Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced urban eco-sanctuary and home to some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary wildlife. This 2-hour guided walking tour will introduce you to native birds such as kakariki, tui, and bellbirds; rare species like takahē; and unique reptiles including green gecko and tuatara. Entrance fees are included.
2-hour guided tour of Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington
Explore the vast wetlands of the Zealandia eco-sanctuary on a walking tour
Spot rare and endangered birds including takahē, tui, and kākā
Learn more about New Zealand’s native wildlife from an expert guide
Small-group tour limited to 10 people ensures a personalized experience
What's Included
Professional Tour Guide
Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase)
Food and drinks
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
53 Waiapu Road
53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Turn left after the Karori Tunnel and travel along Waiapu Road. Zealandia is located at the end of Waiapu Road.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Make your own way to the Zealandia Visitor Center, just outside of Wellington city center, in time for a 10am, 11am, or 1pm departure (depending on tour time selected). After meeting your guide and small group of no more than 10 participants, set out on a 2-hour walking tour of the park.
Learn more about Zealandia and its pioneering conservation efforts as you follow your guide around the park’s walkways, exploring the lush forests and wetlands. Along the way, stop at viewpoints and feeding stations, and look out for green gecko, tuatara, and native New Zealand birds. Kākā (bush parrot), kakariki, tūī, tīeke (saddleback), hihi, and bellbirds are all common sightings, and you might even spot rare birds including the flightless takahē.
After 2 hours exploring the vast parklands, your tour ends back at the Visitor Center.
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Stroller accessible
A maximum of 12 people per booking
Near public transportation
Arrive at the Visitors Centre 15 minutes before your tour start time
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Infants must sit on laps
Photography allowed on this tour
Please enquire about service animal entry before booking.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Some of the tracks are wheelchair accessible, private tours are available
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Mary_H
Our guide, Julia was wonderful and knowledgeable! It was a beautiful day - and the ecological effort being made is extraordinary.
Reviews
5.0
117 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Showing 1-10 of 117 reviews
Beautiful lamdscape and unique bird watching
Cole_D, Aug 2023
If you like to see nature and and all sorts of different unique species of birds this is a great tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and the land was beautiful. I recommend it. If you just like to bar hop and eat food this may not be the most fun but definitely learned a lot about nature and wildlife in new zealand
Educational, with gorgeous views and a peaceful but stimulating environment
Nicholas_G, Aug 2023
Great tour, with opportunities to see birds and plants in an increasingly close approximation to what their natural environment would have been 800+ years ago. It was also educational. We learned about the history of the area and about different plants and animals. The views were gorgeous and the environment was peaceful but stimulating. My one wish is that humans were more quiet, except for the guide, who I'd sometimes like to be able to hear better. Maybe an audio tour option would be nice.
Our guide, Julia was...
Mary_H, Jul 2023
Our guide, Julia was wonderful and knowledgeable! It was a beautiful day - and the ecological effort being made is extraordinary.
A fabulous way to spend an afternoon.
Joanne_P, Jul 2023
We had a lovely guide who pitched her commentary perfectly for two boisterous boys and kept them enthusiastic throughout our tour. The photos speak for themselves as to what an amazing experience we had. We followed up with a visit to Te Papa to revisit the birds we’d seen. Thank you also for the free shuttle to and from the city. We highly recommend this tour.
Brilliant Sanctuary Experience
David_B, May 2023
Our guide was so enthusiastic and involved all of us so it was a great experience. Seeing the birds so close was a unique delight.
Nice tour to see birds
Stormy_L, May 2023
Enjoyed the landscape and seeing the various birds . Was an enjoyable 2 hours. Nice way to start a day and then see other sites in Wellington.
As the tour guide said,...
JING_L, Apr 2023
As the tour guide said, "You see what you see on a given day"...We didn't see many birds or other animals on that day. Still, overall it was a very beautiful place, and everything shows that people there love animals from the deep of their hearts. Also, they try their very best to make visitors' experiences comfortable and memorable.
most enjoyable and informative experience
Annel_V, Apr 2023
Wonderful initiative contributing to nature preservation, excellent guide, stunning natural scenery. Good value for money, thoroughly worth the time spent.
Great fun, and...
RogerLeslie_P, Mar 2023
Great fun, and informative. Well worth getting a guide to point out all the wildlife. I highly recommend it...
Birdwatchers Must Do
Valerie_K, Mar 2023
Well organized. Knowledgeable tour guide. Beautiful space. Worthy endeavour. Service at the cafeteria much too slow.
Lovely trip to Zealandia
Philip_P, Feb 2023
A lovely guided tour of Zealandia. Our guide was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Wonderful place to visit
I had a great time during...
Anglique_M, Feb 2023
I had a great time during the 2-Hour Eco wildlife tour at Zealandia. Landscapes and birds are beautiful . The guide was also great and interesting.
Great Experience!
Debbie_D, Feb 2023
Our guide was excellent! (Rory). Without a guide this area would not be appreciated! Great morning with a small group
Take this wonderful guided tour
Otto_P, Feb 2023
What an exciting place. We have known that New Zealand is trying to bring back its native flora and fauna. Most of it is being done in places that are hard to reach for the casual tourist. This small protected valley is located within minutes from downtown Wellington which is easily accessible by local buses and the cable car (there is a free shuttle from the cable car terminus to Zeelandia). If you go make sure you pay the $10 to go with a guide, you won't regret it. All of the guides are volunteers and they will provide you with as much information as you want about the predator free programs and the flora and fauna of the park. The birding is outstanding with superb views of many of New Zealand's protected and threatened birds. Afterwards stop at the cafe for a drink or lunch. Thank you Grant our guide who made this a special place and who made sure we got to see the Takahe one of NZ's rarest birds.
Aducational and fun
Michal_N, Jan 2023
Ash the guide was terrific. Very knowledgeable and funny. Found bitrds and animals for us to see or hear.
Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia
Keith_M, Dec 2022
Excellent tour with friendly and knowledgeable guide. Saw many local birds and good description of them from our guide.
Only downside was some participants turned up late so tour was delayed and we had to leave before it was finished.
A little bit of magic in the city
Fiona_D, Dec 2022
We had a wonderful guide, who explained to us the history of the sanctuary and many New Zealand native plants. We saw almost all of the birds listed on the brochure. I saw some native birds that I have never seen before. It was a wonderful experience.
Not to be missed when in Wellington.
Brad_C, Nov 2022
One of the best eco tours we have been on. Wonderful facility with a very knowledgeable guide. Hard to believe you are in the middle of Wellington. Highly recommended.
Fab afternoon in nature
Rasa_K, Nov 2022
Excellent guided tour, takes you all around Zealandia with fascinating stories about New Zealand’s wildlife! Perfect afternoon in nature!
Great experience
Matthieu_D, Nov 2022
Amazing guides, small group, very interesting.
The site is beautiful. The story of this ecosanctuary is amazing.
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