Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
4.5
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Our 307 hectare ecosanctuary is the only area of native forest in mainland South Island where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests. It is home to some of New Zealand's most fascinating and rare forest wildlife such as Takahē, Kākā, Tūī, Kererū, Tuatara and much more. Our visitor's centre is home to a lovely cafeteria serving classic Kiwi food and coffee roasted on site. Sit by our large fireplace as you enjoy your meal! We are also proud to host weddings both within the ecosanctuary and the visitor's centre! Please get in touch if you are planning your special day!
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
384 reviews
Excellent
300
Very good
65
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
1
j j
sydney30 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very special place. We saw Takahe and chick, so lucky. This is for people who want to see special/ rare nature. The cafe was pretty special too small but really good and very welcome on a wet day.
Written 9 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca R
NZ8 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
One of the best places to visit in Dunedin. Its an absolute must for families. I was in awe of seeing a live tuatara and takahe. Staff were super friendly and just always an absolute pleasure to go here. Our kids are 5 and 9 and LOVED running around the paths, viewing all the amazing wildlife and making the most of mother nature at her finest.
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie M
Sechelt, Canada430 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
If you love nature and birds, and enjoy being surrounded by the tranquility of nature, then this is a place to visit. To walk the quiet pathways, listen to the bird songs, have opportunity to photograph the birds, and to be enveloped within the trees makes this a must do stop.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blincs
Auckland, New Zealand149 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
As a nature photographer I wanted to spend an afternoon at Orokonui so I could connect with nature and photograph some of the birds there. I wasn't disappointed and was able to photograph a few species that I hadn't seen or photographed before.
Positioning myself near a bird feeder was a good idea and another nature photographer/colleague gave me some excellent tips on how best to capture the birds, before they jumped on the feeder.
As well as photographing the birds, there's plenty of flora and nature plants to photograph as well, and as you walk around the sanctuary, you're getting some good exercise too.
A fabulous place to visit either on your own, with friends, family and school groups enjoy it as well.
Positioning myself near a bird feeder was a good idea and another nature photographer/colleague gave me some excellent tips on how best to capture the birds, before they jumped on the feeder.
As well as photographing the birds, there's plenty of flora and nature plants to photograph as well, and as you walk around the sanctuary, you're getting some good exercise too.
A fabulous place to visit either on your own, with friends, family and school groups enjoy it as well.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma W
1 contribution
Apr 2023
I love this place, and it keeps getting better every year as the predator-free populations continue to grow. On our most recent visit, we saw many birds - kaka, bellbirds, tui, robins, takahe. As we were driving out of the carpark, we saw what looked like a kakariki flying overhead, which was exciting.
The reptiles are my favourites, though - the majestic tuatara and the lovely grand and Otago skinks. So special to see them up close. I have only seen a jewelled gecko once at Orokonui, which was a real treat. It wasn't to be repeated on this occasion - perhaps next time.
The bush walks are great and birds will come close, especially when you're near the feeding stations.
Children are usually free with a paying adult during school holidays.
The gift shop is small but I was very pleased with my purchases - a quality stainless steel water bottle and an excellent book on NZ reptiles.
The reptiles are my favourites, though - the majestic tuatara and the lovely grand and Otago skinks. So special to see them up close. I have only seen a jewelled gecko once at Orokonui, which was a real treat. It wasn't to be repeated on this occasion - perhaps next time.
The bush walks are great and birds will come close, especially when you're near the feeding stations.
Children are usually free with a paying adult during school holidays.
The gift shop is small but I was very pleased with my purchases - a quality stainless steel water bottle and an excellent book on NZ reptiles.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr Jones
Christchurch17 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Really cool place to stop. Lovely bush walks, well maintained tracks and great seeing how well the birds are cared for.
Staff super friendly. It was school holidays and children had a discounted entry so I was amazed by the attention and generosity of the staff towards the kids.
The quality of food was a real surprise. There is obviously someone very skilled running that kitchen. A great last adventure if your leaving Dunedin and heading north out of town. Good to take the Port Chalmers road out of town, stop here and avoid the big hill.
Will be back!
Staff super friendly. It was school holidays and children had a discounted entry so I was amazed by the attention and generosity of the staff towards the kids.
The quality of food was a real surprise. There is obviously someone very skilled running that kitchen. A great last adventure if your leaving Dunedin and heading north out of town. Good to take the Port Chalmers road out of town, stop here and avoid the big hill.
Will be back!
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice C
Austin, TX60 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Beautifully groomed trails in thick forests . Heard a lot of birds but saw only a few. Very nice facility.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stella Duncan
Dumfries, UK19 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
It was amazing to see so many native birds of New Zealand. We did the walk to the highest tree in new Zealand, it is quite steep on the way back up. I'd definitely recommend if you have time in Dunedin.
Written 14 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mydnyght
Perth, Australia94 contributions
Jan 2023
There was a good variety in the degree of fitness needed, but for a short afternoon and someone with a sore ankle there was a nice reasonable length walk to see the various lizards and also a wide variety of birdlife.
The feeding stations made perfect spots to stop and watch the squabbling tui and kakas for a bit. Walking through the bush was so reminiscent of my childhood camping on the West Coast, the bush was lush and the smell was amazing.
We stopped and had a bite to eat in the cafe afterwards, the service was good and the food came out fast and was good portion sizes.
The feeding stations made perfect spots to stop and watch the squabbling tui and kakas for a bit. Walking through the bush was so reminiscent of my childhood camping on the West Coast, the bush was lush and the smell was amazing.
We stopped and had a bite to eat in the cafe afterwards, the service was good and the food came out fast and was good portion sizes.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annO475RU
Vic, Australia11 contributions
Jan 2023
My husband and I spent several hours visiting this sanctuary in early January 2023. We were able to see Takahe, definitely the highlight for me, as well as Kaka, and skinks, to name just a few.
We enjoyed a very refreshing walk in the NZ bush, so different to the dry Box/Ironbark forests near where we live in Australia.
Had great coffee and a delicious savoury scone in the cafe and purchased a delightfully illustrated children’s book from the shop.
Would definitely love to return to this sanctuary in the future.
We enjoyed a very refreshing walk in the NZ bush, so different to the dry Box/Ironbark forests near where we live in Australia.
Had great coffee and a delicious savoury scone in the cafe and purchased a delightfully illustrated children’s book from the shop.
Would definitely love to return to this sanctuary in the future.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the cost per adult?
How strenuous are the trails?
How long on average to do the trail?
Is there a rest area.
Restaurant?
Orokonui
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hi there, I'm so sorry I missed your questions! The answers given by the lovely people below are accurate however. Cost is $20 per adult, $10 per child, under 5 year olds are free. There is a 10% discount for seniors, students and community services card holders.
The tracks range from easy to a little harder.. the main two tracks take between 30min to 1 hour to complete and another track to NZ's tallest tree takes 2 hours return. There are seats throughout the ecosanctuary for you to take a break.
We have a cafe selling meals and coffee and you're more than welcome to bring a picnic but please don't feed the birds! Thanks again, Alice
Kathie R
Dunedin, New Zealand13 contributions
Is it worth doing the guided tour?
Kejak70
Dunedin, New Zealand12 contributions
Dear Janine
Please forgive my tardiness in getting back to you , somehow this has slipped through the emails. I hope that you haven't been and gone and we didn't get the chance to advise you on how valuable a guided tour is. You get so much more out of the experience and you will find every visit to the bush/forest afterwards is never the same. A whole world is open to you .Please let me know if you come again and we will arrange something special.
Apologies once agin Kerry
VSIN
Sydney, Australia57 contributions
How easy it is to spot a penguin there and during what time of the day
Kejak70
Dunedin, New Zealand12 contributions
Hello there
Unfortunately we don't have penguins .. you will need to check out Penguin Place or the little blue penguins at Tairoa Head .. evening is best for penguins .. however we do have Takehe with a new chick as well as fen birds,kaka,Tui, robins, bellbirds our beautiful forest is alive with bird life ... not to mention our tuatara and skinks .. come and check out the best view in town ..happy new year
The OROKONUI team
sez79_79
Queanbeyan, Australia22 contributions
i'd like to know how i can get there as we are arriving in Dunedin by cruise ship in the next couple of weeks and would like to know how to get from Port Chalmers.
Kejak70
Dunedin, New Zealand12 contributions
Hello there Ses
I have answered this email twice now however it doesn't seem to have been posted ?
Anyway there is two ways of getting to Orokonui
Contact the local i-site (Visitor Centre) or preferably
let us know what ship what day you arrive and we will collect you and return you to the ship or city whatever suits..We have a host of volunteers/staff/who can collect you from the Port. I am also happy to assist if required.look forward to hearing from you. travel safe..Regards
margaret986
Sydney, Australia58 contributions
can you get there by public transport or only a tour.
sez79_79
Queanbeyan, Australia22 contributions
hi margaret, i basically asked the same question so here's what they said:
Hello there Ses
I have answered this email twice now however it doesn't seem to have been posted ?
Anyway there is two ways of getting to Orokonui
Contact the local i-site (Visitor Centre) or preferably
let us know what ship what day you arrive and we will collect you and return you to the ship or city whatever suits..We have a host of volunteers/staff/who can collect you from the Port. I am also happy to assist if required.look forward to hearing from you. travel safe..Regards
Hi Mike W, can you please tell me what day and time you visited Orokonui Ecosantuary? I have visited Orokonui many times and have never experienced this kind of thing.
it is open thru the week?
Kiaora
Yes! At the moment we are open every day from 9:30am until 4:30pm.
We look forward to seeing you soon
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Claim your listingŌROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
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