Rotokare Scenic Reserve

Beautiful place! Could see a kiwi in the afternoon - Amazing!
Apr 28th, 2023

My partner and I recently visited this nature reserve, and it felt like we were entering a scene from Jurassic Park when we arrived at the gate. The process of getting in was unique - we had to press a button from our car window, wait for the first gate to open, drive into the middle section, wait for the entrance to close fully behind us, and then press another button to open the second gate. Once inside, the open fields were replaced by a well-cared-for, pest-free sanctuary. As we drove through with the windows open, we were greeted by an incredible bird chorus that seemed like a small paradise we had stumbled upon. It was evident that this place was cherished, as only six cars were allowed to stay per night, and a sign asked visitors not to stay more than three nights a month. Before setting up our tent by the lake, my partner and I stood there, stunned by the beauty of the place. Birds in groups of two to thirty flew overhead, chirping or gliding towards an unknown destination. The morning chorus was just as impressive, with native birds filling the air with their songs. We decided to take the two-hour walk around the lake and saw Saddleback birds with loud calls that sounded like car alarms and curious robins that would fly very close to us. The forest was clearly old and cared for, with lengthy vines being a constant in the foliage, making it a bird paradise. We only met one other person during our walk, an old volunteer named Alan, who was cleaning the Hihi bird feeding stations. He told us more about the sanctuary and its birds. The highlight of our visit was the Hihi bird. These birds are very rare, and in the sanctuary, there were only 60 of them. During our conversation with Alan, two Hihi birds showed up to check if the feeding station was ready yet. Another name for these birds is sewing birds, as their calls sound like an old-style sewing machine. It sounded incredibly loud compared to the size of the yellow-accented bird. Overall, our experience at the nature reserve was incredible, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience!
May 1st, 2023

Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No More
Apr 25th, 2023

Nice reserve.
Apr 7th, 2023

Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No More
Apr 3rd, 2023