Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

View on map
99 Tari Road, Pukeatua, Te Awamutu
Hours of operation
Visitor Centre: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Phone number
+64 7 870 5180
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (Maungatautari Ecological Island Reserve) is the largest ecological ‘island’ on mainland New Zealand. A haven for native wildlife and plants such as kiwi, kokako (wattlebird), tuatara and more, Maungatautari also provides great walking and hiking tracks.

Southern Enclosure

The Southern Enclosure’s five walks vary from 30 minutes to two hours and provides some of the best bird watching opportunities on the mountain. The Southern Enclosure features a bird feeding area where visitors can watch the kaka and other birds as they come to feed, weta boxes (open the door to see if anyone is home) and the Canopy Tower which takes visitors 16 metres up into the treetops of the forest canopy. Guided day and after-dark night walks are also on offer by appointment.

Guided Walks

Learn all about the Sanctuary Mountain project and the history of Maungatautari Mountain with a guided tour of the Southern Enclosure. Guided tours provide the opportunity to learn about indigenous plants, the numerous bird species that call the mountain home, plus much more.

For a truly unique experience, a guided night-time walk will open up a completely different world of this ancient forest. The night-time tours allow visitors to see curtains of glowworms, native crayfish (koura), search for weta and listen for the call of the Kiwi.

Northern Enclosure

The Northern Enclosure is a smaller section but is of great significance as this area is where the conservation work started. Walks in the Northern Enclosure take around 30 minutes to 1 hour, showcasing some of the different fauna growing on the mountain and picturesque forest streams. There is also the Te Ara Tirohia Loop Track (meaning the viewing platform) which is 1.1km long.

Over the Mountain Walk

The final option for visitors is a ‘Walk over the Mountain’ – this is recommended for experienced trampers and will take most of the day (5-6 hours). For those suitably equipped this trek provides great views from Pukeatua Peak. If you are not familiar with the mountain it is advised that you seek advice before attempting this trek.

Pricing
Free
Proximity to Town:
26km from Cambridge
Activity Duration:
35 min - 12 hours

More recommended things to do nearby

top pick Michael Jeans
from
$59.98
Cambridge

CAMJET Cambridge Jet Boat Tours

Unique opportunity to visit the Karapiro Dam and see some of the amazing native bush and bird life in the Cambridge River Gorge. Ideal for you and your whole family, anyone who likes adventure, fun, speed or scenery. Speeding up the Mighty Waikato in a 450 hp V8 Jet Boat is going to get the heart pumping, adrenaline flowing and the faces smiling. If you are a thrill seeking adrenaline junkie then this is for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a game of golf, followed by a browse round a picturesque town and a latte, or a visit to the close by Hobbiton movie set from the Lord of the Rings, then give the team at Camjet Cambridge Jet Boat Tours a call and we can have a quiet cruise up our beautiful river.
top pick Hobbiton Movie Set
from
$120
Matamata

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive beverage Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.
top pick
from
$39
Cambridge

Riverside Adventures Bike Hire and Shuttle Service

You don't need to worry about transport or gear while you're here.

Whether you're on one of our tours or doing your own thing, our shuttle service is available to pick up and drop off any adventurers at any river trail or alternate point in our surrounding areas.

If you're after gear hire, we have you covered too! We've got regular bikes, e-bikes and accessories to really make a day of it.

Shuttle service
- Te Awa River Ride
- Hauraki Rail Trail
- The Timber Trail

Bike & e-Bike Hire
Available from our shop at the Velodrome in Cambridge

top pick Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
from
$15
Te Awamutu

Sanctuary Mountain Explorer Pass

Step through the pest-proof gate into another world, where an ancient forest tower majestically above well-maintained walking tracks and the air is filled with birdsong. Explore the Sanctuary at your own pace or with an experienced guide who will help you spot the wildlife, including kākā, takahē, tuatara, kiwi, tīeke and more. Relax in the clearing or take an optional walk up the 16-metre observation tower, offering a unique perspective from within the forest canopy. Sanctuary Mountain is located in the heart of the Waikato, and as a not-for-profit, every visit helps make our conservation efforts possible. So come and share the mauri and mana of Maungatautari. You will come away enriched and enlightened by this spectacular environment.
top pick Hobbiton Movie Set
from
$230
Matamata

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour

Experience Hobbiton™ Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour through The Shire™ at dusk. Your tour guide will escort you through the 12 acre site, recounting fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies. The tour concludes at The Green Dragon™ Inn with a complimentary beverage from our exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range. Enter the Green Dragon dining room where the tables will be heaving with traditional Hobbit fare and, as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged. To conclude this premium experience, guests will re-join their guide to make their way back through the wandering paths of the Shire.
Bush and Beach
from
$200
Matamata

Hobbiton Express Tour with Party Marquee Lunch - Bush and Beach

Our small group tour to Hobbiton starts by going South from Auckland, your guide will give you commentary with information about the areas you are traveling through and insights to the background to the movies. On arrival at Hobbiton we get a specialist Hobbiton guide to take you on your walking tour of the Hobbiton movie set. This location is the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. You can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house “Bag End” & explore inside a Hobbit home with the new interactive experience. After a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a free drink the tour includes a sumptuous lunch fit for a Hobbit in the Party Marquee.
All things to do

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider complies with its safety obligations. Users should seek more information from the provider concerned. While Hamilton & Waikato Tourism will do its utmost to ensure the information contained within this website is accurate, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, offers or details of any information or operator listings. Prices, timetables and other details or terms of business may change without notice. The information included in this website is not advice and does not imply any endorsement by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.