Bushy Park Sanctuary
Bushy Park Sanctuary
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- Notable Tours NZWellington, New Zealand48 contributionsSpend at least half the day here.Twice now we have brought a coach load of seniors to this wonderful place. They will do a wonderful lunch for 40-odd, and the manager, Dale, will give a fascinating address outlining the heritage of this iconic homestead and property. Spend half a day either before or after lunch, to stroll through the pristine native bush. Service and catering are brilliant.Visited October 2023Travelled on businessWritten 15 November 2023
- Sunshine421078001142 contributionsPeaceful getawayBeautiful homestead well looked after, surrounded by peaceful forest. Walking tracks are well signposted and suitable for all ages. The accommodation is delightful and a welcome change from standard hotel/motel. Our host, Dale, cooks a delicious evening meal and, if you want it, a cooked breakfast. We heard and saw native birds both on our walks and near the homestead. Highly recommended.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 February 2024
- GillJezzAberystwyth, United Kingdom540 contributionsA bit of paradise6 of us stayed here for two nights and, personally, I could have stayed another night or two. We walked every inch of the trails in the full day we spent here and I could have done it a couple more times. The forest and the wet area were magical and the birdlife beautiful. To just sit and watch and listen for an hour or two was completely absorbing, I loved it. The house is gorgeous with five guest bedrooms (there is bunk dormitory accommodation too) which are immaculate and the day rooms are stunning. Its great to sit out on the front deck too. The food is good, straightforward fare all fresh and served up hot to the table. If you have dietary requirements, just let them know when you book and they will sort it. I'm not normally a dessert eater, but I loved what they prepared here...they were really special! I didn't find it a problem but the rooms are not en suite. There are male and female bathrooms down the corridor with 2 showers and 2 w.c's in each. All immaculate of course. I believe there are plans afoot to change this, but I would imagine that its going to be tricky in such a beautiful building which has so much character. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
56 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
John L
Cambridge, New Zealand220 contributions
Oct 2020
This was one really out of the bag. Fantastic sums up my feelings. Its much, much more than a beautiful walk through NZ native bush, it felt as though we had gone back in time such was the tranquility and calm that we felt. Of course the highlight were the regular sightings of the Black Robin, Stich birds and the Saddleback, none of which i had ever seen in the wild before- watching them was a stunning experience and seeing them almost put the regal NZ native pigeon , of which there were many, into the ho-hum category.
I would thoroughly recommend visited the park to anyone who appreciates the beauty and wonders of nature.
Incidentally, a visit to the homestead and having their devonshire tea and coffee is also highly recommended
I would thoroughly recommend visited the park to anyone who appreciates the beauty and wonders of nature.
Incidentally, a visit to the homestead and having their devonshire tea and coffee is also highly recommended
Written 11 October 2020
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.
RocheMaree
Hawera, New Zealand552 contributions
Jan 2021
Short drive off the main road and totally worth it. We paid a gold coin for a peak inside the beautiful house at its parlors and BnB rooms.
Also did a 30min loop walk to see the giant Rata tree on one of the grounds many walkways and tramping tracks you can roam.
The paths are well groomed and the bush and birdlife are just fantastic in this predator free sanctuary. I have never seen so many palm trees in the New Zealand Bush and the red winged saddleback birds scouting the undergrowth sounded like a pack of monkeys calling to each other. As for the giant Rata...it was truly impressive.
The grounds are free to enter and park in but please leave a donation in the boxes provided to help fund this beautiful sanctuary.
Also did a 30min loop walk to see the giant Rata tree on one of the grounds many walkways and tramping tracks you can roam.
The paths are well groomed and the bush and birdlife are just fantastic in this predator free sanctuary. I have never seen so many palm trees in the New Zealand Bush and the red winged saddleback birds scouting the undergrowth sounded like a pack of monkeys calling to each other. As for the giant Rata...it was truly impressive.
The grounds are free to enter and park in but please leave a donation in the boxes provided to help fund this beautiful sanctuary.
Written 21 January 2021
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.
Kurt
Calgary, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2020
Our family (5) with younger children visited Bushy Park in early January 2020. We were on an extended trip to NZ and this was unexpected highlight. Our host, Dale was excellent and our family enjoyed the authentic homestead plus tasty meal and breakfast. The sanctuary and interpretive center were very good, low key and we liked the slice of NZ history and hospitality.
Written 21 January 2020
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.
Notable Tours NZ
Wellington, New Zealand48 contributions
Oct 2023 • Business
Twice now we have brought a coach load of seniors to this wonderful place. They will do a wonderful lunch for 40-odd, and the manager, Dale, will give a fascinating address outlining the heritage of this iconic homestead and property. Spend half a day either before or after lunch, to stroll through the pristine native bush. Service and catering are brilliant.
Written 15 November 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.
GillJezz
Aberystwyth, UK540 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
6 of us stayed here for two nights and, personally, I could have stayed another night or two. We walked every inch of the trails in the full day we spent here and I could have done it a couple more times. The forest and the wet area were magical and the birdlife beautiful. To just sit and watch and listen for an hour or two was completely absorbing, I loved it.
The house is gorgeous with five guest bedrooms (there is bunk dormitory accommodation too) which are immaculate and the day rooms are stunning. Its great to sit out on the front deck too.
The food is good, straightforward fare all fresh and served up hot to the table. If you have dietary requirements, just let them know when you book and they will sort it. I'm not normally a dessert eater, but I loved what they prepared here...they were really special!
I didn't find it a problem but the rooms are not en suite. There are male and female bathrooms down the corridor with 2 showers and 2 w.c's in each. All immaculate of course.
I believe there are plans afoot to change this, but I would imagine that its going to be tricky in such a beautiful building which has so much character.
Treat yourself, you won't regret it.
The house is gorgeous with five guest bedrooms (there is bunk dormitory accommodation too) which are immaculate and the day rooms are stunning. Its great to sit out on the front deck too.
The food is good, straightforward fare all fresh and served up hot to the table. If you have dietary requirements, just let them know when you book and they will sort it. I'm not normally a dessert eater, but I loved what they prepared here...they were really special!
I didn't find it a problem but the rooms are not en suite. There are male and female bathrooms down the corridor with 2 showers and 2 w.c's in each. All immaculate of course.
I believe there are plans afoot to change this, but I would imagine that its going to be tricky in such a beautiful building which has so much character.
Treat yourself, you won't regret it.
Written 18 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.
sherylynnk
Whanganui, New Zealand67 contributions
Apr 2019
We found Bushy Park completely by accident and what a find it was. We were all feeling a bit peckish so the home-made scones and toasties were a complete hit. We washed it all down with some lovely bubbles. Really beautiful, peaceful and so worth going to.
Written 19 February 2020
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.
Julie M
Wellington, New Zealand811 contributions
Feb 2020
Tranquil, extraordinarily beautiful verdant green bush setting in a stunning location. Glorious views. Manicured garden and lawn. Devonshire morning tea was delcious. Light scones with lashings of jam and cream, strong hot coffee, enjoyed on the deck overlooking the hills and green pastures. We wandered along bush pathways enjoying the flora and birdlife. Limited time meant we had to leave without total exploration. We shall return with a group of friends for a very special outing together.
Written 15 June 2020
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.
hotrodgurl
Waipukurau, New Zealand506 contributions
Feb 2022
So amazing! Many saddlebacks feeding their babies, saw the rare Hihi (stitchbird) here, actually a few at a feeding station and the little Robins hopped around our feet. Many Kereru's too. The forest was spectacular, felt like I was back in time. Would love to go again.
Written 8 February 2022
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.
Sharon Brinsdon
5 contributions
Oct 2021
An extraordinary combination of stately home and bird-filled bush. The routines, hospitality and ambience of the house all evoke another era. This is a really enjoyable experience but give yourself as much time as possible to wander the sanctuary tracks.
Written 15 November 2021
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.
annmaries722
Auckland Central, New Zealand12 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
What a lovely place! We walked in the bush and saw so many birds, and then looked at the amazing house, and had a quite delicious Devonshire tea in a beautiful room. Dale did a great job, and shared so much about the house and the people who had lived there. He was friendly and knowledgeable, provided all we needed - and the scones! Delicious. Would happily go again and next time stay the night in one of the rooms. We were able to look at several of them and they were very pretty and authentic to the house.
Written 7 June 2020
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.
Is the sanctuary open for visitors at the moment?
Written 30 May 2020
The internet suggests they are temporarily closed but cant see when this was last up dated may be best to phone bushy park 063429879 (fabulous place worth a visit)
Written 31 May 2020
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