Secrets of the Tautari Wetlands Tour

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, 2 Feb we are offering 50% off ticketed prices over the long weekend (5-7Feb) with the promocode: WETLANDDAY50.

Nestled in the valley below the visitor centre is the Tautari Wetland, protected by both a QEII covenant and our pest-proof fence. This picturesque wetland habitat is a safe haven to a growing population of tuatara and a family of takahē

One of our knowledgeable guides will take you through the tuatarium in search of the well-camouflaged tuatara as they bask near the entrances to their burrows. Tuatara are the sole surviving members of an ancient group of reptiles found only in New Zealand. Learn about their unique characteristics and journey to Maungatautari. Encountering a tuatara for the first time can transport you to a pre-historic world!

Observe the endearing takahē , a New Zealand conservation icon. Thought to be lost forever, takahē made history when they were rediscovered in the remote mountains of Fiordland in 1948. This large, flightless bird helped shape the future of conservation techniques in New Zealand.

By booking on this tour, your contribution helps Sanctuary Mountain® Maungatautari contribute to the Department of Conservation's takahē recovery programme.

**Please note this tour has seasonal availability and restrictions:

Viewing of tuatara is reliant on seasonal temperature variations and, like us, they prefer to be tucked up inside their burrows during the winter months of June- August.
Viewing of takahē may be restricted during their breeding season Oct - Jan.
This tour includes a complimentary Sanctuary Explorer Pass.

*Please note the Sanctuary Explorer Pass can only be used during daylight hours on the day of it's issue.

Please check in at least 10 minutes prior to your tour at Manu Tīoriori visitor centre, where a vaccine pass and face covering is required (unless medically exempt). Children under 12 years will not be required to present a pass or wear a face covering.

This tour is 75-80 minutes long. Please allow 10-15 minutes to walk to and from the wetland enclosure.