WAIKATO: WAIPA

Sanctuary Mountain is an ecological island created around Maungatautari Mountain and provides the opportunity to see established native forest and regenerating flora and fauna.

Maungatautari Mountain is covered with native forest that was never milled. While introduced predators, like rats and stoats, have decimated our native birds and insects, they are now recovering thanks to the far-sighted actions of the local farmers working in partnership with the district council and local Iwi to build and maintain a predator proof fence around the perimeter of the mountain. 

The visitor centre at the end of Tari Rd provides a variety of guided tours, or you can pay a small entrance fee and explore the various tracks yourself.

We booked in for Ancient Forest guided tour, and thoroughlly enjoyed our 2 hour walk through the forest. Having a knowlegable makes a huge difference to how much you actually see while walking around.

Our guide was also responsible for Kaka feeding, which was a great experience for the children present.

Self-contained motor caravanners are welcome to park overnight in the carpark. This is an especially good option if you're temped to get up at daybreak and walk through the forest to the sound of the dawn chorus - which is gradually returning thanks to the predator proof fence.