If you are planning a holiday in sunny New Zealand, you will no doubt be looking to visit the nature reserve that is Motuara Island, which sits on the mouth of Queen Charlotte Sound. This small island is 56 acres in size and James Cook was there; he actually climbed the hill and proclaimed the island as British territory. Indeed, James Cook was fond of colonising foreign lands and declaring them part of the British Empire.
The last predator-free sanctuary
Animals obviously take their chances in the wild; an injured animal isn’t likely to survive, as predators are looking for injured prey and it doesn’t take long for them to be sought out and preyed upon. There is, however, a predator-free sanctuary, where every species of animal does not have the constant threat of predation. There probably isn’t another island in the world that is 100% predator-free and when you are ready, enjoy a hike along Queen Charlotte track in Picton and see the diverse flora and fauna.
One-hour guided tour
The predator-free sanctuary is the highlight of your visit to Motuara Island and you will see the park with an English-speaking tour guide, who explains the ecosystem and the species that inhabit the island. Wonder at the resident blue penguins, melodic birds and yellow-crowned parakeets. A highlight of the tour is the view from Cook’s Strait, which is Instagram-worthy.
Fearless birds
As you would expect in an environment without predators, animals, particularly birds, are not afraid of humans. You can get some amazing photoshoots with some of the cheeky birds, who seem to love attention.
Maori connection
Long before James Cook arrived in 1770, the Maori people used the island as a staging point for crossing the strait. It seems totally ridiculous that only a few centuries ago, it was OK to travel the world and steal land, destroy cultures and profit from the experience. Fortunately, most of the British Commonwealth has been returned to its rightful owners.
Kupes Trail
The highlight of the Queen Charlotte Walk is the 5km Kupes trail; located in Schoolhouse Bay, the trail is a treasure trove of natural wonders and you are greeted by refreshments at the end of the hike.
If you would like to learn more about Motuara Island, Google is your best friend.