Things to do & places to visit in Chatham Islands, New Zealand

Chatham Islands #3 destination in New Zealand 2023. The average rating score is 4.63 based on 115 traveler reviews, of 22 attractions. Timezone: Pacific/Chatham, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 23:42.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (23 attractions)

5.0 Admiral Gardens (18 reviews)
- A Garden of Significance!!!
Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Louis has created a Masterpiece during the last 45 years. Amazing large vegetables, a fish pond, magnificent large dahlias, canna lilies, and all the other stunning flowers and trees. There are garden rooms which cover about 2 acres. She also has her own studio where she does lovely paintings and sells honey and pottery. You will be truly amazed when you meet this creative woman!! See more..
5.0 Ocean Mail Scenic Reserve (10 reviews)
- Beach like the Caribbean"
Nature & Wildlife Areas

White sand beaches with turquoise waters and Ink Blue depths the colours were startling. Enjoy the picnic lunch provided by the Hotel. See more..
5.0 Chatham Islands Tourism, Travel & Tours (3 reviews)
- Great experience
Sunday: Multi-day Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Day Trips

Marcel was professional tour operator. It was great to have him arranged access and obtained permission for us for some of our destinations. We did have Marcel guide us on a couple of days. Both days were great, we were given local tips and the tours were conducted with humour and local information pertinent to the sites. See more..
5.0 Tuku Scenic Farm Tour (2 reviews)
- Awatotara Bush Coastal Walking Track
Nature & Wildlife Areas

This is a fantastic walk from the road side to the Coast, the track is marked but a good level of fitness is required, it takes around 3 hours return trip. Opportunity to see Chatham Island birdlife and endemic plants. This is a private walk so you need permission first. In season you can also visit the innovative conservation projects run on this property by the Taiko Trust. Take a snack at rest down at the coast, its beautiful. See more..
5.0 Owenga Charters (1 review)
- First class fishing
Fishing Charters & Tours

This is indeed the fishing trip you will remember for years. Glen is a great skipper and host. The vessel is ideal for a group, with space for about six at a time to hardline for cod and Hapuka. You should be sure to include a trip in your Chathams holiday. See more..
5.0 Point Munning (1 review)
- Long drive to get to but worth it in the end
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
We paid our $50 entry fee to the family who owned the land and embarked over the paddock via a small worn track. Sheep everywhere and as dumb as they are often ran in front of the car. Got to the end of the road and had to walk final part on a track to the seal colony. Got good photos especially of the babies who seemed to be only days old. Hold your nose if the wind is blowing in the right direction See more..
4.5 Basalt Columns (22 reviews)
- Basalt Columns - Chatham Islands
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Great place to visit if you are interested in Geology. These volcanic columns (cooling structures) are situated at Ohira Bay, Northern Chatham Islands. These lava flows erupted on land 85-80 million years ago. See more..
4.5 Tommy Solomon Memorial (11 reviews)
- Significant History
Monuments & Statues

It is worth the 30 minute trip to Owenga to visit the statue of Tommy Solomon which is situated at Manukau. To complete the story make sure you visit Kopinga Marae they are open for guided tours on a Wednesday at 10.00am. Make sure you ring first. See more..
4.5 Henga Scenic Reserve (10 reviews)
- beautiful bush walk
Nature & Wildlife Areas

beautiful lime stone rock formations, views of the beach, walk in the sand dunes and the bush to see Weka and sea birds See more..
4.5 Chatham Islands Museum (8 reviews)
- Chronological history of the islands
History Museums

What a wonderful place to learn of the ancient and modern history of the Chatham Islands and their peoples. The contents of this building are a credit to the past and present islanders wanting to share and keep their history intact. For so small a community, approx 600, spread between four settlements, it is a wonderful show piece with many irreplaceable artifacts within. See more..
4.5 JM Barker (Hapupu) National Historic Reserve (8 reviews)
- Amazing History
Nature & Wildlife Areas

This reserve is one of the only tow national historic reserves in New Zealand. Hapupu protects rakau momori (Moriori tree carvings). The walk through the bush takes you to some of the unique rakau momori, takes around 20 minutes. There's also a nice rest area, so bring along a picnic lunch. See more..
4.5 Waitangi Bay Beach (6 reviews)
- Paua you can get yourself.
Beaches

If you time low tide right you won't get wet above your knees the Hotel lends you the correct plastic knife to get them off the rocks. Yum! See more..
4.5 Pitt Island Day Tour (5 reviews)
- Great one day trip!!!
Sightseeing Tours

Fantastic one day trip to Pitt Island! An absolute „Must“ for the historically and geologically interested! Fly over with the charming pilot Stefan and be shown around the island by the equally charming and very knowledgeable Brent. Have lunch at the lodge lovingly prepared by Brents wife Bernadette. Don’t hesitate to let them know if you are vegetarian or vegan. „Bernie“ caters for all! Made so many great photos and learnt so much more about NZ history, flora and fauna! If you ask Stefan nicely, he may even let you sit in the front of the plane. Very cool! See more..
4.5 Nikau Bush Conservation Area (5 reviews)
- Splendid bush area
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests

This is an excellent area of native bush including lots of wonderful nikaus and an easy and enjoyable walk. See more..
4.0 Tikitiki Hill Conservation Area (2 reviews)
- a view of Waitangi
Nature & Wildlife Areas
a short climb to the very top of the hill gives lovely views across the bay, the old TV station is also on the hill so worth a look. See more..
4.0 Chatham Cottage & Gifts (2 reviews)
- Local Crafts & Souvenirs
Art Galleries
Chatham Cottage Gifts is a locally run gift shop where you can purchase goods made by the locals and Chatham Island souvenirs. There is also a fantastic selection of books to purchase about the Chatham Islands and some are written by people who have lived here also. Very good reading. Also Chatham Islands Hats and Tee Shirts. It's worth a browse, there is something for everyone in this wee shop. This is also an opportunity to have a chat with people that have lived and worked most of their lives on these Islands. See more..
4.0 Glory Cottage (1 review)
- Old time sea cottage
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

restored by DOC's but the inside is quite dirty and needs a good scrub. Amazing views and rare bird nests on the rocks, (Chatham Oyster Catcher). See more..
Tourism Chatham Islands (0 review)
Multi-day Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Air Tours • Day Trips

See more..
Chatham Express Fishing Charters (0 review)
Fishing Charters & Tours
See more..
Chatham Island Golf Club (0 review)
Golf Courses
See more..
Thomas Mohi Tuuta (Rangaika) Scenic Reserve and Cliffs (0 review)
Hiking Trails
See more..
Nunuku's Cave (0 review)
Caverns & Caves
See more..
Chatham Express Fishing Charters (0 review)
Fishing Charters & Tours
See more..