Flora & Fauna
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Kea
The Kea is the only mountain parrot in the world and is only found in the mountains of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
The Kea is the only mountain parrot in the world and is only found in the mountains of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
South Island Edelweiss
Flowers in New Zealand's South Island mountains during January and February. It is found in rocky places in alpine areas up to 1700m.
Flowers in New Zealand's South Island mountains during January and February. It is found in rocky places in alpine areas up to 1700m.
Mount Cook Lily
The world's largest buttercup. Subalpine to low- alpine herbfields. Flowers November to January.
The world's largest buttercup. Subalpine to low- alpine herbfields. Flowers November to January.
Rock Wren
Lives in the rocky areas of the alpine environment. Believed to be spending the winter underground between rocks.
Lives in the rocky areas of the alpine environment. Believed to be spending the winter underground between rocks.
Large Mountain Daisy
Alpine herbfields. Flowers December to February.
Alpine herbfields. Flowers December to February.
Giant Scree Weta
Unique to New Zealand. The Giant Scree Weta is an alpine specialist and lives largely under rocks on scree. It comes out at night to feed on small scree plants. Alpine Weta have the unique ability to freeze solid without being killed.
Unique to New Zealand. The Giant Scree Weta is an alpine specialist and lives largely under rocks on scree. It comes out at night to feed on small scree plants. Alpine Weta have the unique ability to freeze solid without being killed.
Snow Marguerite
Subalpine and alpine herbfields. Flowers January and February.
Subalpine and alpine herbfields. Flowers January and February.
New Zealand Falcon
High Country and alpine areas. Agressive during breeding time. The native falcon is the jet-fighter among the birds of prey, usually downing its prey on the wing.
High Country and alpine areas. Agressive during breeding time. The native falcon is the jet-fighter among the birds of prey, usually downing its prey on the wing.
Little Mountain Heath
Subalpine and alpine grasslands. Berries ripen from December to April.
Subalpine and alpine grasslands. Berries ripen from December to April.
Alpine Grasshopper
Lives in the alpine herbfields. In order to conserve energy alpine grasshoppers spend up to 90 percent of their day resting. Their food requirements are extraordinarily low, thus they conserve their environment.
Lives in the alpine herbfields. In order to conserve energy alpine grasshoppers spend up to 90 percent of their day resting. Their food requirements are extraordinarily low, thus they conserve their environment.
Giant Spaniard
Grows in wet areas of the lower alpine herbfields. Flowers November to January.
Grows in wet areas of the lower alpine herbfields. Flowers November to January.
Kea
Keas are always inquisitive. They are very intelligent. Naturally they want to know what your crampons are used for.
Keas are always inquisitive. They are very intelligent. Naturally they want to know what your crampons are used for.
Mount Cook Lily
Magnificent display of Mount Cook Lilies in the Hooker Valley.
Magnificent display of Mount Cook Lilies in the Hooker Valley.
Kea
Keas are always playful and sociable.
Keas are always playful and sociable.
On the Aoraki/Mount Cook Trek, Ball Pass Summit Trek and Ball Pass Crossing you will see a wonderful display of New Zealand's unique alpine flora and fauna. Due to New Zealand's long geological isolation many of these plants and animals are only to be seen here.
Your knowledgeable guide will point out the many features that set these mountains apart from the rest of the world.