Planning your visit

Welcome to Karori Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is just a ten minute drive from anywhere in central Wellington and well-served by the city's public bus network (see 'Getting Here' below). Entry is via the Visitor Centre at the end of Waiapu Road.

We are currently undertaking a major building project. Our new Visitor & Education Centre is due to open in November 2009. Please note that during this period, entry to the Sanctuary will be via a temporary access track. Wheelchair users or people with strollers may require assistance. Our staff will be more than happy to help.

Once inside the Visitor Centre, you will be welcomed by a team of trained staff and volunteer hosts who will pass on information about the Sanctuary and details of interesting things to see on the day.

The Visitor Centre hosts and staff will also help you to purchase entry tickets and guide you to the self bag-check area before passing through the Sanctuary gates into the world's first urban pest-free environment. Our Visitor Centre hosts and staff are also available to arrange for you to become a member of the Sanctuary Trust or talk to you about the opportunities for volunteer work in the Sanctuary.

Visiting Hours

• Open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
• 10am - 5pm.
• Last entry at 4pm.

Admission fees

• Adults $12.00
• Children $5.00
• Family $29.00 (2x adults and 3x children)
• Free admission for members and pre-school children
• Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult

Sanctuary Tours

For first time visitors we recommend one of our fascinating guided tours. Our experienced guides help visitors spot our special birds and are very knowledgeable about our bird and plant species.

Public access to the Sanctuary

Access to the Sanctuary is available at a single-entry gate at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Visitor Centre, at the end of Waiapu Road, Karori. For biosecurity reasons this is the only public entry point.

How to get here

For visitors coming from the city take Glenmore Street, turn left at the Kelburn viaduct mini-roundabout and continue through the Karori Tunnel. Waiapu Road is the first left immediately after exiting the tunnel.

• This Wises Map shows the location of the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Visitor Centre is at the end of Waiapu Rd.

Parking

Free car parking is available in the Sanctuary's carpark at the end of Waiapu Road. Disabled car parking is available. Parking is also available on Chaytor St, Birdwood St, and Waiapu Rd.

Public transport

The Sanctuary is easy to reach by public transport. The following bus services will take you past the entry to Waiapu Road:

• #3 to Karori Park (every 15 minutes at peak times)
• #22 and #23 to Mairangi (every half hour)
• #21 to Wrights Hill (hourly Monday-Friday)
• #18 to Karori Park via Vic Uni (every half hour, Monday-Friday).

For further timetable information visit Metlink.

Please disembark at the first stop after the Karori Tunnel. The Sanctuary Visitor Centre is an easy five minute walk from the bus stop down Waiapu Road, which is back toward the tunnel.

Wellington Rover Tours

Wellington Rover offers a 'hop-on hop-off' sightseeing service around Wellington City and now includes the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary on its list of options for passengers to explore. A Karori Wildlife Rover pass provides return transport from the Wellington Visitor Centre, in Wakefield Street to the Sanctuary at various times during the day. See Wellington Rover for more details.

Walking in the Sanctuary

The Sanctuary offers a wide range of walking tracks, suitable for all ages. Visitors are free to wander at their own pace and are encouraged to ask our roving guides questions about the Sanctuary and seek advice on tracks and trails.

Walking in the sanctuary

Previous visitors returning to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary will notice immediate changes. With the Sanctuary essentially pest-free, there is noticeably more bird life, and fruiting and flowering of native trees.

For more information on the range of guided walks, visit our Sanctuary Tours page.

For Your Safety

• Dress to suit the weather conditions - sensible clothing and walking shoes are recommended.
• Ensure you are back at the visitor centre at the recommended time before dark.

Help protect what we’ve created

Please be aware that smoking and fires are not permitted anywhere in the Sanctuary.

And as we’re a protected area, dogs are not permitted to be brought into the Sanctuary, with the exception of guide dogs. Please provide 24 hours notice of your intention to bring a guide dog into the Sanctuary.

Education House for Hire

View from Education House

Are you looking for a place to hold a small team meeting, just a bit different from the hum-drum of most venues?

The Sanctuary is pleased to offer you its Education House, only five minutes from downtown Wellington, yet a world away from the concrete jungle.

This is your chance to escape from the city and get your creative juices flowing.

To make the team meeting even more special you could also include a customised guided tour of the Sanctuary, where you’ll get to enjoy the very best of New Zealand 's great outdoors as well.

To make your booking please call the Sanctuary on ph 04 920 9200.

For information on other activities and attractions to visit in Wellington , please visit the official tourism website, www.WellingtonNZ.com.