Join us on an extraordinary 500-year journey
Guided tours
Guided tour at Karori Sanctuary
On a guided tour of Karori Sanctuary you will see and hear how New Zealand once was, and learn about our unique vision to turn back the clock to the day before humans arrived.
Our friendly guides will help you experience some of New Zealand’s most incredible and endangered native animals in the wild - tuatara; kiwi; weta; hihi; saddleback; kaka - and give you an intimate insight into New Zealand's world-famous wildlife conservation movement.
The following tours operate daily from our Visitor Centre. Places are limited and booking is advisable.
Sanctuary Escape tour
An intimate experience of New Zealand's weird and wonderful wildlife in its natural environment.
This two hour afternoon tour is perfect for people on a tight schedule. Begin your journey with a scenic cruise across our scenic lower lake (weather permitting). With the help of your friendly guide, you can almost guarantee sightings of New Zealand’s famous ‘living fossil’ the tuatara; our playful forest parrot the kaka; and our fearsome (but harmless) weta! Along the way, your guide will point out rare species like hihi and saddleback, only recently brought back from the brink of extinction by conservation projects like the Sanctuary.
Tours depart daily, September to April inclusive, 3.5 hours before sunset. The departure time is confirmed at time of booking and also available online. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes before tour departure time.
| Length | 2 hours (tour starts and finishes at the Visitor Centre) |
| Times | Daily (Sept-Apr only), departs 3.5 hours before sunset. Download tour times here. |
| Transport | Available to and from the city. $15 return. Must be pre-booked. |
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Cost |
Adults - $55, Children - $30 (5-16 years). Under 5 years - FREE. Prices correct as of October 2008. |
Sanctuary By Night Tour
Little spotted kiwi and tuatara are just two of the iconic species often encountered on this unique tour by torchlight.
As dusk falls over our valley, you will hear an incredible sound – birdsong that hasn’t been heard on mainland New Zealand for centuries. Kaka squabble in the trees overhead, always the last to go to bed! When darkness has settled, your guide will start looking for our elusive national mascot – the kiwi. Over 100 call the Sanctuary home, so there’s a good chance of spotting one, foraging in the leaf litter! Often, the glow-worms are so bright you won’t even need your torch! This is an utterly unforgettable experience: New Zealand at its very best.
Tours depart every night except Christmas Day. 30 minutes before sunset. The departure time is confirmed at time of booking and also available online. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes before tour departure time. Dress to suit the weather conditions - it can get very cold in the Sanctuary at night. Bring sturdy footwear, a waterproof jacket and warm layers. Torches are supplied.
| Length | 2 hours (tour starts and finishes at the Visitor Centre) |
| Times | Daily, departs 30 minutes before sunset. Download tour times here. |
| Transport | Available to and from the city. $15 return. Must be pre-booked. |
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Cost |
Adults - $60, Children - $30 (12-16 years). Minimum age 12 years. Prices correct as of October 2008. |
| Members and accompanying guests receive 50% off. Please put your membership number in the Customer Comments section when booking online. As long as your membership is up to date we will process your booking with a 50% discount. |
Sanctuary Introduction tour
This taster tour is a great introduction to New Zealand's native wildlife.
Discover some of the highlights of the Sanctuary and learn about the work we are doing to bring some of New Zealand's rarest animals back from the brink. Your experienced guide will help you spot iconic species like tuatara, kaka, tui and weta, before leaving you at the historic upper dam. From there, take a leisurely stroll back to the Visitor Centre, or keep on exploring - there are over 30km of bushwalks to explore.
| Length | 1 hour (tour finishes at the Upper Dam) |
| Times | Daily at 11am; and also at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays |
| Transport | Not available. The Sanctuary is five minutes drive from the CBD and on the main Karori bus route. |
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Cost |
Adults - $28, Children - $14 (5-16 years). Under 5 years - FREE. Prices correct as of October 2008. |
Customised Tours
Customised tours are designed for groups of 10 or more. We can tailor your tour to your requirements. Contact us for details.
