Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
4.5
Full view
About
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced haven for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island. Close to Nelson city but hidden away, you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of New Zealand native bush, breathe deeply and engage. There are a number of tracks to explore using a map from the Visitor Centre or utilising the information panels as you come across them. The easiest is the Loop Track which is a charming easy walk of some 45 minutes and accessible for push chairs, wheel chairs and mobility scooters. An extension loop is not quite so well developed but takes visitors further into the beautiful central valley floor or up the ridges. A variety of other tracks that are a little more challenging – some with river crossings and steep terrain – weave throughout the Sanctuary, suitable for different fitness levels. Every visit helps us with our conservation cause - come and experience the hidden valleys of Waimarama.
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Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
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4.5
77 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
11
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Natarsha L
Nelson, New Zealand1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
Erwin provided us a 2hour guided tour of the sanctuary up to the Forks crossing. We saw many Bellbirds, Tui, Kereru, Piwakawaka, Weta and heard a Grey Warbler. Erwin identified trees, shrubs and orchids, telling us what was poisonous or edible and what was attractive for the different birds or insects. We checked tracking boxes and learnt about the pest control and ongoing development of the sanctuary. Erwin was an amazing and very knowledgeable guide - definitely recommend this experience for locals and tourists.
Written 25 September 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.
chanelledurand1982
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
We thoroughly enjoyed the glow worm tour on the 09 September 2023 with Sherilee and Anne as our tour guides. It was a wonderful experience to share as a family. Sherilee was very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable and fun! I would highly recommend the tour and the Brook Sanctuary! We live in Nelson and are very lucky to have the Brook Sanctuary right on our doorstep!
Written 19 September 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.
AnitaAndRemi
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
My three year old and I visit the Brook Sanctuary regularly as it is such a peaceful spot to wander and take a breath. There's plenty of bird life to find, and we love the weta hotels! It's also a great place for little ones to learn about conservation, with predator traps and the predator fence in plain sight. The lower loop track is an easy walk for my active son, with lots of opportunities on the way to snack by the river or explore the beautiful bush. Highly recommend!
Written 29 August 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.
beachvillejan
1 contribution
Aug 2023
A unique attraction, in a beautiful setting,being a night time visit it was wonderful to not only see the Glow Worms but to enjoy a clear view of the night sky
Written 13 August 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.
timst0nier
Nelson, New Zealand1 contribution
Jun 2023
Ru and co took us for a night tour of the track so that we could see the Glow Worms, and it was spectacular! If you have seen Glow Worms before, don't for a minute think that they are all the same.
The sheer amount of them was just epic. And the Sanctuary team did an excellent job of guiding and explaining as we went through.
Worth going along and seeing for yourself.
The sheer amount of them was just epic. And the Sanctuary team did an excellent job of guiding and explaining as we went through.
Worth going along and seeing for yourself.
Written 26 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.
Kris9992023
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
The Brook Sanctuary are doing some outstanding work, creating an ecological sanctuary, keeping with the times, while protecting and creating a world that dates back in time. Well worth a visit and definitely worth while to see the glowworms, magical for all ages.
Written 20 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.
Tracy Jane Neal
Nelson, New Zealand45 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Sancturies are important for one's soul; not only for what they offer as an experience but for boosting one's hope for humanity. The Brook sanctuary is testament to the utter dedication and dreams of a determined view, for the enjoyment of thousands. This small corner of Nelson (it's quite large if you walk it) is a holy grail of humanity and conservation. A day walk with a picnic, among the trees, the birds and the weta is a soul-soother; but a night walk to see the glow worms is pure magic.
Written 19 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.
Nomad45723442779
2 contributions
Jun 2023
On a dark crisp winters evening I had the wonderful experience of being shown the glow worms at the Brook sanctuary. I am a regular visitor but this was quite special.. Peter and Nick guided us around the track explaining their precious work saving at risk species. Glow worms were everywhere meeting the dark star lit night. Just wonderful ..Highly recommended
Written 18 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.
Samila C
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
We did the night time glow worm tour. Absolutely loved it. Guides were knowledgable, and going in the night was a sensory delight. The smells of beach tree, the sound of the babbling brook and complete silence other wise. The glow worms were beautiful and it was hard to tell where the sky started and ended with the amount of stars and glow worms so clear. Highly recommend and my 5yo loved it, all though I did put her on my shoulders towards the end as she was tired.
Written 16 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.
mras90
Milton68 contributions
Nov 2022
A visit to this sanctuary was not planned but we are so glad we went there. The walkways have been constructed to maximise your experience in the forest. Interpretative signs give information flora and fauna.
The sanctuary is beautiful and close to central Nelson.
The sanctuary is beautiful and close to central Nelson.
Written 17 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.
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