Reviews of Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka. (Travel Agency) in Dunedin (Otago).

Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka

813 Reviews

362 Comments

Travel Agency

Wildlife refuge

Tourist attraction

Wildlife and safari park

600 Blueskin Road, Dunedin 9081, New Zealand

Description

Information of Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka, Travel Agency in Dunedin (Otago)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka

Popular times

Monday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka

E. S.

Really friendly and helpful staff, very cheerful to tell you information and get you sorted. Ecosanctuary part is really well mapped and signposted, great names and trails to get you around everywhere. A great walk for anyone, plenty of tree shelter if it is too sunny or a little rainy. Birds are friendly and will come up close to you as you watch them eat/drink.

C.

Excellent area to see and hear the wildlife of New Zealand in a predator free environment. Good range of walks for different fitness levels and not long at all. Good parking and a nice cafe also.

F. L.

Wonderful walk around native bush and wildlife. Easy to get close up with some of New Zealand's most beautiful birds, reptiles, and flora. The paths are very easy to walk, and there's a 2 hour round trip mini-hike for the more adventurous. Plenty of bird feeders situated around the reserve, making it very easy to catch a great snap of your favourite birds. Managed to see Takahe, Tui, Kaka, Korimako, Otago Skink, South Island Robin, Fantail, and Riflemen.

B. &. K.

Third visit to the ecosanctuary. Nice and easy nature walk, gets slightly challenging if you are wanting to see the eucalyptus tree. We were able to see most birds that day and a curious robin kept trailing us along the way 😂 Also saw an Eastern Rosella 🦜 how lucky 🤩

S. D.

Absolutely enjoyed every minute . If you love the great outdoors , scenery and NZ"s contribution to saving some of our rarest wild life put on your walking shoes it's truly an experience . We took a tour with one of the fantastic enthusiastic guides who pointed out and in some cases coaxed out the wildlife for us to see. He shared NZ history of plants and wildlife and what they are doing in their part to save it for future generations . The walks can get a little hilly but there are shorter ones no need to take the 2 .5 hr ones , suitable foot wear is advised. Cafe is great , views fantastic and only a short trip from Dunedin . Totally something for all the family to do , and who knows you might be one of the lucky ones to see one of their kiwis ....

A.

I totally recommend visiting this place... Saw wonderful creatures, had an enjoyable walk, and supported an amazing resource all at the same time.

K. A.

A haven or birdsong. Plentiful Tui, playful Kaka, and a family of Takahe playing hide and seek by the footpath. Found a flush of enoki and left them on the tree for all to enjoy.

J. B.

What a lovely peaceful walk, the bird life was amazing it was a real privilege to sit and watch the Takahe and their 2 beautiful chick's. My Grandchildren loved the Kaka and Tui's its not a difficult walk. Highly recommend for a family day out.

J. S.

Absolutely loved. Went with a school group. Amazing people full of knowledge. Native birds were great to watch. Found geckos and learnt about spiders and other native species. Got to feed the eels. The walk through the bush was just beautiful. Well worth a trip if visiting Dunedin.

C. C.

I loved the concept even before it was built. What a great place to protect our wildlife. The facilities are great both indoors and out. The cafe serve a variety of food and drinks. You can even hire the facilities for special occasions. The staff and volunteers do a wonderful job looking after the people who visit. Previously I have done a guided tour and I would recommend doing that (I loved it).

B. K.

Loving patches of regenerating bush, some older podocarps, lots of bird life. Just goes to show how much of a difference native vegetation and a solid predator fence can make. Please visit whenever you’re in Dunedin and support any efforts in native planting and predator control.

S. B.

I wish I could see this place in 100 years. Right now, with the feeding stations, you can still see some birds up close up. Last visit I saw a takahē, three kākā (one of New Zealand's three native parrots), a pīwakawaka (fantail) and a korimako. The café doesn't have a great selection of hot food, but the lentil soup was delish.

B. M.

A great place for birds, nice cafe, scenic drive to, and from via Port Chalmers

E. D. (. D.

Weather was bad but the guide kept us entertained and well informed. A fun day for our group, highly recommended.

S. O.

Amazing experience. Excellent value for money. Totally recommend ! Birds are so not threatened by humans that you can get quite close to them. Scenic drive is a bonus as well.

A. B.

What a wonderful day. Though a chilly one the bird life was enthralling. The grandson was totally fascinated with the Takahe, paradise ducks and a flitting fantail. Tui's, bellbirds, a robin and best of all the kaka. Will certainly be going back for more. Thanks to the wonderfully friendly staff and lunch with a view.

S. S.

Called in for a coffee after I lost my bearings in the mist🤔 A beautiful calm cafe to enjoy the view and eat a delicious savoury scone.

J.

Gorgeous setting. Awesome to see so many native animals. The cafe there is great. Especially the tan square.

K.

Ecologically a great place. We saw Takahe,Kaka,Bellbirds, South Island Robin,Keruru.Then we saw Otago Skunks and lucky enough to see a tuatara.Thoroughly recommend this place and all for pension rate of 18 dollars.

L. H.

Awesome experience, the staff are really passionate about their jobs. Nice scenery, a great way to learn about animals and conservation.

P. W.

$20 Price tag is a bit steep for what you get, but if you give it a good hour and a half of your time you should be able to better appreciate what's on offer. Maybe the $50 tour guide would better suit the experience, and the cafe area looks quite nice too. It was a pleasant time despite the cost tho.

A. C.

Love the sanctuary saw so many native birds, would definitely recommend. Tracks are well maintained and easy to navigate. Facilities are good, staff were friendly and helpful.

B. T.

It was nice place to know and protect wildlife. My son enjoyed walking around there.

J. W.

A beautiful place to explore. Discover the natural bird life and bush. Wonderful tall old tree's and small waterfalls. We had great fun looking around a couple of the different tracks. I can't wait to go back and spend some more time in there

K. I.

Incredible, there are so many birds in this eco sanctuary just wandering about, great place to kill a day wandering about looking at all the different birds

D. Y.

If I had to describe this place in one word I would tell you sorry, can't. A few words? Alright, I'll try. Calming. Peaceful. Colorful. Eels. This place has it all, I'm telling you. The birds you will see here are like nothing else you've seen before and the sounds they make cause you to wonder if you've entered a different world. You'll see them while walking through a piece of New Zealand history, a land untouched by humans and home. The fauna relax you and make you take a break from the business that is everyday life. And when you're done you can have a nice coffee at the cafe while overlooking the nature preserve. Definitely recommend checking this place out.

P. N.

Magical place walking through a variety of native bush, with amazing views and many native birds to see.

G. F.

An amazing venue to relax and learn about the wildlife of New Zealand. The visitors center is filled with information and has an amazing cafe with delicious food most of which is hand made and organic. The views from the centre are also stunning. The sanctuary itself is large enough to take a while to explore in its entirety but the short walks available have plenty of birds to see, including Takahae, Riflemen, Robins, and Kaka. I would highly recommend a trip there.

C. S.

Beautiful peaceful and amazing place to walk mindfully and experience nz wildlife and plants and lizards. And enjoy yummy coffee and lunch. Will definitely go back

S. B.

Doing some great work here with these birds! Plus the trails are pretty to walk through, and the skinks are fun to see.

P.

Didn't take paid option but was lucky enough to have had a good weather day and watched around 4 individuals (albatross) flying above their nesting ground

D. M. m.

Amazing place well worth the visit. And the cafe is good too

T. J.

Beautiful! So many Tui. Got up close with some Takahe and even saw a Kaka. The forest walks are easy for young kids who loved all the wee waterfalls along the way. Great experience!

M. B.

An amazing place so close to the city

G. R.

Fantastic for the kids (and adults) to be able to see all the bird life and skunks up close. The eel ponds was a big hit.

T.

Very nice visit. Interesting seeing the birds around feeders. Covid being slightly over Managed but ah oh tick the box

O.

Great. What I imagine NZ would have been like pre-humanity in terms of abundance of wildlife. Particularly love the inquisitive robins.

P. O.

Well worth a day out, the visitor centre building alone is beautiful, with a great cafe and lovely views. The tracks are well marked and the wildlife is a delight. Highly recommended.

P. S.

Scenic drive to an awesome building, good to have a coffee and enjoy view even if you don't go on a walk, which you absolutely should though. Try the vegetation toasted sandwich, it's soo good and crispy. Good to bring kids, indoors and outdoor play area.

P. M.

Excellent birdlife. Nice cafe.

V. T.

Fabulous place to see many of our native birds close up in their natural environment. Go at 11am to see Taheke feeding, and feeding station near viewing platform to see dozens of tui, kaka, bellbirds etc.

Z. C.

Amazing experience the takahe and their chicks were the highlight. Taylor was full of information and very helpful finding the gecko. All the staff were very friendly and accommadating. Would love to revisit. Cheers Billie and Zandra

I. M.

Beautiful native bush experience with amazing native birds, up close and personal, a must Dunedin see

D. M.

An astounding attempt at allowing /providing native wildlife with an open roaming and protected ecosystem. You may see a lot or you may just enjoy a beautiful and peaceful walk through this sanctuary

C.

A good way to see the local fauna and flora. The trails were being refreshed when we were there.

B. R.

Nice place to see birds and take pictures very close to them. I could see lots of Tuis, Belbirds and also the Kaka.

d. r.

Awesome walk around the pathways. Birds visible at the feeders.

H.

Beautiful sanctuary. Visited for business and wasn’t able to linger, but will definitely be back soon! Great spot to have coffee and admire the natural view.

M. N.

We had a wonderful day. Beautiful walks and great welcome - such a treat!

R. B.

Spent over 4 hours here, lots of walks. Pity parents don't ask their children to be silent, scares the birds. Loved the Bird feeders.

J. H.

An awesome walk in the forest seeing native birds. Some walking areas are steep. Has the tallest tree in New Zealand

Y.

Amazing place 2 visit the wild life are beautiful to watch the walks are are so detailed out. A must visit 🌞

P. N.

Awesome walks and wildlife. Take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of this special place

V. B.

We enjoyed the forest walk, our guide was most friendly. We saw many of the birds we hoped to see. On a cold blustery day a coffee by the fire was most welcome!

C. K.

Awesome native environment. Enjoyed looking for the geckos and skinks. Excellent to visit a sanctuary that caters for all ages and wheelchair access. Birdsong and nature, what more could you want to relax. Friendly staff. Definite must do when in the city.

A.

I take photos of birds there all the time, sick as those complaining about not seeing birds are not looking hard enough or talking loudly scaring them all away.

K. G.

Close up look at the bird life great place for a walk

C. H.

A wonderful place to see many nz birds, and amazing native forest. An opportunity to experience something of what Aotearoa forest was like before colonisation. Also a stunning visitors' centre.

A. D.

Absolutely phenomenal place! We only had a couple of hours here, but it was magical to see so much wildlife in such a beautiful location. Highly recommended.

M. G.

The Birdlife is amazing. The highlight for me was seeing Takahe for the first time.

T. M.

Spent substantially more time here than we’d planned and loved every second of it. The grounds are a veritable cornucopia of pulchritudinous flora and fauna, and the staff are warm and very helpful. Great place for anyone of any age to experience some of Aotearoas finest

E. S.

Beautiful scenery, lots of bird feeders around to watch the feathered residents 😊🐦 great coffee and very friendly staff

R. S.

Had an really enjoyable afternoon. Saw lots of native birds I had never seen before. At $20 pp its a must visit. Coffee was also really good in the cafe.

J. W.

Saw Kaka and Takahae along with Tui, Kereru,grey warbler etc great fauna as well. Recommend a visit.

T. C.

Amazing predator-free ecosanctury. Allow plenty of time to visit, numerous tracks throughout bring you up close and personal to lots of birdlife. Kaka, tui, bellbird, robins, and more - such joyful sounds. If you are really lucky you might see kiwi. Best time is morning because the birds are all feeding. And the cafe will be open for a lovely lunch, sourced as locally as they can.

D. M.

Only went to the cafe for Sunday lunch. Excellent environment, great views. Excellent cabinet food. Recommend the Thai pumpkin soup. Great coffee. Locals should visit to help them through.

S. A.

Beautiful place to go for a walk and peaceful

J. W.

So cool! Wish we had more time to spend here, got to see geckos, takahe, kaka and a number of super playful tui. Would definitely recommend to any other lovers of native animals in their natural habitat. Price was well worth!

R.

Spectacular experience. I would recommend taking a nice break by the aviary and watching the birds feed at the bird feeder nearby

S. B.

absolutely loved this place! in the short time we had here we got to see takahē for the first time as well as kaka, cute geckos sunbathing and a number of super playful tui all in their natural state and on their own terms which is always the most special feeling. glad we decided to check it out last minute and will definitely be back and allocate more time to spend here exploring all the different areas and walking tracks

R. S.

I had the extreme pleasure of visiting for a wedding last weekend. stunning views and a beautiful space. and now i know what a Brye is!

T.

Great walk, learnt alot, need to spend a whole day here next time. Only downfall was the poorly made coffee, Was a huge let down for the price.

K. B.

On a completely different side to this wonderful place! We have just celebrated our gorgeous twin grandsons 6th birthday there, what an awesome place for a kids party! The boys got to choose what they wanted to have as their theme, meaning learning about a topic. Sam was amazing with the crew of 6 year olds, they got to have adventures and of course party food time! Consider having your children's parties there, spread the word. Thanks Orokonui Ecosanctuary you are amazing 👍🙂 Karen and Barry

N. W.

Oroknonui Ecosanctuary is amazing. We saw a range of native and rare birds including takahe and kaka. The kaka, were a little shy at first but we saw some by a feeding station before leaving. We didn’t do the tour so unsure what it is like but couldn’t have had a better experience. We spent about 3 hours on the tracks close to the centre, so if you want to do the bigger track ( where they say you can see more kaka) leave some more time. Another bonus is that the cafe is wicked! Highly recommend.

P. J.

Great coffee. Reasonably priced entry fee, many sightings of Tui and goes to a great cause.

R.

Beautiful spot for lunch/coffee. Had great coffees and muffin. Amazing view. Walk through sanctuary also highly recommended.

P. &. L. K.

A must see! We had been putting off visiting the ecosanctuary (can't remember why though) - but we will definitely be back. There was ample parking here. The whole setup was amazing and very well kept. The walks were beautiful, with gorgeous bush surrounding us along the way. The wildlife was incredible.

B. P.

We enjoyed a tasty meal in the cafe which fortified us for our walk around the sanctutary. The bird water spots were a highlight and we saw most of the birds here. Love the environmental/sustainable work being done here and wish the sanctuary all the best for their future endeavours!

W. B.

An eco oasis lovingly created on the hillside, best accessed by turning off SH1 to Waitati and taking the high road which eventually drops down to Port Chalmers. Sadly not too many sightings of native birds, although their song could be heard. Saw a tuatara peeking out at me, looking older than time. Pleased I finally got to visit the sanctuary, as it's only open 3 days a week at present (and was closed on a previous visit to Dunedin). Congratulations to all the people who created this amazing haven for the regeneration of bird, reptile and plant species. Awesome work!

M.

A very good example of our native forest and birds as an ecosystem. VERY knowledgeable guides. Lots of birds; kaka, bellbird, tui plus others. Easy to spend a day there exploring.

J. S.

Excellent walks. Some easy and some harder. Enjoyed the Tui's on the feeders scattered around. Knowledgeable staff available to help.

A. B.

Beautiful place. The feeding stations are great to sit near and watch the different birds eat and drink. Primarily birds, but they have some other animals around. Saw a couple of takahe wandering around which was nice. The pies at their cafe are also very good.

G. W.

Lovely spot with good walking tracks that you can take on in running shoes.

i.

A must do place to visit. Have been Many times before and will be back. Good to see the cafe operating again. Delicious scones!

W.

Awesome!!! And if you are a birder: Incredible! But what they have done here is really fantastic. It has to be seen to be believed. It is a mixture of ecosystems that have been carefully planted and maintained. It is mammal free. There is great parking, a nice restaurant and a great visitor center. Wonderful place for kids and adults. It is 100% community supported. The staff is very passionate with a lot of volunteers. This is a place to see some very rare New Zealand birds that have been exterpated elsewhere. This facility is truly a labor of love and is not to be missed.

A.

You can watch the birds on the feeding trays and listen to their song for hours.

M. S.

Great experience every time we visit the sanctuary. My husband is a photography enthusiast and was able to take beautiful shots of the birds and lizards. I was unable to walk and stayed in the cafe to enjoy their delicious hot drinks while coloring in my book.

D. P.

The food at the cafe was great! The facilities are awesome, a nice warm fire, lots of light, and really eco-conscious. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The trails are well kept and the walks are enjoyable with beautiful views and lots of birds! Make sure you visit a few feeders, we saw a lot of Tui, a Kaka, and a bunch of Bells. I can't recommend this enough!

M. W.

Friendly staff, and plenty of beautiful native birds to photograph in natural surroundings with the freedom of them to come and go as they please. A great treat for photographers and families alike

J. B.

Great place with lots of friendly and curious wildlife. Guides seemed knowledgable and the place seemed nicely maintained. Nice facility and gift shop. Cafe has a nice atmosphere and decent coffee but food options are a bit limited. No 2degrees cell coverage at this time.

S. T.

Nice walk. Seen a few birds. Well maintained. Credit card surcharge.

P. S.

Great place to view native nz birds and reptiles

A. H.

What a wonderful place! The park is filled with Tui, Bellbirds, Kaka and we also saw two Takahe. The food in the café is super delicious too!

C. S.

Huge sanctuary, perfect for a nice walk in the bush. Bird-wise I was a bit disappointed as we only saw tuis and bellbirds, and only around the feeding areas. Expensive for what you see, it's very easy to see these native birds anywhere in NZ, without feeding them. I have seen better by just having a short walk in the bush. It is a nice place and it's great that it's predator-free, but I wouldn't pay again to see the same thing. Maybe go when Sirocco is staying there.

L. D.

We really enjoyed our visit to this great bird and plant park. We took a guided tour with our small tour group. The guide was very knowledgeable and we saw many different types of birds even though the weather was rainy.

R. R.

Passionate people care for native birds and plants. One can spend as much time one has at a minimum cost. Good education and entertainment for kids and adults alike. Weather dependent as it is outdoor activity. Book a tour with a guide to get the best out of time. If you are very short of time, just remember that the guide will leave you at the other end at the end of tour. Allow at least half hour extra to walk back in your tour plan. Don't miss this one.

J. L.

We spent time in the cafe. A beautiful, peaceful environment with native bush in the foreground and panoramic views of the mountain range across the valley in the background. Every aspect of the building reflects the sustainability ethos.

R. E.

Lovely views. Didn't have time for guided tour.but cafe was very nice. Lovely friendly staff. Love to go back and spend more time next visit.

R. G.

Great place ... Takahe wandering about .. great family day out

L. L.

I love this place. If you have time, the best thing to do is to walk all the way down to the bottom. It’s like being in an ancient forest down there, reminiscent of times long gone. Saw a takahe just walking around in nature, beautiful birdsong. But yeah, pack a picnic and if you’re fit, do go down to the lower area. It’s worth it. Such a wonderful spot. Great to see native species and walk In the amazing forests. Saw Kaka, Takahe and lots of other rare birds

J.

Beautiful bird sanctuary, lots and lots of native birds in a bush setting. Really worth a visit.

B. S.

Our family got an annual pass this year, we've taken full advantage of it. My avatar is a shot of the canopy in the mist which is a great time to visit for photos and was as wildlife filled as a fine day visit. A lovely space, an excellent addition to conservation efforts in the South.

K. S.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a wonderful place to go for both visitors and locals. The walks are very manageable, easy to follow and the native bush is beautiful. The birds are easy to spot especially at the feeding stations and they're happy to get quite close to the human onlookers! We really enjoyed our visit there and would definitely recommend it to others.

T. M.

Had a really good time. I recommend going for the guided tour. Our guide Sue was friendly, knowledgeable and very passionate about the sanctuary. It is also worth having a drink or bite to eat at the café. Good quality food with nice vegan and veggie options!

R. C.

Liked that you could see the birds and skinks up close. Didn't get a chance to go down to the aviary, which was probably as well because we were told there were only a couple of birds there at the moment. Really enjoyed watching the tui's feeding and loved seeing the takahe wandering around.

R.

Wonderful place to mingle with the birds (feathered variety). The feeding stations in particular are great places to identify different birdlife and get some good photos. Also loved walking through the bush and seeing the birdlife in their natural surroundings. They also have a number of endangered Otago skinks and tuatara (although it stayed well hidden during my visit). Check out the different birdsongs and displays before you go in and see how many you can identify as you walk around.

V. L.

Excellent walk to the Tallest Tree in NZ. Saw plenty of birdlife and got to see Kaka in the wild. Entry is a little expensive but would recommend to do it at least once - would be good to have a locals price - we'd visit more often!

G. S.

Excellent opportunity to see endemic bird species up close. Loved seeing the Kaka...such intelligent birds! First class facility worthy of support. Glad to see cruise ship passengers can easily visit this sanctuary on shore excursions from Port Chalmers.

A. H.

Great time at Orokonui! We took part in a Takahe Tour. (I can't remember the exact name) Saw the eel in the pond. We were wowed by the tuis & the bellbirds on the feeders. Although a cold day we still enjoyed our wander. Shame the cafe was closed, were going to have lunch there.

S.

Loved it. Beautiful surroundings, beautiful birds and well designed and attractive sanctuary and visitor center. Nice restaurant/cafe too ! Highly recommended. The kakas were the highlight, such charismatic birds, but seeing a takahe was also a dream come true.

J. B.

Lovely walks and nice place for a day off

J.

Maybe we visited at the wrong time of year (spring nesting?) but the variety of birds was rather low. 1 second glimpse of a takahē and lots of tui and bellbirds on the feeders was about it. I was really hoping to be able to see some kaka. The skinks were fun to see and it's a pretty area but the variety was poor for the entrance price. I had been wanting to go for years and was a bit disappointed unfortunately.

A. J.

Awesome bird sanctuary. Amasing indigenous birds in a large hillside sanctuary. Various high quality track's to wander arpund and appreciate the work that goes into it. Has a shop as well as a nice cafe. All sorts of options and really worth supporting.

A.

Absolutely wonderful place and fabulous staff!

A. D.

Absolutley fantastic place to visit lady at desk was helpful with map info etc when we paid. Well worth a visit you could spend all day there loved it!

A. S.

Beautiful hillside hideaway with well-maintained paths. Wander through the sanctuary and enjoy the greenery and serene vistas. Listen for birdsong and bliss out. Very reasonable entrance fee and supports a good cause.

O. H.

Peaceful walk with lovely views and an immense amount of wild bird life around. The whole place has been designed magnificently. Coffee and lunch at the cafe were very good, and all staff were friendly.

G. “. O.

Go in summer! We walked to NZ's tallest tree or whatever. This is about an hour and a half round trip at a quick march, which spent shielded from the sun under a bone-chilling damp canopy. Don't go to see the tree though, the one next to it looks equally tall to the untrained eye. In summer, I bet this is a lovely walk in the woods! On the plus side, we didn't see a soul on the track. The cafe is nice.

M. J.

Beautiful location doing wonderful work. Tahu was our guide for the study abroad group I was part of, and she is an amazing person and guide. Got to learn lots and see more animals than expected.

D. E.

Such a great spot to go on a sunny or rainy day. The bird life if very varied and usually very easy to see, especially at the feeding stations. The birdsong is lovely to listen to, especially when they're in full swing, and if you're lucky the Takahe will come and say hello while you're hanging out looking for the skinks. I'm weirdly attracted to the place on a wet or cold day. I think it's the cafe and log burner in the main building after a cold wet walk that does it :)

P. M.

Stunning native bush and birds. A very special place.

P. G.

Orokonui is an amazing place and it is only the beginning of what is to come! New Zealand needs more places like this. I highly recommend a visit, even short visits on rainy days are fantastic. More than just seeing many endemic birds, reptiles and plants, you will be supporting their life and longevity each time you visit.

D. R.

Amazing multi material architecture reusing shipping containers greets the visitor with information, facilities, coffee and food available for those awaiting guided walks or retiring from the outdoor weather. Volunteers have done a fantastic job of layering plants, utilising some existing bush and expanding it. They’ve created pathways that are interesting and show off the natural scenery. There’s creative sculptures doubling as habitats and my first close encounter with Takahe. The long Guided tour was an exclusive long talk with one of the volunteers whose passion for the sanctuary project and keen interest in Botany and Ferns in particular made for a great narrative and made us feel like we had made a new friend. be sure to book ahead if you’re keen to get the most out of your visit. It’s about 20minutes close to Dunedin by Car but Bus tours run to it also.

J. M.

Superb experience and a unique part of the Dunedin’s eco-tourism route. The longer routes are well advised, if just to walk around with birdsong (and avoid the photography crowd that gathers (and then blocks...) the feeding points)

T. T.

Great facility offering educational presentation of animals and intimate forest walks. We were lucky enough to see two parent takahes with their baby chic, lots of tuis, some kereru, parakeets, and a whole slew of other smaller birds. There's a ~2 km walk to the tallest tree, but I wouldn't recommend it. There's a significant elevation lids (~300m) that you have to make up for in the way back. The tree itself is tall, but similar to the other trees in its surroundings.

M. W.

This is a neat place to go. It's not cheap, and some of the forest is still fairly easily in the regeneration stage, but overall enjoyable. However, I've visited the cafe 3 times and been disappointed 3 times.

S. J.

The Ecosanctuary is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful things to see in New Zealand. The place is well looked after and maintained by lovely people that clearly love what they do. The food and coffee is however, is disappointing.

A.

Dunedin is such a wildlife lover's paradise that between penguins, sea lions, albatross etc it is possible to overlook this gem. To do so is a mistake. I was amazed by the sound and variety of birds, from the rare takahe and friendly South Island robin to the beautiful fantail and multi vocal Tui. My personal favorite, the wood pigeon, can be seen (literally) getting drunk on some of the berries near the entrance. Wish I had time to do all of the tracks. Oh well. Sue was a great guide. Came up short in my quest for a parrot. All the more reason to come again. Predator proof fencing keeps cats and stoats away.

J.

Amazing! A wonderful place to visit the New Zealand birds and Fauna. The 1 hour guided tour is well worth the expense. New Zealand nature at it's finest.

L. P.

Amazing birds and walks. Highlight was the takahe chicks. And being followed by kaka and tui on our walks...

C. S.

Had a great time with the grandkids exploring this wonderful environment and then a nice lunch at the Horopito cafe will definitely be going back sometime

I.

The sanctuary is huge! A wonderful place to go for a hike or stroll. Very beautiful and a great place for bird watching. One of the highlights of my time in NZ!

M.

Lovely walk. Saw many different birds. Good cafe.

M.

Fantastic. We saw lots of tui, a takahe and a pair of kaka feeding in a tree. Plus, the bush was beautiful and the sculptures were attractive.

D. L. G.

Marvellous walk through bush, with bellbird, kaka,Tui, tomtits, and other birds flitting round. Beautiful Visitor Centre with stunning views and good cafe.

R. D.

Thought the $20 was a bit steep for what we actually saw..,a skink, lizard and some ducks. A wander round Larnoch Castle grounds in afternoon for $17.50 made up for it.

J.

Beautiful bird song. Lots of rare and endangered birds and reptiles being protected by an amazing group of volunteers. Lovely cafe with stunning views.

D.

Excellent walks and bird life viewing opportunities, look forward to the Cafe opening again as was always top notch

A. G.

Hands down the best place to see native birds in the wild. Stunning walks and scenery. Kids loved watching the birds at the feeding platforms.

w.

great place to see bird, walking

A.

Love this place. Great chance to see lots of native birds in a beautiful setting

E.

Fantastic place, doing great job improving native flora and fauna

C. M.

Love Orokonui. Beautiful place, amazing birdlife, excellent tracks, great for kids and family outings. The horopito Cafe is excellent and offers vegan options too!

A.

Interesting walking tour and alot of fantastic effort by volunteers to establish this facility. Many birds too be seen. Worth a visit. Suitable for all.

E.

Really cool experience and you learn a lot while your there, would recommend!

K.

Saw and photographed tuis bellbird kaka takahe Robins tomtit. Also saw but didn't get photo eastern rosella and rifle back. We did one hour tour then had lunch in cafe then wondered around on our own spent four hours in total. Was good because you could see birds up close. Also saw tuatara and skinks in their enclosures.

B.

Went to see Sirocco during his three week stay here. Very well organized and fun. Bird song here in the evening is amazing.

S.

Great place to visit. Great Cafe.

I.

Amazing and quiet place. Good job giving a hand to nature. It would me awesome if you had a couple of kiwis in an arficial environment, so visitors can see them, like tuatara's.

R.

Love love this place. So peaceful and full of bird life. Make sure you are there at 11am for the Takahe feed.

W.

Beautiful NZ wild life haven. A must see.

C.

A must do activity if you're around Dunedin!

D.

Worthwhile taking a few hours out of your day to visit. Beautiful, serene full of native bird life. Get back to nature!,

F.

Awesome walks to discover native birds. Need lots of patience for some of them, but still a few may show up and even come to greet you.

L.

Good for walking. Calm and peaceful. But not much things to see ( •́ ̯•̀ ) anyway good for walking in forests. I enjoyed it.

L.

Pest free, fenced sanctuary for nz birds. See a Takahe feeding. Tuatara on a sunny day. Lots of Tui, Kaka and Bell Birds. Has a cafe and children's play area.

C. D.

Wonderful, little patch of paradise. Good food shop and information. Beautiful to wander through the native bush, surrounded by native birds. It's not to be missed .

B.

Nice place to go for a long walk and just take in nature. There are a few feeding stations which make good places to get photos of the birds.

A.

Great place, walked all the tracks, friendly staff. Highly recommend for family walks.

P.

Superb in every respect A must see

S.

Great place to explore, our little man especially loved it!

m. w.

Amazing outlook, may actually do the walk to the tallest tree in nz, about a 4km walk down hill tho

P.

What an awesome initiative, so well executed. Seeing such unique fauna in their natural habitat, uncaged, yet protected, is mind blowing. Takahe rule!!!

A. G.

Great effort to restore the native flora and fauna around this part of blueskin bay. The bush gets more mature as you head down into the valley.

B. C.

Love love this place. Great walking paths with lots of birds! Staff is friendly and helpful.

L. P.

A unique endeavor to protect indigenous wildlife. Fantastic learning centre. Great cafe. On the soon to be added northern scenic route to / from Dunedin.

L.

Nature walks,abundant birdlife so close to Dunedin City. Friendly staff at information centre and Cafe.Great coffee!

M.

i really like to take my photos there i am good photogerapher search mikaeala illingworth photography for my orokanui pics heheheh

N.

Fantastic facilities and a good cafe lead you to a fantastic walk with a last chance to see endangered NZ birds and reptiles in regenerating native forest.

L. M.

Amazing bird song! Fantails, tuis, bellbirds, and robins came right up to us, while kereru and kaka swooped above. Magical experience!

C. G.

Truly enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Got to meet this little fella

J.

Was with the Austin Vintage car Club had coffee and scone, well worth a visit.😅

E.

Love this place. Went early before lots of people and enjoyed the peace and birdsong, was a gorgeous day as well.

D. F.

Well worth the entrance fee. Got close to a takahe, great bush walk, lots of birdlife. Will need to come back.

L.

Best nature reserve I have ever been to. Spotted so many birds. We will visit again!

K. S.

Stunning place to relax and enjoy our native flora and faun. Love this place. 🥰💖

G.

Great food/coffee, scenic location and easy walks.

J.

This place is incredible! Good coffee, stunning views and Takahē!

L.

Beautiful restful place. Ecosantuary let's you wander with NZ nature pest free

M.

Had a most enjoyable day, slow walking the tracks and sitting on the many sits around watching all the birds.

E.

Loved it, absolutely beautiful landscape and wildlife plus some interesting information from the guides 😊

a.

Great family day out!

N.

I visited with my son's school. The grounds were gorgeous and the science communicators were very knowledgeable and great with the kids.

K.

Wonderful eco sanctury, lots of birds great cafe, children's play area . Very scenic, great walks

R.

Amazingly peaceful place with stunning birds and animals. Take a couple of hours minimum and take time to pause and listen to the birds.

K.

What a treasure this is. To see takahe in their natural environment, one come within a metre of me so special. Wonderful bird songs too.

R. H.

Magnificent go see. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and I wished I could have stayed hours longer.

N. F.

Great whole day outdoor activity where you can explore the forest and discover its gorgeous flora and fauna.

C.

A normal park with bird feeders. Prviate park.

S.

Attended a fantastic wedding reception here. Had a great time.

J.

Really interesting day out. Nice to see all the native birds and wildlife. Good walks through the Bush.

P.

Great place to experience nature. Lots of friendly birds to see.

S.

Really I nice place to go for the day and have a nice walk and see some amazing birds

C.

Brillant everyone should vosit

A.

It was nice doing the walks in the ecosanctuary. Got to see quite a few different and unique birds including the takahe

D. H.

Stunning view from the top. Peaceful, easy walking tracks with awesome birdlife viewing opportunities.

D. B.

Excellent facility. Look forward to a kiwi house in the future perhaps.

R.

This was a wonderful place and we very much enjoyed the trails, the birds, and especially the takahe!

N.

Great easy walk with lots of beautiful native birds

K.

Excellent facilty well worth a visit.

E.

For the birds...real dedication from this team and investors to create this idyllic experience in a natural environment. Thank you!

R.

Brilliant! The best part was seeing a kiwi! Will definitely be back.

M.

Kids friendly place wildlife

S.

Lovely relaxing place to dine. Great staff. Great service.

B.

Stunning eco sanctuary. Staff and volunteers passionate and so knowledgeable. A real asset and achievement.

A.

Took the kids for a walk.Saw tuatara, skunks, takahe and many more birds. Great!

I.

Incredible special place, not to be missed.

J.

Truley amazing display of NZ birds and reptiles, I can't wait to get a good dslr camera and go again to capture some of it.

P. K.

A fantastic place to see different birds. Well worth the visit.

P.

Absolutely great place to visit and spend the day seeking out rare birds !!

D. B.

A great place to bring the family!

T.

Fantastic . . . Getting better every time I visit . . .

V.

The bird song in a native habitat is fantastic. Well worth supporting

L.

Such a beautiful venue with amazing views 😍

2.

Supply kids meals and don't surcharge on holidays . everything else all good

C.

Great spot. Beautiful sanctuary with many birds and lovely flora.

C. J. L.

Friendly staff with coffee shop , nice trails to walk and lot of birds

B.

Such wonderful sounds of birds as you walk the tracks.

K.

Great place to spot Kakas and Tuis in their natural habitat

m.

Saw a kiwi uce, he was gassing it as they are SO FAST

E. C.

Very impressive, a lot of thought put into the design. A good gift shop and modest cafe.

R.

Orokanui Eco sanctuary. Nice place for a walk on a warm day or coffee and cake when its cold. Coffee 5/10.

E.

Our first visit, and definitely not our last. Some great close-up sightings.

T.

Absolutely beautiful surroundings. The staff were wonderful. We will be back

A.

Beautiful location and fantastic views and plentiful bird songs.

J.

Gorgeous birds and native forest. Saw takahe up close which was very exciting.

A.

Loved it!!! Even though it was clouded over and a bit drizzly, it was definitely still worth the trip!

t.

Awesome lovee this place such a good day out

L.

Went on the first Dusk/Night tour last night. Was brilliant. Recommended

L.

Lovely place. Wonderful seeing so much birdlife

K.

Very beautiful and well looked after also sounds amazing when it’s bird singing thyme

D. B.

Lovely with the birds calling. Was a bit disappointed not that many birds to see in Sept I went.

E. M.

Amazing what they've accomplished for restoring the native species. The vollenteer guide was very knowledgeable and informative.

J.

Great place .good cafe.good work being done for the future of NZ wildlife

B.

Quiet, excellent walk through bush, signs to follow. A little escape into the unknown.

B. M.

Must go back and finish exploring. It was anazing .Tahu and her team were just wonderful thank you!!

W.

Great place to see New Zealand and Australia native birds

S.

Great place to visit. If you haven't been yet, go now.

G.

Awesome wildlife experience with some challenging walking tracks.

M.

Great lunch lovely tracks nice sanctuary for birds

N. L.

Nice setup. Beautiful bush walks, even when it's nearly snowing.

M.

Birds, well, views, forest and more. All tucked behind a predator-proof fence. Inspiring.

B.

Amazing place

K. T.

Cool as

A.

Love it, great place for New Zealand Wildlife before humans

S.

A lovely spot with a beautiful drive not far from Dunedin's CBD.

B.

Beautiful bushland reserve, wonderful bird life!

A.

Excellent cafe! And fascinating to read about the location, and the history of the area

N. P.

Saw plenty of bellbirds, tui, kākā, in a really nice environment.

R.

Amazing place to see new zealand wildlife in the wild

R. d. L.

Put it on your must do list, leave about 2 -3 hours.

M.

Amazing little gem. Loads of walks and really well organised

J.

Love this beautiful place of healing!

I.

Fantastic. Worth visiting for a truly unique nz experience

M.

So beautiful! World class!

A.

Amazing venue for a wedding

r.

Brilliant. Great native bush. Rare animals. Peace. Education.

T.

Friendly staff, excellent food in cafe, amazing surroundings

M.

Excellent. Amazing wildlife

R.

Watching the birds up close is amazing.

F.

Could spend all day there. Nature at its finest

G.

Great shop and cafe with good access for me on crutches

M.

A great place to spend a day with nature.

R.

Awesome place. Can't wait to go again

R.

Such a beautiful and relaxing place

f.

see pukeko but fat mmhmm very good recommend

H.

Didn't go in will visit another time, had car problems as I had to be elsewhere

D.

The best visit ever. Tuis, & Bellbirds everywhere.

D.

Beautiful location. David was a great guide!

S.

Great native bird life up close.

L.

"Talk to nature here." But more importantly, listen.

J.

Lovely staff and amazing ecosanctuary.

G. J.

We went to visit Soroco. It was an awesome experience.

B. W.

awesome place, well set up - worth going

D.

Lovely informative bird sanctuary.

E.

If one likes nature it is worthy to visit.

K.

Great place. Didn't realize the size.

a.

Nice view tables weren't very clean

A.

Really nice place with a really good purpose

A.

My first visit, just amazing.

N.

Very pleased to get a photo of the South Island Robin.

M.

Fantastic day out and worth every penny

H.

so good for the kids very informative

S.

Very nice day out with a pinic lunch with the gandkids

J.

Wonderful regenerating Bush filled with birdsong.

B.

Amazing bird sanctuary!

E.

Nice bushwalk with a lot of birds seen

T.

Excellent work, got to see 2 takahe with chicks

M.

Spectacular facilities, doing most worthy work

J.

Just arrived late in the afternoon. Had tea in the cafe.

e.

great food.views.log burner.excellent music.

S.

So many awesome native birds

P.

Never lets us down little bit of fitness required.

A.

❤

Q.

Native birds are everywhere! Happy hunting

C.

Great walk and awesome facility

K.

Great place. Good cafe.

J.

Most enjoyable will be back to show others

S.

Great place for travelers and locals

N.

Peaceful beautiful place, thank you

H.

great ethos. lovely walk

M.

If you want/need to connect to nature, this is the placeto be

P.

Just fantastic really cool great plave

N.

Amazing staff and great experience!

Z.

Cost not worth the outcome just go for a bush walk

S.

Fantastic place. Great staff.

K.

Amazing birdlife, beautiful setting.

G.

Great coffee and food!

T. N.

Very enjoyable time

S.

Relaxing walk in native forest environment.

T.

Beautiful walking tracks

A.

An amazing place to visit and have a look at ..

R.

Loves this place Rachel

B.

Lots of amazing birdlife.

S.

Abit of peace just out of the city

C.

Top notch

G.

A beautiful backdrop to our Village

D.

Very cool

B.

Well worth the trip out

L.

Wow!

D.

Awsome a must see

N.

Great experience a must to visit

N.

Awesome sanctuary.

A.

The most beautiful place

D.

Enjoyed the Takahe

M.

Wonderful spot.

M.

Great a treasure

B.

Great to visit again

M.

Nature!

P.

Fabulous place!

D.

Great natural experience

S.

Gorgeous

S.

Beautiful!!!

M.

good

갈.

Added my recommendation

M.

Nice

A.

Awesome

m.

Love this place!

T.

Unprecedented excellence.

m.

It was amazing

M.

A great day out

I.

Amazing place.

C.

Peace and tranquility

P.

Peaceful setting

j.

A Top spot !

A.

Beautiful nature

J.

Beautiful!

C.

Great place

S.

Great place

R.

Magic place

B.

Exceptional

J.

FANTASTIC!!!!!

U. S.

Nice people and great view. We also met some elderly visitors glad to share knowledge of birds at the Viewing Platform. I would like to have a running river but the weather is not right. It's great.

W.

Still one of the best places to see NZs conservation work in action.

G.

(Translated) Beautiful environment, easy to see many species of native fauna and flora (Original) Splendido ambiente, facile vedere molte specie di fauna e flora autoctonr

王.

(Translated) The birds are very close to each other and are easy to observe; the trails are very primitive and natural, and the well-equipped facilities such as classrooms, shops, restaurants, water treatment facilities, and children's play corners are great natural centers. There is a school for outdoor teaching, and the teaching of teachers is also very interesting. (Original) 鳥很親人 ，很容易觀察 ;步道很原始自然也很好走 ;有完善的設施 ，如教室、賣店、餐廳、水處理設施、兒童遊戲角 ，是很棒的自然中心 。有提供學校戶外教學 ，教師的教學也親切有趣 。

H.

(Translated) Wonderful! Great for seeing New Zealand's tuatara, skink and birds. The trails are well marked and easily accessible (Original) Maravilhoso! Ótimo para ver tuatara, skink e aves da Nova Zelândia. As trilhas são bem demarcadas e de fácil acesso

J.

(Translated) So many bell birds, tui, robin skeletons, cakes and more (Original) So many bell birds, tui, takahe robin, kaka and more

A.

F.

(Translated) Saw a baby, a baby, AND a baby tui !!!! 😁 (Original) Saw a takahe, kaka, AND a baby tui!!!!😁

e.

O.

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