What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• An enjoyable experience & a good walk

  TravelDooey,,Dec 31, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  I think your guide makes a big difference on this tour. Having witnessed at least 4 guides in action, we were very thankful that we had Gill. No ranting or raving or a loud over-bearing voice. She was very knowledgeable & well suited to a tour of this kind.

  

  

  

  

  

• Worth the trip

  sjellington,,Dec 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  We took the cable car up the the top then caught a free shuttle to Zealandia. We had an excellent tour guide but we did not see more than a couple of birds because of the canopy. It was an amazing experience nonetheless! The crowds were not large, but I suggest you take the tour and then go hike on your own. The tour guide goes rather slowly to explain everything. We absolutely loved her. She explained not only the importance of the Zealandia cause, but also the history of the Maori and the significance of their culture. If only the US did the same with its indigenous peoples!

  

  

  

  

• The guide we had was very...

  Stephen M,,Dec 21, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  The guide we had was very knowledgable, friendly and allowed us all the time needed for pictures and discussion.

• Zealandia: A “Must See” in Wellington!

  Marianne W,,Dec 19, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Zealandia was a hidden gem. We learned so much about this incredible organization with their mission of saving the indigenous and endangered bird population of New Zealand through habitat restoration and community education. We went on a 2-hour guided walk through beautiful dense and verdant terrain while learning about and looking for the birds, plants & insects who call it home. We would highly recommend a visit to Zealandia. They also have a wonderful cafe and gift shop.

• If you care about ecosystems and wildlife, this is not to be missed.

  Happiness18519026937,,Dec 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Zealandia is the name of an amazing wildlife refuge in Wellington, NZ. It is a fully fenced sanctuary for many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest species of birds, fish, plants, and insects. The only way to understand the scope of this amazing place is to go see it and listen to the guide as you tour it. We did a short day time tour. A twilight or night tour would be incredible. Maybe next time. Our guide, Gill, was excellent. She explained how this wonderful place was created, and helped us find and see many of the creatures in residence there. If you care about ecosystems and wildlife, this is not to be missed.

• Awesome (and/but)

  Anne H,,Dec 10, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  See my Tripadvisor review! I am still on a high after seeing so many tuatara! And even if we were not graced with those I would still feel pleasantly surprised to garner such an appreciation for various birds; this brown parrot is a wonder of conservation restoration. The free shuttle from/to top of the cable car is super helpful. The chocolate in the shoppe is lovely (I bought two types and have tasted one thus far), and the cafe has a good beer selection. The two negatives include bad wifi for Zealandia guests (minor) and a massive devotion to evolutionary theory (major). It continues to astound me— an Ivy league graduate living in NYC and a born again Christian— as to why places of conservation and restoration cannot embrace the possibility that the Judeo Christian God of the Bible is real and created + so loved the world. I do not understand how a country can kow tow (now, finally) to Maori people who have a rich genealogy that is remarkably shorter than a couple thousand years and flat out deny that there could have been a global flood or that the earth could be less than 6000 to 8000 years old, that each of us come from Shem, Ham, or Japeth. A presentation of maybe evolution maybe creation would enhance the entire vibe of Zealandia.

• Awesome (and/but)

  akh74,,Dec 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  I am still on a high after seeing so many tuatara! And even if we were not graced with those I would still feel pleasantly surprised to garner such an appreciation for various birds; this brown parrot is a wonder of conservation restoration. The free shuttle from/to top of the cable car is super helpful. The chocolate in the shoppe is lovely (I bought two types and have tasted one thus far), and the cafe has a good beer selection. The two negatives include bad wifi for Zealandia guests (minor) and a massive devotion to evolutionary theory (major). It continues to astound me— an Ivy league graduate living in NYC and a born again Christian— as to why places of conservation and restoration cannot embrace the possibility that the Judeo Christian God of the Bible is real and created + so loved the world. I do not understand how a country can kow tow (now, finally) to Maori people who have a rich genealogy that is remarkably shorter than a couple thousand years and flat out deny that there could have been a global flood or that the earth could be less than 6000 to 8000 years old, that each of us come from Shem, Ham, or Japeth. A presentation of maybe evolution maybe creation would enhance the entire vibe of Zealandia.

• Amazing sanctuary in Wellington

  Smoltman,,Dec 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My wife and I really enjoyed our small group 2 hour tour. Our tour guide was excellent, Philamina showed us all the great things in the reserve. She was funny and she kept us going through the journey. A wealth of knowledge for sure and very dedicated. All questions were answered without hesitation. We did not see a lot of different birds but the ones we did see were great. The predator control and the predator exclusion fence were carefully explained to us and it all made sense. We spent nearly 4 hours on site for we went back in and hiked more trails. I strongly recommend you do the tour!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Cracking Day Out. Lots To See

  Ken H,,Nov 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Great guided tour led by the wonderful Libby who was so knowledgeable. Lots to see and learn from bird life and wild stick insects to weta bugs. You really get a sense of personal wellbeing amongst the forested areas which is the broad ethos of the site - humans and nature working together. Definitely worth doing if you are in the area with well managed paths from easy access tarmac to forest trails. Plenty of facilities, coffee shop, free shuttle from the Waterfront (See website) and some parking near entrance albeit we ended up just down the road at the overflow - suggest drop your passengers right by entrance then park the car. A lovely day out, great for children and highly recommended.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Great nature experience

  Gerhard K,,Nov 28, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Zealandia is a large fenced outdoor enclosure with a colourful birdlife. You absolutely need a guide, otherwise you won't see anything. At the beginning, a very well-made video on the colonization of New Zealand is shown, including the effects on the stubborn. Very impressive. The weather was modest here, but our guide gave us super interesting insights and showed and explained several bird species.

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