Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours
Traill Park is a playing field and had goalposts up for the winter sports. We went there at about 8:30 pm in the pitch black darkness to find Kiwi. We walked over the squelchy grass and down the muddy track by torch light. We were very quiet and it was very cold. After about 5 minutes of carefully descending the slippery track, we could hear Kiwi. But of course we couldn't see them in the blackness! There were 2, one up the hill on our right and the other up the hill on the left. Neither seemed close to us. There was no point in making a racket, trying to scramble through the bush to find them. We would have only terrified them especially if we turned our torches on them. So we switched off our torches and just listened to them for a while. I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. It felt even colder so we decided our Kiwi safari was over and 50% successful. We went back to our bach for hot chocolate.nApparently Stewart Island Kiwi are diurnal and can be seen in the daytime. I recommend that as a far more satisfactory time to glimpse them in the wild.nHave fun!
Less than ten minutes walk from the harbour, this place has the reputation to be a key Kiwi spotting area, especially along the edge of the rugby field closer to the forest, opposite Golden Bay Road and, of course, mostly at night.nI patrolled the place in vain several times but some backpackers staying in my place said that they saw some. Starting from the curve on Rankin Street which ends in Thule Road, there is a small trail in the forest which is exquisitely scenic at night and finishes at the field's forested side. With or without Kiwi, it is a must and soo moody when it rains.
Spotted one kiwi and heard about two pairs of them! Definitely need the red light torch get one 50cents red paper from four square if you don't have one, be quiet and be early as once people start coming with their white lights, the kiwi would go hiding stand still by the DOC signage, and be patient you should be able to see the kiwi : and remember not to get too close, and don't go off track and disturb them :
Take the Fuschia trail through the bush to the field. Stand or sit quietly at the edge of the field and wait for the kiwi to stumble across your path. Keep your headlamp off!
A nice quote spot where people have seen Kiwi, none for us tonight but we did hear some calls
