Zealandia Day Tour, Small Group

Overview

This is a two hour guided walk through Zealandia Te Mara a Tane, a wildlife sanctuary at 53 Waiapu Road in Karori, Wellington. A professional guide leads a group of no more than 12 people along the sanctuary tracks, pointing out native birds, reptiles and plants while explaining the restoration project behind the valley. Reviewers regularly describe guides who are knowledgeable about the birds, plants, animals and the history of the sanctuary, and several mention how much their enthusiasm added to the walk.

The route follows well trimmed paths through dense bush, and reviewers of mixed fitness levels call the walking easy, with tree cover overhead for much of the way. Sightings vary, but birds, lizards and tuatara all appear in traveller accounts. The ticket includes general admission on the day of the tour and the day after, so it is possible to stay on or return the following day to explore independently.

Children are welcome with an adult, and the meeting point is the Zealandia entrance on Waiapu Road, reached by turning left after the Karori Tunnel and following the road to its end.

Itinerary

1. Meet at ZealandiaArrive at the Visitors Centre at 53 Waiapu Road, Karori, 15 minutes before the tour start time. Turn left after the Karori Tunnel and follow Waiapu Road to the end.
2. Guided sanctuary walkA 2 hour walk through Zealandia Te Mara a Tane with a professional guide. Admission is included, and the track loop finishes back at the meeting point.
3. Explore on your ownThe ticket covers general admission on the day of the tour and the day after, so travellers can stay on or return the next day to walk the valley independently.

Common Questions