From Wikitravel

Tararu Valley Sanctuary [1] is an conservation & sustainable living project near Thames in the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, within 1.5 hrs drive from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga in New Zealand.

[edit] Understand

Tararu Valley Sanctuary manages an area of native rainforest at the head of the Tararu Catchment. At the moment, its main modus operandi is via a residential volunteer programme, where people from all over the world live in the Sanctuary to help with project work in the areas of conservation, organic food growing, renewable power and sustainable building. This is alternated with ecological excursions and outdoor adventure trips (hiking, camping, seakayaking, rockclimbing, caving and more).

The Sanctuary consists of and is surrounded by regenerating bush and large areas of mature forest, including stands of the rare Swamp Maire tree and some giant kauri trees. the river offers several great swimmingholes, and seaviews can be obtained from the volunteer lodge as well as from many other parts of the land.

[edit] Get in

Visit the Official Tararu Valley Sanctuary website and click on "become a volunteer" to find out all you need to know about joining as a volunteer. The Sanctuary is 10km from Thames, this is where volunteers are normally picked up. The minimum stay is 6 weeks, and a donation is required to cover the cost of food, accommodation and recreation trips.

[edit] Get around

There are a number of walking tracks in the Sanctuary. Bicycles available for trips into town or rides along the beautiful Thames Coast.

[edit][add listing] See

The stunning views over Firth of Thames with a different sunset everyday, ancient Kauri trees, beautiful mature rainforest, native birds.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Varied project work:
  • Forest research
  • Trailwork
  • GPS work
  • Slipface revegetation
  • Tree nursery work
  • Planting trees
  • Releasing/mulching/pruning trees
• Adventure recreation trips:
  • Day or multi-day hikes
  • Camping
  • Seakayaking
  • Rockclimbing
  • Abseiling
  • Caving

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

All food is vegetarian, we are happy to cater to vegans. as much as possible food is organic and locally grown.

[edit][add listing] Drink

The Sanctuary has wonderful clean, mountain streamwater, and a beer or wine in the evenings goes well.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Accommodation is in twin rooms in a modern comfortable house or in bush cabins. Electricity is limited, hot water for baths and showers. A wood-fired sauna and spa is under construction.

[edit] Get out

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