ABOUT NATURES WONDERS
What are we all about
About
The Otago Peninsula headland is arguably the most precious wildlife habitat in New Zealand, and has been described by David Bellamy as "one of the finest examples of eco-tourism in the world". Natures Wonders is located right on the forefront of this headland, and is a self-funded conservation effort to ensure that this land is preserved for all future generations to enjoy, by protecting the penguins, fur seals and other wildlife.
It is a real experience, owned by real people. Wildlife is living in natural environments the way nature intended it to be. The team at Natures Wonders don't feed the wildlife, and the wildlife is not subjected to tagging, handling or any form of testing. This is as real as it gets when it comes to wildlife habitats.
The Yellow Eyed and Blue Penguins are a great example as they freely go about their lives on Penguin Beach. There is a common perception that penguins only go out to sea early in the morning and only return at dusk. This is not the case on Penguin Beach where the undisturbed penguins are seen throughout the day as they come and go and get on with their daily lives.
The excellence of Natures Wonders tours has drawn interest from 28 different documentary film crews and for many visitors it has been the highlight of their New Zealand tour.
The Dream
Perry, Tracey and Martin made a choice: To restore the natural landscape in their corner of the world for future generations. The Reid family believe that if you want something to survive, to thrive, you need to give it a hand up and nothing deserves this protection more than New Zealand’s globally significant and unique flora and fauna.
The Reids are true Kiwis, and they pour 100% into their role as guardians of the Otago headland and the thousands of animals that call it home
THE ADVENTURE
Tourism
Sustainability
Conservation
CONSERVATION
One of the finest examples of eco-tourism in the world.
The Work We Do
Totally self funded Natures Wonders has pumped a staggering amount of money and resources into protecting the beaches, wildlife, and the thousands of native trees that have been planted around the property. Kilometers of twelve foot high predator proof fencing have been erected to protect these beaches, which include the all important Penguin Beach. Penguin beach is a yellow eyed penguin sanctuary and home to the little blue penguin. The predator proof fence line has had a huge impact in protecting the penguins from feral cats, stoats, ferrets and other pests along with a 365 day a year self funded predator control programme which includes trapping and regular patrols of the property.
Over the past few years acres of gorse has been cleared and thousands of native trees have been planted in an effort to restore this precious land and to provide even more natural enviroments for our native birds. Natures Wonders has not created but preserved and restored the enviroments for the penguins, seals, and cormorants to continue to successfully live and breed in their natural surroundings the way Mother Nature intended it to be.
Visitors from all over the world have been left speechlesss and in awe of what is being achieved at Natures Wonders.
Conservation Fund
Natures Wonders has set up a conservation fund, as many of our visitors wanted a way to support the conservation effort. Donations to the fund are gratefully acccepted, as Natures Wonders does not recieve any funding.
Please get in touch with us to learn how you can donate towards the protection of the wildlife habitats, predator control and the planting of native tress at Natures Wonders
THE FARM
Natures Wonders is a working sheep farm running up to 1500 stock units for wool and meat production.
The sheep are perendales which were first bred in 1956 at Massey University by crossing a Cheviot over a Romney. Sheep farming is part of daily life for the Reid family as they find the balance between farming and tourism. The sheep numbers are expected to decrease in the future as more areas of the farm are dedicated to the conservation efforts. These include the thousands of native trees that have been, and will continue to be providing more protected areas for the wildlife. Perry is often spotted around the property mustering, crutching, drafting, drenching and shearing with eldest son Martin as they have the added workload of daily farming chores. The diversity of Natures Wonders is used as a role model for how well farming and conservation can work in our modern world.
Tours of 'The Sheep Shed' at Natures Wonders are now available. This tour is 'the real deal’, a genuine sheep-shearing demonstration timed for your visit.
Want to know more?
We are happy to hear from you, feel free to contact us!