2 Best Sights in Wellington and the Wairarapa, New Zealand

Head 30 km (19 miles) north of Masterton to Mount Bruce for a fine introduction to the country's wildlife at this preserve and captive breeding site. An easy trail through the bush (one hour, round-trip) takes you past aviaries containing rare, endangered, or vulnerable birds, including the takahē, a flightless species thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948. The real highlight, though is the nocturnal habitat containing foraging kiwis, endearing little bundles of energy that are the national symbol. In addition to animal feedings and talks, Pūkaha offers tours and workshops that can be booked online.

Just minutes from downtown Wellington, more than 500 acres of forest have been transformed into a safe haven for New Zealand's most endangered native species. A specially designed fence creates a cage-free eco-sanctuary for species that had disappeared from the mainland. Tuatara (a reptile), New Zealand's unique "living fossil," are breeding, as are takahē and saddleback (birds), which have both been brought back from the brink of extinction. Pick up a map and explore at your leisure, or join a two-hour guided tour. The flashlight-led nighttime tour is very popular; departing about 30 minutes before sunset, it provides a glimpse into the nocturnal world—you might even spy a little spotted kiwi or the legendary ruru owl.