Enclosed by 14.3 kilometres of pest-proof fencing, this 690-hectare wildlife haven in Nelson’s Brook Valley is the South Island’s largest protected sanctuary for endangered native plants and creatures. Visitors can explore 15 kilometres of walking tracks threading through mature beech forest, with routes ranging from short, medium, and long day walks to an easy 45-minute loop past waterfalls, picnic spots, and a sculpture trail. Alongside self-guided walks, the sanctuary runs guided day and night tours, giving people a chance to encounter resident wildlife in the wild, including kiwi, tuatara, and kākāriki karaka.
Because pest-fenced sanctuaries provide a rare, predator-free environment, they offer an unhurried, natural setting where native forest birds and reptiles thrive in genuine habitat rather than enclosures. The sanctuary is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, with last entry strictly at 3pm, and hosts children's activities and community events throughout the year. You will find the entrance at 651 Brook Street in The Brook, just minutes south of central Nelson. Our pick in Nelson for a tranquil native bush walk and an unforgettable evening kiwi tour.