driftwood Eco-Tours
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5.0
194 reviews
Excellent
173
Very good
18
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Margaret B
Auckland, New Zealand15 contributions
Mar 2021
We had the best holiday ever in New Zealand on the Chathams. So much was packed into our week- lots of history, birdlife, animals, bush knowledge and stunning scenery. Above all, the local people made us so welcome and we felt like part of this small community for a short while. Our hosts went well above our expectations with guiding skills and home cooked meals showing off local delicacies to a very high standard. We shared this with a lovely group of like-minded people. Our stay was blessed with beautiful weather - we were so lucky. We would highly recommend this experience.
Written 1 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ngaire m
Auckland, New Zealand52 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This is my 2nd Tour with Will. Our tour group started as strangers and ended up friends. Wgat an unforgettable experience, we went places off the beaten track and visited private homes that not many people get to see. Will is happy to engage about the history of the area we’re in and is full of funny local stories. It’s quite laid back but at same time completely organised. Everything was perfect, our 4 day trip felt like we’d been away for months, so much was packed into it. Can’t wait to go again.
Written 23 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joyfrances9097
New Plymouth, New Zealand2 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Our tour was D’Urville Island and our five days went by far too quickly. I can’t speak too highly of the whole experience, particularly Wills encyclopaedic knowledge of the whole area from the time we were picked up from our motel in Blenheim. Nic was also great company and her own fund of stories of the Island. I had read the book ‘Angelina’ and enjoyed seeing where her story had taken place. Weather was fabulous and we were well looked after by Kathy and Craig at the Lodge...wonderful meals..especially the blue cod which we caught on our way across French Pass. Lucky to ,find a giant snail shell and get up close to bellbirds and able to record their song. Highly recommend this experience with Driftwood Eco.
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter E
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
May 2014 • Friends
I organised a group of photographers to travel around the north end of New Zealand's South Island with Driftwood and the service, food and accommodation was excellent. I will be travelling with them again! Thanks Will and Rose!
Written 7 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a new venture for us at Driftwood Ecotours and we met some great new friends who have seen many parts of the world through the lens of a camera. Thank you for booking us again for this winter.
Written 16 October 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NewJerseyNomad
New Jersey84 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Picton is the arrival and departure point for ferry transport between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Picton is a small town set alongside fantastic Cloudy Bay. Surrounded by mountains and hills it is quite a beautiful sight.
We were guided on our tour by John Martin of Driftwood Retreat & Eco-Tours; he is a gentleman whose great enthusiasm for the area is only topped by his incredible knowledge. His polite, laid back manner was outstanding. He took us to a long list of amazing sights that allowed us sweeping views from mountain tops, walks along a beach, the chance to taste local honey and wines and in-town sightseeing. We also had a chance to see and learn about eels and their life cycle in one of the crystal clear streams.
If you go to Picton, which we would suggest, you will be assured of having a marvelous time on this tour. We plan to return to Napier and Johnny will be the first one we contact to show us even more of this beautiful countryside; he made a beautiful day amazing!
We were guided on our tour by John Martin of Driftwood Retreat & Eco-Tours; he is a gentleman whose great enthusiasm for the area is only topped by his incredible knowledge. His polite, laid back manner was outstanding. He took us to a long list of amazing sights that allowed us sweeping views from mountain tops, walks along a beach, the chance to taste local honey and wines and in-town sightseeing. We also had a chance to see and learn about eels and their life cycle in one of the crystal clear streams.
If you go to Picton, which we would suggest, you will be assured of having a marvelous time on this tour. We plan to return to Napier and Johnny will be the first one we contact to show us even more of this beautiful countryside; he made a beautiful day amazing!
Written 21 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
polecj
Blenheim, New Zealand1 contribution
Nov 2015 • Friends
Lovely relaxing kayak tour. Will is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable on the birdlife found in the area. Saw lots of interesting species such as godwits, glossy ibis, caspian terns and also spoonbills feeding which was cool to watch! On the journey back we kayaked through dusk which was an incredible experience that I thoroughly recommend to anyone. If you are after the best kayaking trips in the Marlborough region, then look no further.
Written 16 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Yoko, we enjoyed your company too, thanks for touring with us. The dogs way hi, Cheers Rose.
Written 18 November 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MaryEllen R
Wellington, New Zealand1 contribution
Jan 2015 • Solo
On my last day of a holiday full of highlights, the royal spoonbill tour with Will was unique and unforgettable. Despite my having only booked for a two-hour tour, kayaking on the Opawa and Wairau with Vix (Will and Rose's young Jack Russell) perched on the bow opened up a different world - not only rich with its bird life but with history unknown to me (a born and bred NZer), brought alive by Will's sharing of its stories past and present. Although that day we saw only one spoonbill, I gather this was unusual; and that sighting has whetted my longing to see more of these beautiful creatures in the future. Will and Rose were so friendly and generous of their time. My only caveat would be NOT to try booking one of their tide-timed tours when you have no options left at the end of a holiday; an evening at sunset with a full moon rising would be perfect.
Written 6 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mary,
thank you for your review, we hope we will have the opportunity to meet you again and show you more of our wonderful environment.
Cheers Will.
Written 8 February 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diplochic
Washington DC, DC4 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Will was great. Took me out kayaking as the sun was setting, got to see loads of bird and estuary wildlife. Because it was a full moon we were able to come back to the dock after sunset and got to enjoy watching the full moon rise and paddling under the stars.
Written 14 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review and your kind words. It was a stunning evening! Cheers Will
Written 16 January 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ricky G
Sydney, Australia18 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
We're chinese background Australians that came to NZ looking for some fun and exciting experience of the nature and Will has given that if not more than what we expected. The birds were nice but you won't get much out of it unless you're a bird person. The best part of this tour was the kayaking throughout various conditions, we went from floating downstream, paddling through slightly heavy wind upstream and sailing downstream with sails and paddles up. To make it more challenging we went through all that with both sun and rain. My in-laws in their 50s find it challenging and had some back and muscle pain afterwards but they loved the pace of the tour and how relaxing Will made it to be. The food was one of the best we've had on this trip to NZ and that's coming from someone who prefer chinese food over western food. We got wet all over from the rain and we got into the muddy water but the summer sun dried us afterwards. Our tour went a little over 4 hours because we got carried away with walking through the wonderful and untouched nature of the wetland.
Written 4 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ricky, thank you for writing a review. We enjoyed meeting you all and having you stay in our accommodation. Glad you liked the tour, we like to bring a fun element into the tour and make sure there is something for everyone. Cheers Will.
Written 16 January 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jamie H
Adelaide, Australia14 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
Aaron and I spent a fantastic late afternoon/evening on the water with Will and Vex (the dog). Our stay in the retreat accommodation was supurb, but this kayaking tour was simply stunning. Will is very knowledgable about the area and Vex is very entertaining, jumping from kayak to kayak. I can't recommend this highly enough!! If you want a relaxed, personal experience on the waters of the Marlborough, this is a gem! Thanks again!!!
Written 3 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a lovely evening with amazing light with a couple of fascinating clients who wanted to know history, wildlife and who were very complimentary.
Written 4 April 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, do these tours still run in June? Our family of four will be traveling through South Island via camper van in early June.
Written 19 August 2017
I don't know but June in NZ is like December in North America. You might want to email them and ask.
Russ
Written 28 August 2017
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