Reviews, get directions and contact details for Orokonui Ecosanctuary
About
our cafe is situated in the hills overlooking the beautiful waitati valley
In the cold winter day we have the fire blazing so your stay is cozy and warm,
"Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a 307 hectare fenced wildlife sanctuary that contains some of Aoteaora New Zealand's rarest wildlife. The best place in the lower South Island to see takahē, kākā, tuatara and more. The visitor centre also has a café where you can stop for a delicious coffee after your walk."
Really friendly and helpful staff, very cheerful to tell you information and get you sorted. Ecosanctuary part is really well mapped and signposted, great names and trails to get you around everywhere. A great walk for anyone, plenty of tree shelter if it is too sunny or a little rainy. Birds are friendly and will come up close to you as you watch them eat/drink.
My family went without knowing much about the place since we had some time. The receptionist was full of knowledge, gave us information about local flora, fauna and culture, and didn't try to upsell any aspect of the place - letting us know that the "tallest tree in New Zealand" was "just a tall, skinny eucalyptus." They had wheelchair accessible toilets, rental chairs 2 I could see and one wheelchair accessible path with many different inaccessible paths off of it. Lots of informative signage about the birds, what's in season, and their sustainability efforts. Near the entrance they've got a few enclosures of local reptiles that if you're lucky you might spot a few but otherwise signs explaining the animal it's significance. I look forward to coming back and seeing a new section every time!
Excellent area to see and hear the wildlife of New Zealand in a predator free environment. Good range of walks for different fitness levels and not long at all. Good parking and a nice cafe also.
Wonderful walk around native bush and wildlife. Easy to get close up with some of New Zealand's most beautiful birds, reptiles, and flora. The paths are very easy to walk, and there's a 2 hour round trip mini-hike for the more adventurous. Plenty of bird feeders situated around the reserve, making it very easy to catch a great snap of your favourite birds. Managed to see Takahe, Tui, Kaka, Korimako, Otago Skink, South Island Robin, Fantail, and Riflemen.
An amazing place. Well worth the visit. Walking paths for all ages and abilities. Ever time I have been I have seen a variety of birds. Staff super friendly and helpful. Cafe serves great food.
Very nice walks and great variety of birds to go see. Worth signing up for an annual pass! Good cafe too.
Third visit to the ecosanctuary. Nice and easy nature walk, gets slightly challenging if you are wanting to see the eucalyptus tree. We were able to see most birds that day and a curious robin kept trailing us along the way Also saw an Eastern Rosella how lucky
It's always a pleasure to visit this place and watching different birds and native plants... far away from the hustle and bustle of town.
Seriously excellent place for staff end of year or anytime staff function. A tour with the amazing tour guide Tahu and a catered lunch with a set menu - staff left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated
Love this place even though we have to view it on a rainy day! Just wear a good and non-slip walking shoes, prepare for a long walk into a forest park. There are many man made feeding places for the birds where you could quietly wait for the birds to appear. We have seen and listened to different birds flying around and even mating sounds made by them. It's really interesting, definitely worth a visit when you are in Dunedin.