Seeking Sanctuary

Many don't think of going to Zealandia for a run, but it's an absolute treasure and a wonderful place to spend any time in. The slower and quieter you are on this run, the more you will get out of it. The sounds of kaka, tui and saddlebacks follow you around, piwakawaka flit along behind you, and you may be fortunate enough to see more exotic species such as takahe, tuatara and even kiwi if you're there at dusk.

There is a fee to pay however - well worth it to support this amazing project and have the privilege of running here. Find out more here.

From the entrance, start running up the sealed Lake Road, then turn left onto Valley View Track. Follow this up through the bush for about 1.8k, ignoring the other turnoffs, until you get to Fantail Track on the left. Take this one up, then turn right when it joins Pylon Track and heads down again.

You'll soon join Round the Lake Track, turn left here and follow it over the stream and up until it joins Turbine Track. Turn left and continue heading up, past the bird-feeders and tuatara hotspot to the next junction.

Keep left here (marked Emergency Exit) and the track takes you up to the fenceline Perimeter Track. Turn right and follow the fence up the hill to bring you out at the Brooklyn Wind Turbine (the highest point in the reserve), with spectacular views back across the valley. Once you've caught your breath, head down Turbine Track and this time turn left onto Tui Glen Track, which meanders down to the valley floor, bringing you out onto Faultline Track.

Turn right and follow this track down to a T-junction where a right turn will take you to the Upper Dam. Head across the dam for some more great views of the lakes, then follow the sign for the swingbridge.

Once you've crossed the bridge, head down the Beech Tracks back down to Lake Road, then take a quick left and right down onto Te Mahanga Track. Follow this down, keeping left whenever there is a turnoff and it will take you through the wetlands area where you are likely to encounter takahe, then the pontoon where you get a great view of the resident shags.

Finally, head up the stairs, turn left and it's a short 300m along Lake Rd back to the start.