Walk for Wildlife

Get active with friends and whānau and help us help wildlife thrive with the Orokonui Walk for Wildlife. Taking care of all the taoka in Orokonui is not cheap, to keep the takahē and kākā feeders topped up costs close to $12000 a year alone. All funds raised from this event go staright into supporting Orokonui's conservation and community work. 

Challenge yourself with this 12 km walk starting from the Orokonui visitors centre, heading down through the wildlife rich Orokonui valley, past the tallest tree in New Zealand, and out and around the Orokonui Lagoon, before heading back to the visitor's centre to finish up. This is one of the few opportunities to enter and exit through the Orokonui lower gate so it is not to be missed. 

Get the whole family moving in the outdoors, with stations along the walk to entertain and educate participants about the wildlife, history and conservation work of Orokonui. To keep walkers fuelled there will be an included catered lunch of house made soup and bread as well as a beverage buffet of tea, coffee, and juice.

Doors open 8:00am with an option for walkers to get going at 8:30am and experience the sanctuary before regular opening, or stop in to the cafe to buy a coffee before heading off. 

All walkers need to depart on their adventure by 9:30am, to make sure they get back in time for lunch. 

All walkers planning on doing the full walk including the estuary need to be departing the lower gate by 10:30am.

Lunch will be served in the visitors centre from 12pm-2:30pm.

Walkers will be able to head back into Orokonui to explore more after the walk if they wish. 

Bookings close 12pm Wednesday 16th, October 2024

Orokonui Walk for Wildlife - terrain information

Visitor Centre to Valley Floor via the Robin Valley Track, and return: 2.5 to 3 hours

From the Visitor Centre to the valley floor, the Robin Valley Track has some steep downhill sections, with a drop in altitude of 300m over its course. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the lower sanctuary gate from the Visitor Centre, and 1.5 to 2 hours to return. The track has some uneven ground and can be muddy and slippery in some places when wet – boots with good grip and ankle support are recommended. 

Lower Sanctuary Gate and Orokonui Estuary Loop Track: 1.5 hours

The Orokonui Estuary Track has some small areas of steep gradient, but is mostly flat and level, traversing graveled tracks, paddocks, boardwalks and suburban streets. 

Walking times

Visitor Centre to Valley floor + Orokonui Estuary Loop Track - Walking time 4 to 5 hours

Recommended start time 8:30am, return 12:30-1:30pm

Visitor Centre to Valley Floor Return – Walking time 2.5 to 3 hours

Recommended start time 9:30am, return 12:30-1:30pm

Bring the essentials

• Sturdy walking boots with ankle support

• Layers and a raincoat

• Mobile phone

• Water bottle

• Snacks