1.5 hour guided tour
Tours are available on request throughout Autumn and Winter. To request a tour, select your chosen date and join the waitlist.
Got a question about tours for yourself or your group? Contact tours@orokonui.nz
The 1.5 hour guided tour leads visitors through the sanctuary’s grasslands, regenerating bush, and ancient cloud forest with a focus on identifying native species throughout the sanctuary and sharing our vital work returning them to Otago’s east coast. This tour is the perfect introduction to our incredible local biodiversity, and the always-changing world of conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tours leave at 10:30am and can accommodate up to 10 people. Tour prices includes day entry to the sanctuary, so you can continue exploring further after your guided walk.
The 1.5 hour route starts in the Visitor Centre and is a mostly flat journey over variable terrain including packed gravel, grass, and dirt tracks. Some small inclines and declines, as well as rocks and tree roots are present at points along the route. Find more detailed track information here.
Accommodations or modifications to the tour route are possible with advanced notice. This tour can be made wheelchair accessible, please let us know ahead of time so we can ensure the highest quality experience for you.
Good sturdy footwear, warm clothes and a waterproof layer are highly recommended throughout the year.
Specialty tours such as night walks, or expert tours/workshops operate seasonally. Check here or subscribe to our Birdcall newsletter to get notified of specialty tours.
To ensure availability we encourage visitors to book tours in advance or contact our team to check availability.
Cancellations must be received and confirmed by Orokonui Ecosanctuary staff with 24 hours notice or a cancellation fee will apply. Guided tours will proceed rain or shine, Orokonui Ecosanctuary reserves the right to cancel due to unsafe weather conditions. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a 20-30 minute drive from Dunedin City.
Please ensure you allow yourself enough travel time.
You can find directions on our Contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I see on tour?
The Orokonui kaupapa is “wildlife on wildlife’s terms”. You will be walking through a wild environment, with the possibility of seeing native wildlife at any point during the walk. This means we can’t predict which species you’ll encounter, but joining a guided tour is the best way to improve opportunities for seeing and learning about the species here.
Animal species commonly in the grasslands include Otago skinks, moko kākāriki, tuatara and takahē
Forest bird species often seen on the one hour tour include kōkō/tūī, kōparapara/bellbirds, kākā, as well as smaller manu such as pīpīpī/brown creeper and kakaruai/South Island robins.
Joining the two hour tour will increase your time in the cloud forest as well as opportunities to see other bird species. For a full list of species living in the Orokonui valley including plants and fungi, see our Wildlife page.
What should I bring with me?
You’ll be walking through a range of wild habitats including open exposed areas in a valley often covered in mist and clouds. A warm layer, a waterproof layer, good walking shoes, sun protection and a drink bottle are recommended.
For health and safety we recommend all visitors have at least one cellphone per group.
Are guided tours suitable for tamariki/children?
The 1.5 hour tour is easy going and suitable for most visitors including tamariki/children and infants. The tour ends in the cloud forest, at the viewing platform, only about 500m away from the Visitor Centre.
Please use your discretion when booking younger tamariki (under 10 years old) on longer specialty tours, as these often cover more unpredictable terrain throughout the valley. Visitors on longer special tours can expect to walk at least another 30 minutes to return to the Visitor Centre on the shortest route.
We recommend taking your child’s energy, fitness, and attention into consideration when booking any tour.
Looking to visit with a class or school group? Get in touch with our education team to book a trip to Orokonui.
Are tours suitable for a range of mobility needs?
The 1.5 hour tour suits a range of mobilities and visitors with mobility aids. It runs from the Visitor Centre (down the VC ramp), over the grasslands (small incline then flat pasture terrain), then over the Kākā track (wheelchair friendly- a wide and completely flat gravel track approximately 500m distance). There are benches roughly every 100m on the Kākā track.
Longer specialty tours (such as night walks) often cover steep sections as well as narrow paths and steps. These tours are not always wheelchair friendly, and are not usually recommended to those with limited mobility or injuries unless discussed in advance.
Can you run modified tours or tours with accommodations for accessibility?
We can run tours with accommodations, or modify guided walks with advanced notice. To help us support your visit as best as possible, please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or accommodations ahead of your tour.
Can I keep exploring the sanctuary after the tour?
Āe, yes you can! All guided tours include day entry to the sanctuary, which means you can continue your walk at the conclusion of the tour.
With day entry visitors are also welcome to come and go from the sanctuary until closing (4:30pm), so you can also head back to the Visitor Centre for a break or a refresh at Horopito cafe before you continue your adventure.
It’s raining or the weather seems bad on the day of my tour, will the tour be cancelled?
The top of the Orokonui valley sits 300m above sea level and is regularly covered in sea fog and low cloud. This allows our ancient cloud forest to thrive but it also means mist and light rain is common when visiting the sanctuary.
Tours operate in almost all weather conditions. If we have to cancel due to extreme conditions, all touring visitors will be contacted on the day using contact details supplied in booking.
Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the tour. Cancellations made after this period will be subject to a cancellation fee.
Unsure about the weather on the day of your visit? Check out the live valley and kākā cams, or give us a call at 03 4821755 for a weather report direct from the Visitor Centre.
I want to see x species- will I definitely be able to see it if I join a tour?
Our guides are trained and highly experienced in finding and identifying the species living at Orokonui. The daily 1.5 hour tour is a great way to improve your chances of locating or spotting particular species during your visit.
While we can’t guarantee any sightings 100%, we’re happy to advise the best seasons or visiting times to increase your chances for observing certain species or events (e.g. flowering or fruiting periods for plants). Please let us know if you have certain species on your must-see list, so we can advise on the possibility of seeing these species during your visit.
Public guided tours cater to the entire group of visitors and their collective points of interest. If you are visiting Orokonui with visiting a very specific goal species in mind (e.g. a particular bird, reptile, or plant), and want a dedicated guide to help achieve this goal, consider booking a private tour instead.
Contact tours@orokonui.nz