Day Pass into the Sanctuary
Explore Te Tui a Tane (Southern Enclosure) at your own pace. Call into the Manu Tioriori visitor centre (99 Tari Road) to collect your pass, guide and map. Book a guided tour and your Sanctuary Explorer Day Pass is included!
Explore Te Tui a Tane - The Southern Enclosure
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the forest and marvel at the incredible biodiversity along more than 5 km of wide, metalled walking tracks. Our sanctuary is accessible to most visitors (including all-terrain pushchairs - please phone us for details) and features plenty of seats for resting, some conveniently located near nectar feeding stations where hihi (stitchbird) and korimako (bellbird) often visit.
Take your time. You might even be greeted by a friendly pitoitoi (North Island robin) saying kia ora (hello)!
As you explore with your visitor guide and map, keep an eye out for the interpretation panels dotted along the tracks. Don't miss the clearing, where you may spot one of our cheeky kaka (New Zealand forest parrot), and experience a bird's-eye view from our 16-metre-high observation tower - a true walk on the wild side!
Rata track
Continue exploring the Rata track - 2.2km. Allow 1 and a half hours. Medium fitness. If you only have time for one walk, we suggest this one. Head up to the 16m observation tower to experience the forest canopy and spend time in the clearing where kaka might visit.
Rata track loop
From there, continue on the Rata track loop - experience a more open forest with wider tracks, suitable for families and groups. Visit the koura pond. How many can you spot? Are any kokopu swimming underneath the overhanging vegetation today?
Wharepaku (toilet)
There is one toilet located on the Rata track loop, just down from the crossroads junction with the Rimu track, near the event centre.
Nikau track
Return from the tower, via the Nikau Track - 700m. Allow 20-30 minutes. Medium fitness. There are a couple of slightly steeper sections along this track. New Zealand's only native palm, the Nikau abounds on this scenic track.
Rimu track
Explore the Rimu track - 2km. Allow 1 hr. Medium fitness. This track takes you alongside a stream into the tranquil interior of the enclosure. This track is recommended for bird sightings amongst some of the most magnificent native trees. Listen for the wingbeat of Kereru, the constant chatter of Popokotea (Whiteheads) in the treetops and the unmistakable voice of the Tieke (North Island Saddleback).
Your Sanctuary Explorer Pass is valid for 6 months from purchase date and can only be used during daylight hours on the day it is redeemed. It can be collected/or bought on the day from reception at Manu Tioriori Visitor Centre.
- Opening hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. Closed 25th December (Christmas Day).
- Directional signs and maps located at track junctions
- Interpretation panels and plant identification signs along the tracks
- 16m observation tower to experience the forest canopy
- Seats around the enclosure to rest or quietly observe and take in your surroundings.
- Book yourself on one of our Guided Tours and this Sanctuary Explorer Day Pass is included!
- Standard booking terms and conditions apply.
Thank you! Every booking supports our vital conservation work, helping protect rare and endangered species on the maunga.
What our visitors say
We were a group of 8, Sue was our guide. Would so recommend having Sue to guide. We would not have noticed or learnt anything by ourselves, noticed birds and plants with understanding the importance of sanctuary. Will be bringing the grandies next.
Helen Bingham
1 / 10
The team are still absolutely buzzing about their time at Maungatautari! We all learnt SO much — about Rongoa, about the forest and how different plants can heal our ailments — but also how the forest as a whole can heal our inner-selves too. Everybody took something of great value...
Huka Honey Hive, Taupo
2 / 10
I wanted to email you and tell you how literally amazing our day was and that we were absolutely blown away by the whole experience. You and your team are fantastic. All of the parents who attended raved about the whole day.
Ohaupo School
3 / 10
A truly spectacular day for me thank you, and trust me I've done some really cool things before but this was right up there. The passion, the pride, the service beyond self and the truly intergenerational and transformational work you and the team have done and are doing is inspirational...
Simon
4 / 10
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Because one THANK YOU is not enough! We felt very honoured and privileged to witness the health check and transfer process of two kiwi yesterday. To be so close to our iconic bird was very surreal for many of our team. Many photos were taken and I'm sure...
Nicola Greenwell
5 / 10
I'm honestly still smiling after my afternoon on the maunga yesterday, so I had to write and thank you SO MUCH. The team is doing extraordinary work with the whole sanctuary, and to see the kiwi team, volunteers, dogs, it was absolutely amazing. It was very moving to see the kiwi close up....
Katy Scoullar
6 / 10
I've hiked many, many forests around New Zealand, but this one hits differently. You just know you're in as native of an NZ forest as it can get, thanks to the predator-proof fence that takes a lot of work and money to maintain. The forest is alive with the beautiful songs of many...
Meggie Tran
7 / 10
A beautiful and peaceful place.
Tony Nicholls
8 / 10
My wife and I live in Miami and visited Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari during a trip to New Zealand a month ago. Our guide was Jenny. We were very impressed with her sincerity as well as your organization and the success of your work.
Anonymous, Miami, USA
9 / 10
If you want to see New Zealand's nocturnal animals, go here. Of course, there are day tours as well as night tours. I went on a night tour and it was great. I was happy to see glow worms, go up to the observatory, and see many stars in the night sky! This is not a zoo, but a conservation...
HyoJin Yang (YY)
10 / 10
Experience our Maunga
Other Experiences

Kiwi ExperienceDiscover the magic of New Zealand's national icon. FROM $120.00 per person

Ancient Forest Guided TourJoin one of our guides on a gently graded walking track! FROM $72.00 per adult

Sanctuary Mountain Snapshot TourThe perfect snapshot tour introducing you to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. FROM $50.00 per adult

Secrets of the Tautari WetlandOne of our knowledgeable guides will take you through our wetland. FROM $68.50 per adult

Annual Explorer Pass MembershipEnjoy access to Te Tui a Tane Southern Enclosure for an entire year! FROM $70.00 per adult

Rongoa rakau - an introduction to Maori herbal medicineJoin one of our knowledgeable and engaging local rongoa practitioners! FROM $72.00 per adult

The Moa Hunter TourExplore Maori bush lore with the Moa Hunter - a sensory forest journey. FROM $100.00 per person

Private Guided TourA guided tour tailored for you! FROM $143.50 per person (45 min)

Sanctuary Mountain at Night (Private Tour)Join us in exploring the magical night-time world! FROM $369.50 per group of 1-4 people

Living Connections Team ExperienceTake time away from work demands and immerse the team in nature. FROM $105.00 per person
What our visitors say
We were a group of 8, Sue was our guide. Would so recommend having Sue to guide. We would not have noticed or learnt anything by ourselves, noticed birds and plants with understanding the importance of sanctuary. Will be bringing the grandies next.
Helen Bingham
1 / 10
The team are still absolutely buzzing about their time at Maungatautari! We all learnt SO much — about Rongoa, about the forest and how different plants can heal our ailments — but also how the forest as a whole can heal our inner-selves too. Everybody took something of great value...
Huka Honey Hive, Taupo
2 / 10
I wanted to email you and tell you how literally amazing our day was and that we were absolutely blown away by the whole experience. You and your team are fantastic. All of the parents who attended raved about the whole day.
Ohaupo School
3 / 10
A truly spectacular day for me thank you, and trust me I've done some really cool things before but this was right up there. The passion, the pride, the service beyond self and the truly intergenerational and transformational work you and the team have done and are doing is inspirational...
Simon
4 / 10
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Because one THANK YOU is not enough! We felt very honoured and privileged to witness the health check and transfer process of two kiwi yesterday. To be so close to our iconic bird was very surreal for many of our team. Many photos were taken and I'm sure...
Nicola Greenwell
5 / 10
I'm honestly still smiling after my afternoon on the maunga yesterday, so I had to write and thank you SO MUCH. The team is doing extraordinary work with the whole sanctuary, and to see the kiwi team, volunteers, dogs, it was absolutely amazing. It was very moving to see the kiwi close up....
Katy Scoullar
6 / 10
I've hiked many, many forests around New Zealand, but this one hits differently. You just know you're in as native of an NZ forest as it can get, thanks to the predator-proof fence that takes a lot of work and money to maintain. The forest is alive with the beautiful songs of many...
Meggie Tran
7 / 10
A beautiful and peaceful place.
Tony Nicholls
8 / 10
My wife and I live in Miami and visited Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari during a trip to New Zealand a month ago. Our guide was Jenny. We were very impressed with her sincerity as well as your organization and the success of your work.
Anonymous, Miami, USA
9 / 10
If you want to see New Zealand's nocturnal animals, go here. Of course, there are day tours as well as night tours. I went on a night tour and it was great. I was happy to see glow worms, go up to the observatory, and see many stars in the night sky! This is not a zoo, but a conservation...
HyoJin Yang (YY)
10 / 10
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