Note, January 2022: Access from Hicks Rd was removed in 2018 due to the access privilege across private land being abused. Access has now been reinstated (see comment at end of post) so PLEASE do not abuse the privilege so that it gets to be closed permanently. Thank you.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a mainland ecological island surrounded by the world’s longest pest-proof fence. It provides a sanctuary for populations of many of New Zealand’s most endangered species – from birds to bats, frogs to reptiles, tuatara to giant weta. There is an information centre at the southern entry, on Tari Rd, off Arapuni Rd. The northern entry is accessible from Hicks Rd, off Maungatautari Rd.
Tracks lead across the mountain, with access from these to the summit of Maungatautari at 797 m asl and Pukeatua at 753 m asl. There are views of the surrounding area from Pukeatua summit and the nearby rocky outcrop, but none from Maungatautari summit. An earlier post covers the walk from the southern entry to the summit of Pukeatua and the rocky outcrop.
The easiest access to the summit of Maungatautari is from the northern entry, accessible from Hicks Rd. There are no facilities other than a carpark area on Hicks Rd.
motowalknz 