Sanctuary Track

The Forest Sanctuary protects a striking remnant of podocarp forest.

The track is an easy loop starting and ending at the Sanctuary Road car park and bridge which is on the north-east side of the Minginui Stream. The track crosses a bridge over the Minginui Stream and climbs through a number of small terraces and follows a loop before descending and returning to the bridge and car park where the track ends.

Birdlife includes rare species, North Island kaka, red and yellow crowned kakariki, kiwi, robin and kereru.

Whirinaki Night Life Walk

Explore the Night Life Walk and listen to the native creatures that venture out after dark. Many of these night 'critters' are usually difficult to see and are not often heard during the day.

Glowworms glow brightly in the darkness of night, morepork/ruru beckon ‘welcome’, weta signal their presence from the forest trees and, at the top of the track, you can often hear kiwi. Listen to the song of the short tailed bat and identify the echolocation calls of the long tailed bat.

The track starts across the bridge from the Forest Sanctuary carpark. Bright reflectors light the way up and back down the track so don't worry about getting lost at night - all you need is a torch!

Audio device and seating area half way along the track.

Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south-east of Rotorua, off SH 38. The Sanctuary Track and Night Life Walk are located at the end of Sanctuary Road off Minginui Road just before Minginui Village