Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. Enjoy a night discovering New Zealand’s evolution and natural history at Zealandia, located just minutes from central Wellington. The discovery begins with a guided tour through Zealandia: The Exhibition, a state-of-the-art indoor exhibition showcasing New Zealand’s natural history and world renowned conservation movement. As darkness falls, your guide will lead you into the Sanctuary Valley, the world’s first fully fenced urban eco-sanctuary in search for little spotted kiwi and the many other nocturnal animals that call the sanctuary home. Witness firsthand why Zealandia has been named the top tourism operation in Aotearoa New Zealand 2023, winning the prestigious Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award. This is an unforgettable Wellington experience not to be missed!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers of clothing and a waterproof jacket. Torches (flashlights) are supplied
Minimum age is 12 years
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time
To get to ZEALANDIA at night we recommend you book a taxi via your hotel concierge team or call Wellington Combined Taxis Ph: (04) 384 44 44
Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility, or difficulty walking for 2 hours in low-light conditions
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Zealandia Te Mara a Tane
The tour begins with a short film and introduction inside the Visitor Centre's interactive exhibition. Afterwards, the guide leads the group on an exciting walk through the sanctuary in search of wildlife.
What‘s Included
Torches/flashlights supplied
Guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
02 Mar - 08 Mar 2026
22 Mar - 28 Mar 2027
14 Dec - 24 Jan 2027
23 Mar - 29 Mar 2026
09 Mar - 22 Mar 2026+27
30 Mar - 4 Apr 2026
17 Aug - 30 Aug 2026
22 Feb - 28 Feb 2027
12 Oct - 25 Oct 2026
25 Jan - 07 Feb 2027
11 May - 24 May 2026+27
05 Apr - 19 Apr 2026
25 May - 5 Jul 2026
9 Nov - 15 Nov 2026
23 Feb - 01 Mar 2026
30 Nov - 13 Dec 2026
31 Aug - 13 Sep 2026
29 Mar - 4 Apr 2027
14 Sep - 26 Sep 2026
06 Jul - 26 Jul 2026
26 Sep - 11 Oct 2026
08 Feb - 21 Feb 2027
20 Apr - 26 Apr 2026
31 May - 4 Jul 2027
19 Apr - 25 Apr 2027
27 Apr - 10 May 2026+27
16 Nov - 29 Nov 2026
25 Jan - 7 Feb 2027
26 Oct - 8 Nov 2026
5 Apr - 18 Apr 2027
15 Mar - 21 Mar 2027
27 Jul - 16 Aug 2026
Reviews
134 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Luckily, saw 2 kiwis
Clement K,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Saw some birds, some slugs, two frogs, a bunch of trees, some bugs and....TWO KIWIS ...But none of these sightings are guaranteed
Great experience!
Guide783116,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Such amazing people that work there. The guides were really great! So informative and helpful. We saw lots of birds and bugs. But no kiwi. We honestly weren't expecting to see a kiwi though so we weren't really disappointed. It was just great to be outside walking thru nature hearing birds and seeing bugs. 🙂 We do think the number of people in the tour should have been cut in half, especially for a night tour. The guide tried her best to get everyone to see the sights, but a few people in the group that kept to the front prevented some of us from seeing everything. Still, we understand the need to have larger groups. The guides definitely made this event a worthwhile and wonderful event.
Very enjoyable tour and kind staff
profmom 12,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed learning about the nocturnal activities of New Zealand birds, reptiles and insects. Alan was a great guide. Seeing kiwi was especially exciting. We even had a cup of herbal tea after the tour.
Zealandia - perhaps the best urban bird/animal/plant conservation story in the world!
craigandt,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our third visit to Zealandia in two years and we cannot say enough good about the park, the team and the unbelievable progress that has been made for the benefit of endemic plants, animalia and birds in just 30+ years. This time we added the night tour to our bucket list, and while fleeting, did see the little Spotted Kiwi feeding. This is a must-do for all Welly visitors! Craig and T
We had a great evening...
Helen P,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great evening and saw lots. Our female guide and spotter were excellent . Highlight was two sightings of kiwis
Kiwis in their natural environment!
gusmU4067BT,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed the evening! This was the one place in New Zealand where we actually got to see kiwis in their natural environment. We actually saw three kiwis while there as well as multiple tuatare, tuis and some swags/cormorants.
Our favorite tour in New Zealand
Retsbol,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this tour because we wanted the chance to see a kiwi and it did not disappoint! We were lucky enough to see a kiwi at the beginning of our tour in its entirety, and then two additional times we got to see one from farther away. We also saw tuataras, three frogs, all three types of Weta, Tui, Kaka, and more! We didn't have a rental car so were nervous on how it would turn out at the end of the tour with being able to get an uber back into town late in the evening, but luckily we had no issue getting an uber to pick us up. This was by far our favorite part of our trip to New Zealand.
Educational and rewarding night tour
silveranicore,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chose the night tour in Zealandia because I was specifically hoping to see Kiwis, Tuataras and maybe a Ruru, and was lucky on most accounts. A dozen Tuataras, and one very patient Ruru close up! Frogs and glowworms were a nice extra treat. We did see Kiwis from afar, but sadly they were rather hidden in the bushes and our group didn't get the clearest view, but oh well, they're wild animals, so you can't always get what you want. It was still worth it! The provided headsets worked very well, so our guide could keep his voice low while speaking straight for the entirety of the two-hour walk. It felt very educational, and I admire Zealandia's mission and dedication!
Brilliant experience with lots to see, including Kiwi, Weta and Tuatara. Thanks to John and Glenda!
G8791PLgregs,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great Night Tour lead by John, aided by Glenda the scout! We saw and heard Tui, Kaka (bush parrots) and Ruru (morepork), and saw Pied Shags, Diving Ducks, Paradise Ducks, Kiwi, Giant Weta, Cave Weta, the amazing Tuatara and lots of Glow Worms. Hamilton's Frogs were a no-show! The introductory film on the big wide screen is still giving me goosebumps just thinking about it. Incredibly moving imagery, packing a long and complex story into just a few short minutes. Definitely worth a visit!
a very magic night your
Michaela H,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a perfectly guided night tour through Zealandia. Our guide gave us a lot of information and enough time to listen, explore and discover everything. And what shall I say: We saw a lot of Tuataras, Wetas, Glowworms, 2 Hamilton frogs and tatata 3 Kiwis, one of them a young one! It was a perfect Nighttour and we can highly recommend it! Nothing can compare with the magic of nature!
From NZ$120.00
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