Reconnect With Nature
Haere Mai | Welcome
Just minutes from Nelson, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is the largest fenced wildlife sanctuary for endangered plants and animals in the South Island. Abundant with native species that both delight and surprise, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the beauty of New Zealand native bush, breathe deeply, and truly appreciate our sense of place and mauri (life force).
Home to iconic species like the kiwi, tuatara, and kākāriki, the Sanctuary offers self-guided exploration across 15km of walking tracks, as well as guided day and night tours. Don’t miss one of the South Island’s top attractions and your chance to hear (or maybe see) a kiwi in its natural habitat.
Lots to see and do
Nestled in Nelson’s Brook Valley, the Sanctuary spans 690 hectares of protected native bush, surrounded by 14.3 kilometres of pest-proof fencing. This predator-free environment enables the safe return of some of Aotearoa’s most endangered species.
The Sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the South Island and the second largest in the country; it is the only sanctuary to feature primarily mature New Zealand beech forest.
- 15km of walking tracks
- 45-minute easy loop walk with waterfalls, sculpture trail, picnic spots and more
- Guided day and night tours
- Home to kiwi, tuatara, the largest population of kākāriki karaka & many other endangered species
- Just 5km from Nelson City Centre
Find out more about our walks, facilities and what you can do at the Sanctuary here.
What’s happening at the Sanctuary?
Translocations, new chicks, competitions, children’s activities, corporate events – there’s always something new happening at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
What’s here?
Meet some of our amazing residents and our incredible flora
Choose your trail
Which trail will you take today? Choose from short, medium and long day walks. Explore some of the best walks in Nelson and immerse yourself in the Sanctuary for a day.
Visitor Reviews
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A magical kiwi encounter beneath the glowworms! 🌿
Last night’s guided tour delivered a truly special moment, when our visitors had an unexpected encounter with a kiwi! 💚
While taking in the magical glowworms lighting up the forest, our group was treated to an unforgettable sighting of a kiwi moving through the darkness. Moments like these are a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do — protecting precious native wildlife and creating a safe haven where these incredible species can thrive.
Come and experience the magic for yourself! 🌙
Join one of our guided night tours and discover the wonders of the Sanctuary after dark. You never know what special encounters await! we have a 25% discount throughout October to November - use promo code: NIGHT25 when booking online.
📍 Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, Nelson
🎟️ Book your guided night tour today!
🎥Video credit: Joelle
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #KiwiEncounter #Kiwi #purenz #nelson
Oct 29
🎭🌿 Junior Rangers Get Creative for the Santa Parade! 🎅
What a fantastic weekend of creativity at Brook Valley Holiday Reserve, Rātā Room ! Our Junior Rangers have been busy making masks for the upcoming Santa Parade in November, and we’ve seen some amazing creations taking shape.
With plenty of imagination and enthusiasm, the kids are now taking their ideas home to keep working on their costumes. We can’t wait to see the finished creations and have our young kaitiaki represent the Sanctuary in the parade! 🎄
A huge thank you to Faye and Karl at @communityartworksnz (Nelson Community Art Works) for generously providing masks, templates and materials for our workshops. Your support helped make these sessions possible, and we’re so grateful for your contribution.
Thanks also to Dave, our Sanctuary volunteer, who is leading our Santa Parade float project, for popping in to talk about the float and getting our Junior Rangers even more excited to be involved!
We love seeing our young kaitiaki getting creative, connecting with nature and representing the Sanctuary in our community. 💚
👉 Check out some of their fantastic creations below!
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #JuniorRangers #SantaParade #YoungKaitiaki #NelsonCommunity @brookvalleyholidayreserve
Oct 29
🌿 From the stage to the forest!
A big thank you to the incredible team from @machinedecirque for visiting the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary today - even spotted their very first tuatara!
Visiting Nelson from Québec, Canada, this internationally acclaimed contemporary circus company is bringing its spectacular blend of acrobatics, live music, humour and physical comedy to the @nelson_arts_festival.
It was a pleasure to welcome the team into the Sanctuary and share a little of the special place we’re lucky to have right on Nelson’s doorstep.
Wishing the team all the very best for their performances!
🎪 Find out more about Machine de Cirque and the festival programme: www.nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/machine-de-cirque/
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NelsonArtsFestival #MachineDeCirque #WhakatūNelson #NatureAndCulture
Oct 27
🌿 We’re open today for Labour Day!
Looking for something different to do this long weekend? Come and reconnect with nature at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
Explore our beautiful native forest, wander the walking tracks and keep your eyes peeled for some of Aotearoa’s special wildlife. You might spot a curious kākāriki karaka, a South Island robin, or even a basking tuatara!
🌳 15 km of scenic walking tracks to explore
🦎 Discover unique native wildlife
🌿 A peaceful nature escape just 10 minutes from Nelson city centre
Bring the family, enjoy the fresh air and discover something new. There’s plenty to see and explore, and every visit supports our work protecting threatened species and restoring our native forest.
📍 Open today, Monday 26 October, 10am–4pm.
We look forward to seeing you at the Sanctuary today! 🌿
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NelsonNZ #LabourWeekend #ReconnectWithNature #ExploreNelson #NativeWildlife #ConservationNZ #NatureEscape #FamilyFun #ProtectOurWildlife
Oct 25
🌿 We’re open this Labour Weekend!
Looking for something different to do this long weekend? Come and reconnect with nature at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary!
Explore our beautiful native forest, wander the walking tracks and keep your eyes peeled for some of Aotearoa’s special wildlife. You might spot a curious kākāriki karaka, a South Island robin, or even a basking tuatara!
🌳 15 km of scenic walking tracks
🦎 Discover unique native wildlife
🌿 Enjoy a peaceful escape just 10 minutes from Nelson city centre
📍 Open Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October, 10am–4pm.
Bring the family, enjoy the fresh air and discover something new. Every visit supports our work protecting threatened species and restoring our native forest.
We look forward to seeing you this Labour Weekend!
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NelsonNZ #LabourWeekend #ReconnectWithNature #ProtectOurWildlife
Oct 22
🌿 BINGO NIGHT at Spring and Fern – The Meadow! 🎱
Looking for a fun night out while supporting a great cause? Join us for a night of bingo, good company and some fantastic prizes, all in support of the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary! 🌱
📅 Tuesday 20 October
⏰ 7pm
📍 Spring and Fern – The Meadow
💰 Remember to bring cash!
🎁 Great prizes are up for grabs, so bring your friends, bring your lucky streak, and get ready for a fun night supporting our native wildlife and conservation work.
We’d love to see you there! 🌿
Oct 18
