Welcome for eco-wanderers

With the assistance of an "entry permit", (from left) Kathy Land, of Melbourne, Lidy Riedstra and Elise Allen, both of Dunedin, guide themselves around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary on Saturday. Photo by Jane Dawber.
With the assistance of an "entry permit", (from left) Kathy Land, of Melbourne, Lidy Riedstra and Elise Allen, both of Dunedin, guide themselves around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary on Saturday. Photo by Jane Dawber.
The first weekend of unguided walks at the Orokonui ecosanctuary has proven exceptionally popular.

During an open day on Saturday, about 150 people took advantage of the tracks unaccompanied by guides.

It had been wonderful to see so many people take advantage of the unguided walks despite rain making a slow start to the day, operations manager Chris Baillie said.

Previously, there were about two guided walks a day through the ecosanctuary, with about 10 people on each.

Feedback from visitors had been "fabulous", and there had been no issues with people wandering off the well-marked tracks, she said.

The entry fee for walkers would now be $15 per adult and $7.50 per child, with a 50% discount for members.