Attractions - what to see and do on your visit

Which attractions would you like to explore?

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary offers a unique blend of native species thriving in their natural setting, accessible walking trails, and local history focusing on the way the Sanctuary’s valley has been used through time. Which attractions would you like to explore?

Heritage Area

The historic valve tower

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Sanctuary. Close to the Visitor Centre is the Governor’s boatshed, which houses an informative display telling the story of the valley. The historic valve tower is a favourite spot for photos. It features intricate machinery used in the reservoir era. The laying of a time capsule in this area links together the past, present and future of the Sanctuary.

Scenic Boat Ride

The Ara Kawau electric boat

Try a great alternative to walking. The Ara Kawau electric boat provides a peaceful and unique view of the Sanctuary valley from the lower lake. Observe the best forest area along the western slope. You may even spot shags roosting in the trees or flying alongside the boat.

Times: Peak visitor periods in the weekends and on public holidays 11am - 3pm (last sailing at 2.30pm from wetlands). Also part of the scheduled Sanctuary Escape day tours.

Cost: One-way journey is $3 adult, $2 child and $8 family (2 adults, and up to 3 children). Tickets are purchased on the boat, which departs near the valve tower and from the wetlands.

Bird Cams

Kiwi chick caught on camera

Get up close to the birds as they nest, breed and feed! A permanent 'Bird Cam' monitor is located on the main Lake Road just a few metres up from the Visitor Centre. Smaller roving monitors are moved around the Sanctuary depending on what is happening.

Birdsong Gully

Listening to the calls at
Birdsong Gully

Get acquainted with the birdsong of the Sanctuary. Birdsong Gully includes listening stations where you will hear the call of birds such as tui, little spotted kiwi, saddleback and kaka. Distinguish the different sounds so you can recognise real birdsong while you explore. Located just five minutes walk from the main entrance along the Lake Road.

Weta Hotels

A four-star weta hotel

Be a guest at the Weta Hotels. Visit the large prehistoric creepy-crawlies that take up residence behind the Perspex windows in their natural-looking hidey-holes. These unique dwellings are open for visitors at Tui Terrace and further along the lake road between the junctions with the Beech Track and the Te Mahanga track.

Wetlands

The Keith Taylor wetlands

Study rare native species in a wetland environment. The Keith Taylor wetland features a weir with permanent aquatic feeding and breeding areas, especially favoured by waterfowl such as scaup, shoveller and the rare brown teal.

Check out the fish ladder that promotes movement of native fish and eels from the stream and wetland area to the lower lake.

Morning Star Goldmine

Entrance to the goldmine

Discover an intriguing little goldmine. Once bustling with prospectors searching for gold, it is now a home only to glow worms and cave weta. Take a step back in time to those early 'gold rush' days by venturing into the old claim tunnel, and by looking down into the shaft from above.

Time: The gate inside the goldmine is open on weekends, usually 11am-1pm and 2-4pm so you can go to the end of the mine and look up the vertical shaft. The gate is closed about a third of the way in if you visit outside these hours.

Location: Only 15 minutes’ walk from the main entrance; head up the Morning Star track off the main Lake Road. Not suitable for pushchairs.

Tui Terrace

Discover a great place for a picnic and hear the distinctive melody of the tui. The Tui Terrace picnic area is a favourite spot to watch tui and many other bird species. While you are here, examine the rings of the 120-year-old History Tree, which are linked by a time-line to landmarks in New Zealand's past and also to key events in the country’s natural history.

Kaka Feeding Stations

Kaka feeding

Enjoy the feeding antics of the playful kaka. Self-dispensing feed stations have been installed near Tui Terrace and beneath the upper dam to encourage these inquisitive native forest parrots to set up homes in the valley.

Time: Kaka feeding time is 1.30pm daily beneath the upper dam.

Historic Dam

Historic upper dam

Make a beeline for the Sanctuary’s unique viewing experience. Completed in 1908, the upper dam is one of only two or three gravity arch dams in New Zealand. Its position offers unrestricted views both up and down the Sanctuary valley. A pair of powerful binoculars have been installed on the dam for your use.

Viewing Hides

Bird-watching from a hide

Spy on the inhabitants of Wellington city’s largest wetland! The area around the upper reservoir has been restored to feature viewing hides, walking tracks, and landscaping of aquatic bird breeding areas. The viewing hides can be accessed from the Round the Lake track.

Discovery Area

Discovery area

Take a walk back in time. The Discovery Area gives you a tangible historical experience of the upper dam vicinity during its construction (1906-1908). Follow the easy grade tracks to find artefacts, structures, and excavations which show past occupations and usage. The discovery area leads off the Campbell Street track and loops to the Round the Lake track.

There’s just so much to see – too much for just one visit!