Kiwi Coastal Tours

410 The Esplanade, Island Bay, Wellington 6023, New Zealand

+64 27 252 0099

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109 visitor photos

Ranked #1 of 28 activities in Wellington

67 Reviews

Type: Tours

Owner description: A trip with Gary and Kiwi Coastal Tours will not disappoint, from the start to the end you will be wanting more.An informal Maori mihi or greeting... more » Owner description: A trip with Gary and Kiwi Coastal Tours will not disappoint, from the start to the end you will be wanting more.An informal Maori mihi or greeting starts your experience, be prepared for a relaxing no rush journey around Wellington city, around the coast and along secluded beaches,take in the awesome scenic panoramas of Raukawa (Cook strait) and on a fine day views of the south island of New Zealand.Learn about the maori way of life pre-european to the present day,hear about the legends of the land and the way Maori used what nature provide for sustenance and as medicines.Safe off road sojourns are a special delight you will get to visit areas that even the locals rarely get to view, there is so much on offer with Gary and Kiwi Coastal Tours so bring a camera and a smile and Gary will throw in a cuppa tea or coffee at our designated rest area with toilet facilities and an awesome view. Be prepared for an enjoyable three (3) hours. Did I mention the wild animals ? I have a reliable vehicle that transports 5 (five) persons comfortably or 6 (six) at a push. I am a one man operation so you get me and only me. Looking forward to having you share this experience with me. Regards GARY KIEL

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67 reviews from our community

Rich S

Reviewer

3 reviews

3 attraction reviews

Reviews in 3 cities

1 helpful vote

“Different places”

Reviewed May 24, 2013 NEW via mobile

Gary advertised a different type of tour and delivered. We drove into a private area where the views were spectacular. Gary then returned us to Wellington to met his wife where we enjoyed a great lunch at their cafe.

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tebe99

Laupheim, Germany

2 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

“Even more than expected”

Reviewed May 13, 2013

The biggest risk with such higly rated tours is, that you expect too much. But here it was even better. The tour was definitely the best part of our 1.day-visit in Wellington! Everything what you can read about this tour is right! Make the arrangement with Garry and have some great hours with a great guy arround Wellington!

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Kia ora and thank you for your review. It is was a pleasure to have shown you a different side to Wellington and include the culture and history of the area. Visitors from all over the world have experienced Kiwi Coastal tours in comfort and safety and I thank you for rating me so highly in your review. I hope... More

tresure

hampshire, UK

Senior Contributor

21 reviews

3 attraction reviews

Reviews in 15 cities

17 helpful votes

“A must”

Reviewed May 7, 2013

This was the one trip we really wanted to do when we were in Wellington for two months recently and it really lived up to expectations. Gary (and his wife Maraea) are charming and welcomed us so warmly. The vehicle is very big and solid and it needs to be as this is not a trip for the fearful! It... More

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Kia ora and thank you for your great review of our tour together. Safety is paramount on my tour as is the comfort of my (manuhiri) guests. So pleased that you enjoyed the cultural side of my tour the views and the animals which help make Kiwi Coastal Tours unique. It was a pleasure to spend time with you. Nga... More

teaforte

Hangzhou, China

Contributor

13 reviews

6 attraction reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

2 helpful votes

“If you can pick only one activity in Wellington...”

Reviewed May 7, 2013

I'd say go with Gary's Kiwi Coastal Tours. We joined a very personal tour with just my mom and I, and it was our very first tour on our first day in New Zealand. We couldn't have hoped for a better start. Gary actually picked us up from the airport and then took us to his wife's little cafe for... More

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See 2 more reviews by teaforte for Wellington

Kia ora Amy Thank you for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure to have the company of yourself and your mum on my tour and I am very pleased that you both enjoyed the afternoon with me. I hope you have returned home safely, please give my regards to your mum. Nga mihi nui kia korua Gary More

bubbagump923

salt pond village

Top Contributor

56 reviews

22 attraction reviews

Reviews in 17 cities

20 helpful votes

“Gary and Maraea were WONDERFUL. Do NOT miss this fun, Informative excursion when in Wellington”

Reviewed May 7, 2013

PLEASE Do not miss the opportunity to coordinate your personal trip with Gary. Not only do you start and finish with a wonderful Maori blessing, you get to see the mountains, coastline, local flora and fauna, including abalone, seals, wild pigs, goats, deer, ducks all from your 4WD Toyota. I would have been hesitant to drive these roads as a... More

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See 5 more reviews by bubbagump923 for Wellington

Kia ora Dave and Mary What an awesome review, thank you so much. I am grateful for the kind words and thankful that you enjoyed our time together. It is important for me to ensure the safety and comfort of my (manuhiri) guest and although the conditions were not the best it is pleasing to know you still enjoyed the... More

Big G Fireman

Glasgow

Senior Reviewer

6 reviews

6 attraction reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

“Top Notch Hospitality”

Reviewed May 3, 2013 via mobile

As part of our recently completed World Cruise we stopped off in Wellington on Feb 19th this year. Arranging this tour by e-mail had been easy and Gary picked us up at the port as promised. Gary is a big man but his welcome was even bigger and made us feel very welcome. The tour around the hills outside Wellington... More

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Kia ora George and Angela Thank you for your review of our tour together, I am so pleased that you both enjoyed the day. Especially pleased that you enjoyed the maori culture and history aspect of the tour. I hope that you have returned safely home and are now enjoying a warm summer. Maraea says hi to you both. Regards... More

jimbo600

wellington

Reviewer

4 reviews

4 attraction reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

1 helpful vote

“Remarkable trip”

Reviewed April 27, 2013

Myself and family attended this trip over the weekend. I am a Wellington local and dive instructor, and I thought I knew Wellington. I could not have been more wrong. Gary's trip was educational, friendly and immensely rewarding. A truly great Wellington attraction and a must do for locals and tourists alike. Very highly recommended.

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Nga mihi kia koe Jim Thanks for the great review of our trip around the South coast, so glad that you all enjoyed the time togeter. It is very pleasing to entertain locals and show them what is at their back door. I hope more locals take the oppotunity to visit the area with me as well. Regards Gary More

napoli96

Pittsburgh, PA

Senior Contributor

22 reviews

10 attraction reviews

Reviews in 19 cities

11 helpful votes

“Thrilling Wellington coastal tour with Gary”

Reviewed April 24, 2013

On a cruise ship stop in March in Wellington, we toured with Gary of Kiwi Coastal Tours. Gary is a larger than life Maori who is extremely proud of his heritage and wants to make you appreciate his culture as much as he does. We did a 3 hour hillside farm and coastal tour. Gary's driving on the farm cliffs... More

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Kia ora and thank you for your kind words on our tour together. I am a proud New Zealander and immensley proud of my Maori heritage, it is an integral part of my offering to Manuhiri. (visitors/guests) As we have such a short time together it is very pleasing to hear that what Kiwi Coastal Tours offers by way of... More

BSinPNS

Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA

Top Contributor

86 reviews

30 attraction reviews

Reviews in 46 cities

31 helpful votes

“Wellington on a Rainy Day”

Reviewed April 21, 2013

Gary met us inside the port facility on a very wet day. Since all of NZ was in a drought, the rain was welcomed by the farmers, but it dampened what we were able to do. Gary modified the tour route since climbing into the mountains was going to show us nothing but the rain clouds. We meandered along the... More

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Kia ora Thank you for your review of my tour, the weather plays a big part in Wellington and I am fortunate that I can change the tour to suit the day and give the best opportunities for my guests to enjoy themselves. With large groups it is necessary to employ another driver but I try to include everyone in... More

Marie K

Milton, Massachusetts, United States

2 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

1 helpful vote

“American Tourist”

Reviewed April 19, 2013

Was very impressed with this tour I took on March 11,2013. Picked up at my son's house by owner Gary for a three hour tour. He offered his Maori background even teaching me a few Maori words. I saw amazing views, secluded beaches, and several seals. His four wheel drive went into many trails any other vehicle could never do.... More

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Kia ora Marie Thank you so much for your kind words of our time together it was special to me also. I love sharing what the south coast has to offer visitors to our city with the added Maori history and culture and the spectacular scenery thrown in for good measure. I hope that you are safe and well and... More