Our walking track network
Nikau Track
Nikau Track
Old Bach Track
Old Bach Track
Flagstone Track
Flagstone Track
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder
Fencepost track
Fencepost track
As part of the Sanctuary's fundraising efforts, fencepost sponsorships are available, costs to sponsor a fence range from $100 - $5000.
Sponsored fenceposts feature a plaque (affixed to the fencepost on the inside of the fencepost track) with short messages from the sponsor, see example image.
Carter's Loop
9km
3-4 hours
Carter's Loop
Take the Koru Track to the end at Ferny Flats. Join Carter’s Track over the crossing, keeping left, and over another 8 stream crossings, turning around at the eastern most point to head home. Take Carter’s Track to its end point with the Koru Track and proceed toward Jacob’s Ladder. Two options here: take Jacob’s Ladder down (this is steep) to the Valley Track and over 1909 Bridge or take the Koru Track all the way back. Both options end at the entrance/exit gate.
Time to walk Carter's Loop: 3-4 hours (9kms)
Corkscrew
Champagne Pool
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Koru Track - Valley Track Loop
1.5-2 hours
Koru Track - Valley Track Loop
Take the Koru Track up to Jacob’s Ladder. Turn right onto Jacob’s Ladder and take it down (this is steep) to the Valley Track. Turn right again down the Valley Track over 1909 Bridge and back toward the Visitor Centre over The Founders’ Bridge.
Ferny Flats
Valley Track
60-80 minutes
Valley Track
Take The Loop to Beech Glade Bridge, then head up either the Nikau Track or the Valley Track, cross the 1909 Bridge, and back toward the Visitor Centre. Add a spectacular treat (extra 20 mins) by continuing up the Valley Track to Forks Crossing and back.
1909 Dam and Bridge
The Dam, which is commonly referred to as the Top or Upper Dam, provided a reservoir of about 15 million litres to the city until the 1970s. A walkway across the dam is closed off; the bridge is downstream from the dam.
Top Weir
The Loop
The Loop
Walking time: 30-40 minutes (starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre)
The most popular and well-developed track is accessible for those in mobility buggies or wheelchairs.
Points of interest include:
The Big Dam
Built 1904/05: In the middle is the green/grey pest-proof dam gate, an ingenious piece of engineering added in 2016. It allows water and migratory fish to travel out but prevents pests from getting into the Sanctuary.
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The Founders' Bridge
Constructed across the Big Dam in December 2019 to complete The Loop track.
Wētā Hotels
Tree wētā are nocturnal (active at night) and arboreal (live in trees), emerging when it’s dark to feed on vegetation.
1868 Dam
The first waterworks built in the Brook Valley, the Dam is not very visible from the track, but the well-like structures you can see are the gate valves that were used to control the water flow into the pipes.
The Middle Dam
With steps beside it, this structure now creates a waterfall.
