Glenfern Sanctuary

Glenfern Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to experience native wildlife on Great Barrier Island. The Sanctuary is part of 230ha Kotuku Peninsula in the north of Great Barrier Island betwen Port FitzRoy and Port Abercrombie and the result of 15 years hard work. Over 9,000 native trees have been planted and there is an extensive track network. A swing bridge enables visitors to climb into the crown of a 600 year old kauri tree. Ongoing rat and cat control has helped provide a relatively safe habitat for many native species including the black petrel and brown teal which are breeding here, also kaka and chevron skink and the recently introduced North Island robin.

Developed over the last decade, Glenfern Sanctuary walkway has been a labour of love for the owners of the FitzRoy House property. The Glenfern Sanctuary Guided Walk begins in a Unimog (all terrain army vehicle) departing from FitzRoy House to the top of the hill, where from Sunset Rock is a view of the sanctuary and the wealth of flora, fauna and native wildlife.

Enjoy the 'Kauri Tree Walk’ where the native plants have been identified with descriptive plaques. Climb into the crown of a 600 year old kauri tree accessed by a suspension bridge.