Orokonui Ecosanctuary

“We were lucky enough to visit the Eco sanctuary on a drive north from Dunedin to Oamaru. It has been a very wet start to the day but thankfully the weather broke giving us the chance to visit. The sanctuary provides a predator free area for native birds to thrive in. There are many walks through the centre providing so many chances to get close to the birds. The walks vary in difficulty and duration. We had a couple of hours which gave us the chance to see many varieties and enjoy their interaction. It would have been good to have had the whole day to explore more. The cafe is great with good food and a huge glass frontage looking out over the sanctuary. My only regret was not having more time there :)”

“I only had 1h 30 mins here and it was totally worth it! I’ve visited a few sanctuaries around NZ now, and this one was probably my favourite! The Takahe family were my personal highlight, my aim was just to see them, and they were hanging around their area! Got to hang out with them for 20 minutes on my own as the sanctuary was so quiet. Kaka at the feeding stations, a few friendly South Island robins following me, eastern rosella far away, Kererū in the trees, bell birds high up, and lots of Tui! Definitely recommend even if you only have a couple of hours. There’s trails that take about 45 mins and you’ll hopefully see lots of birds!”

“This place was a highlight of our trip. We came here early on and saw a huge range of the birds and lizards who lived there. The Tahake were a personal favourite. Cheeky parrots, fantails, tree creepers and some amazing scenery really made it special. Topped off with a good gift shop and cafe to finish off the walk. Just wonderful. Ample parking was helpful.”

“A well-managed set of trails wind through this lush preserve, with options for all fitness levels. Feeders interspersed along the path give opportunities to see the birds up close. The visitor centre and cafe is a beautiful building too!”