Visit and Experience our Maunga

Welcome to an ancient world where our native forest towers majestically above you. Listen as the air is filled with birdsong. Breathe the life force of the ngahere (forest) that surrounds you. Enjoy a variety of well-maintained hikes and bush walks around our eco-sanctuary, take a guided walking tour or a nature walk and discover why Aotearoa/New Zealand's largest predator fenced eco-sanctuary is nationally cherished and internationally recognised.

Watch the Video! Meet a Takahē

Experiences

Step through the pest-proof gate into another world where our ancient native forest towers majestically above well-maintained walking tracks.

Hiking Trails

We have a variety of different walks, the most popular is the Southern Enclosure and Tautari Wetlands, both of which are accessible from our visitors centre.

Book a tour

To get the best experience book a guided tour. Guides will give you a deeper appreciation of the sanctuary, it's history and it's future.

Cafe

We have a small on-site cafe that sells hot and cold drinks, cookies (ones that the Cookie Monster would love!), ice creams and other snacks.

FAQs

Interested in our education programme? Questions about lunch options at our Maunga? Find out the answer to the most frequently asked questions!

Gallery

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is all about its native environment and inhabitants! Have a look at some of our birdlife and spot a takahe during your visit!

What our visitors say

Thank you all for an awesome educational experience last week. The tamariki were stoked, as were we all. We look forward to visiting again in the future.

Te Wharekura o te Kaokaoroa o Patetere

Impressive Magical Inexpensive

Gerhard Markus Beckmann

All the educators were great. We loved their enthusiasm and patience. Thanks for a wonderful visit. One teacher said it was the most educational trip she has ever been on. Maybe we need to visit again and look at another part of the sanctuary.

Tirau School

We had the most wonderful experience at Sanctuary Mountain, I even managed to spot a beautiful Saddleback! Highly recommend.

Martha Rowbotham

Wow wow wow ... I am ashamed to say this was my first visit here. Our company held a 'Bush Boardroom' Strategic Planning day with Nature and Nosh's lovely Kylie hosting us. The walk in transcended any expectation I may have held. The forestry was close to prehistoric and is...

Nikki Close

I loved going here. It's a little piece of calm. Staff are welcoming and helpful.

Carlos

Saw kaka, robin, saddleback, fantail and other birds. There was bird activity even though it was raining. I love the 'jurassic park' style forest, 500yr+ old trees and informative signs. The viewing tower is great. I think if you stay up there long enough you will always see something....

Elise Cooper

Just wow! Absolutely wonderful! We recently did the Ancient Forest Tour and The Tautari Wetland tour. Just incredible. We highly recommend this experience, cannot rate it enough. We will be back. We even got to see Tuatara, Kākā and Takahē.

Tasman Travels, Aotearoa New Zealand

The educators were very easy to listen to and very knowledgeable. They spoke to the children and at their level. They also interacted with the adults too. The props used to get the message across was great. This made a great visual learning experience. Staff just couldn't stop talking about...

Tirau School

Such an asset to the region, stunning flora and birdlife.

Derek Devoy, Matamata, New Zealand

The Southern Enclosure Tower

The incredible Southern Enclosure is waiting for you

Is it a sign that you need to visit?