Sanctuary Tours

Sanctuary walk at upper dam

For first time visitors to the Sanctuary we recommend a guided tour to make the most of your visit. Let an experienced guide take you on a fascinating 2 hour tour, learn about New Zealand’s treasured birds and plants and find out why Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is truly unique and a world-first conservation attraction.

We have a range of tours to suit everyone. For all tours, bring clothing suitable to the conditions, walking shoes and binoculars (if you have them). Torches are supplied for the night tour.

Sanctuary Escape tour

The complete Sanctuary experience! Take a little more time to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Sanctuary. Begin with a cruise on the lake in our unique electric boat (weather dependent), hear our fascinating story and then experience some of the Sanctuary’s most exciting residents, such as tuatara, kaka, hihi, saddleback and weta.

Length:	2 hours
Times:	Daily (Sept – April only), three and a half hours before sunset. Download tour times calendar (14 kB pdf).
Transport:	Available to and from the city. $10 return. Must be pre-booked.
Cost:	Adults - $40, Children - $20 (5-16 years). Under-fives are free.

To book a Sanctuary Escape tour call our Visitor Centre on (04)-920-9213 (International +64-4-920-9213), 10am-5pm, or Book a tour online.

Sanctuary by Night – 2 hour tour

Sanctuary by moonlight.
Photo by Judi Lapsley Miller

Wellington’s nightlife is legendary, but for a truly wild night out, it’s hard to beat a night tour of the Sanctuary. Enjoy the dusk chorus as the sun sets, then join the search for nocturnal wildlife like tuatara and little spotted kiwi. Marvel at magical displays of native glow-worms.

Bring clothing suitable to the conditions, walking shoes and binoculars (if you have them). Torches are supplied for the night tour.

Length:	2 hours
Times:	Daily, 30 minutes before sunset. Download tour times calendar (14 kB pdf).
Transport:	Available to and from the city. $10 return. Must be pre-booked.
Cost:	Adults - $45, Children - $20 (12-16 years old). Minimum age of 12 years on this tour. MEMBERS are entitles to a 50% discount on this tour. Please put your membership number in the Customer Comments section to take advantage of this discount. This discount is also available to people BOOKED BY and ACCOMPANYING you.

To book a Sanctuary by Night tour call the Visitor Centre on (04)-920-9213 (International +64-4-920-9213), 10am-5pm or Book a tour online.

Sanctuary Introduction tour

Discover some of the highlights of the Sanctuary and hear our extraordinary story. Spot iconic species like tuatara, kaka, tui and weta. A short tour that ends at the historic upper dam; from there take a leisurely stroll back to the Visitor Centre.

Length:	1 hour
Times:	Daily at 11am; and also at 2pm on Sat/Sun.
Transport:	Not available on this tour
Cost:	Adults - $22, Children (5-16 years) - $11. Under-fives are free.

To book a Sanctuary Introduction tour call our Visitor Centre on (04)-920-9213 (International +64 4 920 9213), 10am-5pm, or Book a tour online.

Customised Tours

Customised tours are designed for groups of 10 or more. We can tailor your tour to your requirements. Contact us for details on (04)-920-9213 (International +64-4-920-9213), 10am-5pm, or email bookings@sanctuary.org.nz.

All walks leave from the Sanctuary Visitor Centre at the end of Waiapu Rd, Karori. Free car parking is available.

The walks are on well-formed tracks. Sensible walking shoes are required and please dress for the weather conditions.

You need to unpack and re-pack any bags you are carrying before entering the valley to avoid any risks of pests being inadvertently carried into the Sanctuary.

Sanctuary Guided Tour

The Ultimate Nature Tour

View over Wellington harbour

Another great option is to combine a Sanctuary tour with a CAT adventure. CAT Tours offer a fantastic, 4WD tour of the South Coast, including a stop-off at the Sanctuary for a one hour tour and boat ride. This is the ultimate Wellington Nature Tour, tailored to suit your group. Come aboard CAT’s Mercedes Benz Unimog, an army truck modified with all the comforts, so you can get off the beaten track in style! – contact CAT on 04 562 8888 or email info@cattours.co.nz or visit www.cattours.co.nz.

Tips for members who bring family and friends

Visit the Sanctuary and bring your family and friends
As members and friends of the Sanctuary, share with others what you have helped build.

Visit the web site regularly
Learn about the Sanctuary, as this will enrich your visit and help you to explain the vision, history and tell the stories of the wonderful progress we have made to date.

Spread the news
Ensure that people understand that this is a work in progress and that nature will take time to repair the damage made by pests. The good news is that the Sanctuary is on the road to recovery.

Remember we are not a Zoo
The Sanctuary is a protected ecosystem and we have a policy of minimal intervention with all wildlife released within the fenced area.

Guided tours
For first time visitors, recommend a guided tour as this provides the fascinating and unique story behind what we’re achieving. Our experienced guides also know the best ways and places to look for our birds and other wildlife.

Something for everyone
The Sanctuary team have been working hard to develop facilities, tracks and interpretation sites for all visitors. Recent projects are Birdsong Gully where visitors can tune their ears to the sounds of our birds, and new binoculars on the top dam so you can get up close to our Roto Mahanga Wetland birds.

Join new members
Remember, your membership contributes so much to the development of the Sanctuary. Join as many new members as you can. As more funds become available through membership fees, tickets sales, donations and sponsors, the more conservation and restoration work can be carried out.

Visit often, have fun - and watch the Sanctuary wonders unfold.