Awarua Guides

Awarua Guides We offer guided, tailor-made adventures, accessing a variety of Fiordland's pristine wilderness and s

This is a once in a life time opportunity to experience breath taking big mountain backdrops, rain forests, pristine waters, wilderness, and world class waves unique to this spectacular South Pacific World Heritage Site. With four generations of heritage along this coastline, Awarua Guides is well placed to deliver a unique trip no matter what the itinerary, skill level or weather conditions. Our

main transport option is by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, but we can also offer other unique packages. Travel to our remote base camp is limited by helicopter, plane, boat or foot, so any arrival or departure option is as exciting as landing on the beach. Please visit our website, or better yet, drop us an email to hear about how you can experience the trip of a lifetime with Awarua Guides.

This wonderful weka we’ve nick named Wendy has become our camp mascot the past couple of days. Not only does this awesom...
07/06/2026

This wonderful weka we’ve nick named Wendy has become our camp mascot the past couple of days. Not only does this awesome bird give you a feel for what NZ was like when brave flightless birds ruled these islands, but she’s also the first weka I know of in Hoki au au Awarua Big Bay in my life time which is a pretty fantastic credit to conservation work that’s been happening in the wider area recently.

The mighty Impulse 2 drops anchor after a recent support & savage mission along the coast. These guys have been supporti...
13/05/2026

The mighty Impulse 2 drops anchor after a recent support & savage mission along the coast. These guys have been supporting beach cleans ups & local communities for multiple generations. They even brought our first tv to the bay. I can still remember wobbling off down the beach on the back of dad’s little tractor as a little kid going to collect this huge tv which was rowed ashore by Geoff from his then fishing boat. The TV was a great addition to the family home as Dad played a lots of exciting live music concerts like Queen live at Wembley ‘86, the Traveling Wilburys, Live Aid, Van Morrison and many more plus great shows like The Living Planet by David Attenborough. It’s always good to see the crew of the Impulse passing by.

Fiordland Coastline, Te Rua-o-te-Moko a wild place rich in history.
11/05/2026

Fiordland Coastline, Te Rua-o-te-Moko a wild place rich in history.

Mum first moved to Big Bay in 1969. It was the last week of the whitebait season so her and Dad went for a hike to Marti...
11/05/2026

Mum first moved to Big Bay in 1969. It was the last week of the whitebait season so her and Dad went for a hike to Martin’s Bay. They meet Daina Hunter along the way and then Sharon Hallet in Martin’s Bay and made lasting friendships. She was particularly taken at the time with Sharon, who while only in her late teens was very happy living an adventurous wilderness life with Keven and their daughter Sandy who was just a baby at the time. Mum said it made a big impression on her seeing how happy and adventurous they were with a young family. Today Sandy’s nephew Jord dropped by for the first time, it’s cool to see the connections continuing.

Zac Condon with an early morning sunshine swoop recently with friends.
07/05/2026

Zac Condon with an early morning sunshine swoop recently with friends.

Great to spend the day catching up with Gav yesterday. The Hollyford conservation trust is doing a fantastic job protec...
04/05/2026

Great to spend the day catching up with Gav yesterday. The Hollyford conservation trust is doing a fantastic job protecting the flora and fauna of northern Fiordland. Relying on volunteers like Gav who had just spent 8 days baiting traps around the tops of the Sara Hills, a great effort and a fantastic way to bring back bird song to our native forests.

Some amazing autumn weather has rolled in over the past couple of weeks & in the most remote corner of one of the most r...
03/05/2026

Some amazing autumn weather has rolled in over the past couple of weeks & in the most remote corner of one of the most remote countries on the planet sit some beautiful waves for those keen to embrace the adventure.

Keeping the dream alive since 1978. Thanks to great family, friends & visitors. Hearts ...
28/04/2026

Keeping the dream alive since 1978. Thanks to great family, friends & visitors. Hearts full. Photo

Two of my oldest and dearest friends Don & Robert. Robert, Beansprout, walked through and met our parents in the 80’s a...
28/04/2026

Two of my oldest and dearest friends Don & Robert. Robert, Beansprout, walked through and met our parents in the 80’s and instantly became a part of our family from that day on. He’s been
an influential friend & uncle through the entire journey.
Dobbie, Dad and Dale had all moved out to the bay in ‘68 forming a long friendship of wilderness living. Dad had no idea what Whitebaiting was at that time and was all about the great red deer hunt going on. When offered a whitebait stand by another by another local moving back to Haast Dad was indifferent. Dob on the other hand knew Whitebaiting well from the mighty Clutha River. His words were clear and simple “make sure you accept the blimmin thing”. Very valuable words once the venison industry crept away. Dob was like that my entire life, his kindness, humour & ability to stay grounded always made you feel seen, heard, his laughs helped any possible stresses melt away.
His words of advice in those early days & relentless friendship, plus Robs choices of wilderness living helped to keep connection to land and environment and the dream alive. Hearts are full with good people in your life.

Known as the world’s only alpine parrot, they are famous for high intelligence, curiosity, and destructive playfulness. ...
27/04/2026

Known as the world’s only alpine parrot, they are famous for high intelligence, curiosity, and destructive playfulness. Seeing kea at the beach is a special thing, we haven’t seen many the last few years, but here’s hoping they come back again soon.

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Queenstown

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+64223677873

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