Reconnect With Nature
Haere Mai | Welcome
Just minutes from Nelson, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced wildlife sanctuary for endangered plants and animals in the South Island. Abundant with native species that both delight and surprise, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the beauty of New Zealand native bush, breathe deeply, and truly appreciate our sense of place and mauri (life force).
Home to iconic species like the kiwi, tuatara, and kākāriki, the Sanctuary offers self-guided exploration across 15km of walking tracks, as well as guided day and night tours. Don’t miss one of the South Island’s top attractions and your chance to hear (or maybe see) a kiwi in its natural habitat.
Lots to see and do
Nestled in Nelson’s Brook Valley, the Sanctuary spans 690 hectares of protected native bush, surrounded by 14.3 kilometres of pest-proof fencing. This predator-free environment enables the safe return of some of Aotearoa’s most endangered species.
The Sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the South Island and the second largest in the country; it is the only sanctuary to feature primarily mature New Zealand beech forest.
- 15km of walking tracks
- 45-minute easy loop walk with waterfalls, sculpture trail, picnic spots and more
- Guided day and night tours
- Home to kiwi, tuatara, the largest population of kākāriki karaka & many other endangered species
- Just 5km from Nelson City Centre
Find out more about our walks, facilities and what you can do at the Sanctuary here.
What’s happening at the Sanctuary?
Translocations, new chicks, competitions, children’s activities, corporate events – there’s always something new happening at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
What’s here?
Meet some of our amazing residents and our incredible flora
Choose your trail
Which trail will you take today? Choose from short, medium and long day walks. Explore some of the best walks in Nelson and immerse yourself in the Sanctuary for a day.
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🔊 You’ll usually hear kākā before you spot them.
That scratchy, excited call from the canopy is often your first clue.
Listen for the harsh, rhythmic “ka-aa” as they fly above the forest canopy, or a sharp, grating “kraak” if they’re disturbed. They also have a range of loud, musical whistles that can vary from place to place.
Then look up for a large, olive-brown parrot cutting between trunks and branches, often quicker than your eyes can track.
How to spot them:
🌳Movement: a chunky forest parrot shape, often climbing and clambering rather than perching still
🐦Watch for colour in flight: a warm red-orange flush under the wings when they take off
🍂Check the ground: “falling fragments” like chewed seed pods, shredded bark, and nibbled plant pieces can mean a kākā has been feeding above you
Save this for your next walk, and tag someone who always hears birds but never sees them.
All six kākā were bred and raised at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary as part of the South Island Kākā Captive Breeding Programme.
Kākā are unique to Aotearoa and nationally vulnerable, with populations heavily impacted by introduced predators. Releasing them into a pest-free sanctuary with ideal habitat, including old-growth beech forest, gives them the best chance to thrive.
This translocation was carried out in partnership with @ngatiapakiterato,@natureland_wildlife_trust @world_parrot_trust @docgovtnz
📷 Photo: Nancy Holden
#WelcomingKākā #kākā #theSanctuary #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #nativebirds #conservationnz #nelsonnz #tetauihu #ngahere
Jun 19
Rotomairewhenua (aka. Red-band kākā) was in a very sneaky mood. Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
Jun 19
🍄 LAST FUNGI TOUR OF THE SEASON 🍄
This is your final chance to join a guided Fungi Tour at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
Wander through the ngahere and discover the incredible diversity of fungi thriving beneath the forest canopy. Learn how these fascinating organisms support the health of the forest ecosystem and uncover some of the sanctuary`s most unique species along the way.
📅 Saturday 13 June, 10:30am (2-hour tour)
Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, curious minds, and anyone wanting to connect more deeply with Aotearoa`s native environment.
✨ Spaces are limited – book now and step into the hidden world beneath the forest floor.
📷 Photo credit: Rebecca Bowater & Steff Kuenstle
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #FungiTour #FungiNZ #NatureNZ #ExploreNZ #NativeForest #Ngahere #Conservation #NatureLovers #HawkesBay #Aotearoa
Jun 10
🌙✨ Explore the Sanctuary After Dark and Grab a 20% discount this June! ✨🌙
Experience the magic of the Sanctuary at night with our guided night tours. Discover luminous glow worms, immerse yourself in the sounds of the nocturnal forest, and keep your ears open for the distinctive call of a kiwi. Along the way, learn about the conservation efforts helping to protect and restore our native wildlife and habitats.
Enjoy 20% off all guided night tours!
🎟️ Enjoy 20% off "A Night in the Forest" guided night tour bookings throughout June 2026
📅 Valid for new bookings only
🌿 Every booking helps support the Sanctuary and its conservation efforts
Use promo code 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝟐𝟎 when booking - link in Bio
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and join us for an unforgettable evening in nature.
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NightTour #Conservation #NelsonNZ #WildlifeExperience #JuneSpecial #NatureAtNight
Jun 9
Caption this kākā! 👇
We`ll start... 👀 "Excuse me... is there any more food in there?"
Recently captured by @chrisbernard1520
@nelsontasmannz
#Kākā #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NativeWildlife #ConservationSuccess #NelsonNZ #BirdPhotography
Jun 8
𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 🍃
Gather at The Beech Glade classroom, within the beautiful Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, for a gentle and grounding hour of guided meditation in nature this Sunday, 14th June - 9:00am–10:00am.
This session weaves together simple seated and walking practices designed to help focus and quieten the mind, supporting a deeper experience of presence and awareness. Surrounded by the sounds and stillness of the natural world, you’ll be invited to slow down, reconnect, and come home to Presence.
🌳 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Sunday, 14th June - 9:00am–10:00am
💦 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: Meet at The Glade (please arrive 15 mins early to allow time to walk in)
🔥 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐚: $5–$10 donation, paid in cash directly to meditation teacher
🍃 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Not required, just turn up to the session.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠:
➡️Something comfortable to sit on such as a cushion or folded blanket (There are some plastic chairs and wooden benches available. If you wish to sit on the floor you may wish to bring a yoga mat as well)
➡️A blanket to keep warm
➡️Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲:
🌳Sanctuary Members: Free of charge as per annual membership
🌳Non-Sanctuary Members: Early-bird special of $10 per adult (This provides an opportunity for guests/visitors to explore after the session)
All are welcome—whether you’re new to meditation or have an established practice.
@kalyan_yoga_nz @nelsontasmannz
#brookwaimāramasanctuary #nature_lovers #meditation #ngahere #nelson
Jun 7
