Auckland Zoo
See a variety of animals from around the world at Auckland Zoo. Large moats are used instead of bars to separate animals and visitors, meaning that natural habitats are replicated as much as possible. Enjoy seeing and learning about everything from African wetland animals to Australian desert creatures and native Kiwi flora and fauna.
The Basics
The 40-acre (16-hectare) grounds of Auckland Zoo contain more than 1,000 animals belonging to 126 species of mammals, birds, and ectotherms (reptiles, fish, etc.). As the zoo attempts to minimize the use of cages, visitors can see animals behaving naturally and at ease. Conservation is an important part of Auckland Zoo’s work. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and represent different parts of the world, so it’s a nice place to walk and enjoy a picnic, as well as see animals. Auckland Zoo is a great day out for all kinds of travelers, especially families and animal-lovers. Buy your tickets online in advance so you can skip the admission lines upon arrival.
While you can spend the whole day at the zoo, travelers often visit as part of hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing tours of Auckland. These tours stop at a number of key attractions around the city, and passengers can get off and explore whichever places appeal to them.
Things to Know Before You Go
There are places to buy snacks, ice cream, and coffee, but it’s recommended to take a picnic to enjoy in the zoo.
The zoo is large and requires quite a lot of walking. There are well-defined and paved paths for wheelchair and stroller access.
The zoo offers a number of special activities, such as night tours, behind-the-scenes tours, birthday parties, and photography workshops. These should be booked in advance.
How to Get There
The Auckland Zoo is west of downtown Auckland. It can be reached on the number 11 tram, or as part of hop-on hop-off bus tours. There is lots of parking for travelers with their own vehicles. In the summer, a shuttle runs between Auckland Zoo and the Auckland Museum, in the Auckland Domain in the central city.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Auckland Zoo is open every day of the year, except December 25. It opens at 9:30am and closes at 5pm, with the last entry of the day at 4:15pm. It is especially busy during weekends and school holidays, particularly in the summer. To avoid crowds, visit during the week.
Safari Night
For a different zoo experience, book a spot on a Safari Night, held periodically. After a barbecue dinner, visitors are shown around the zoo at night, to learn about the different nocturnal activities of animals. Children must be at least 8 years old to attend. The tours typically run between 4:30pm and 10pm.
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