Guided Forest Tour of Sanctuary Mountain

Your guided tour will depart from the Sanctuary Mountain® Maungatautari visitor centre. Here your guide will intoduce you to the project and you will have the opportunity to see how our multi-species predator-proof fence keeps pests away.

Your group will gather to hear the history of the project before entering Te Tūī a Tāne - the southern enclosure of the forest. As you make your way along the paths of the sanctuary's ancient, vibrant, pest-free forest your guide will share stories of the 'maunga' mountain, along with their intimate knowledge of it's fauna and native wildlife, including many of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered insects, birds and fish.

Further into the forest you can climb the lookout tower which is a 16m high platform in the tree tops. Here you can view the forest from the upper canopy and listen to the sounds of the forest and marvel at it's biodiversity. You may have an opprtunity to meet our resident kaka, New Zealand's native parrot. These cheeky characters like to get up close.

From here you may choose to make your own way out of the forest, or stroll back with your guide, to the visitor centre where you can use the facilities, relax and take in the view. Here you will find informative displays and information about other guided tours and events at Sanctuary Mountain®. You can also purchase refreshments and souvenirs, with all proceeds going towards conservation projects on the 'maunga' mountain.