Kaipupu Sanctuary
Kaipūpū is a sanctuary for the animals and plants of Aotearoa and a haven for visitors, educational groups and community.
Kaipupu Sanctuary is a community project in the middle of the Picton harbour, restoring a 40-hectare peninsular back to its original wilderness.
Pest traps are maintained by the volunteers to ensure rats, stoats and possums that swim around the fence are quickly removed. Weed infestations that once smothered the regenerating forests have been significantly reduced, and an extensive education program has seen hundreds of local children visiting the Sanctuary.
Allow 1.5–2 hours to leisurely walk around the 2.7km circular track and enjoy the bird song, native forest, and stunning views across the inner Queen Charlotte Sound. Kaipupu Sanctuary is only ten minutes by water from Waitohi/Picton. You can take your own boat or kayak, or catch a water taxi from Waitohi/Picton. Entry to the Sanctuary is FREE but donations are welcomed at the donation box near the jetty, or through the donation page on our website. Kaipupu also has a retail shop and office space with Picton Dawn Chorus and Envirohub Marlborough at the Picton Environment Centre at 14 Auckland Street in Picton.
The sanctuary is separated from the mainland by a predator proof fence with public access only possible via water.
There are a number of water taxi options to choose from or you can take your own boat or kayak.
- jetty
- bird life
- Outdoor picnic area
- Jetty
- Easy access
- walking tracks
- enjoying native wildlife