Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience Zealandia as it transforms from daylight to twilight during this special 2.5 hour guided experience. You will have an opportunity to experience the dusk chorus sung by a cacophony of native New Zealand birds. See birds returning to the sanctuary to settle into their nests and marvel at the sight of the evening sky and hear the changing sounds of birds from day to night. The fully-fenced, urban eco-sanctuary is located 10-minutes from Wellington central business district, a not to be missed experience! 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.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 5 years
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers of clothing and a waterproof jacket.
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
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Zealandia Te Mara a Tane
These exclusive tours start 2 hours before sunset, when the last of the daytime visitors have gone. You will begin your tour with the highlights of Zealandia's interactive exhibition where you will uncover the unique natural history of New Zealand and hear about the 500-year vision of the sanctuary. Your guide will then lead you on an after-hours tour through the regenerating valley during one of the most active times of the day for many of our species. Encounter unique wildlife such as wētā, takahē, tuatara and more. You may even experience the first sounds of the nocturnal birds, such as kiwi and ruru (morepork) as they wake.
What‘s Included
Hot kawakawa tea (a natural herbal tea) is served on the tour, to enjoy in the forest.
Guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley
Entry to Zealandia as a general admission visitor on the day of or day after your tour.
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Twilight Tour - 6:15pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 7:15pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 6:00pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 5:45pm
Twilight Tour - 5.45pm: 2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 6:30pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 6:45pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 5.30pm
Twilight tour - 5.30pm: 2,5 hour guided tour
Twilight Tour - 7:00pm
2,5 hour guided tour
Reviews
62 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must Do Wildlife Experience
D6220TTchrisr,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Action packed and fascinating. We saw heaps of NZ wildlife big and small including a very accommodating kiwi within 2 metres, many reptiles, unique ancient frog, Morpork Owl, NZ rarest duck and giant wetas. The conversation stories are heart warming and encouraging! The guides were amazing… If you want some good news in the natural world for once, this is the place!
Phenomenal!
Navigate20453854816,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Over the years. I have been to a fair few twilight tours but this one was by far the best. We saw such a variety of wildlife including tui, kereru, smooth stick insect, rare brown teal and culminating with 5 sightings of the little spotted kiwi which was in incredible as you don't normally see them on a twilight tour because they are nocturnal. With a later tour you also get a free day pass for Zealandia to see day wildlife witch is totally different to the nocturnal creatures. If you get chance I would highly recommend booking a tour as you learn so much from the guide and see stuff you wouldn't normally see. Over all a fantastic experience and would 100% do again. Thanks so much and keep protecting the unique wildlife that New Zealand has to offer.
Don't miss it!
ViaTour123,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We went on the twilight tour. The site was magnificent and the guides were exceptionally knowledgeable. Bug spray not necessary for this excursion in nature. Wear comfortable closed shoes.
Twilight Zealandia tour
Linda K,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Twilight tour was outstanding. We saw lots of birds and lizards. Sara and Lind were very good at spotting the different birds and sounds. They even found Kiwi birds for us. The reserve is a wonderful endeavor.
Twilight tour December 2025
Candice A,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Took the twilight tour with Oliver and a lovely female guide whose name I completely have forgotten (sorry). Both were so wonderful, amazingly knowledgeable, and passionate. We did not see any kiwis (but heard them); however, there is so much more to this amazing place. Highly recommend this... it truly is magical.
A good cause to support but only if you have lots of time in Wellington.
Bob M,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The audio system was effective so that we could hear the guide easily. The guide was knowledgeable. I enjoyed hearing the evening bird song within the valley. We were not lucky enough to see a kiwi during our experience. The tour felt quite crowded with 12 people in the dark of the evening, so that if you were near the back you couldn’t always follow what the guide was talking about. At the end of the tour, the guide asked each of us individually what the best bit of the tour had been: this felt awkward and several people were clearly uncomfortable at being put on the spot like this, with at least one declining to answer. Overall, my view of the experience is that I was happy to donate money to a good cause through purchasing the tour, but I did not feel it was the best use of my limited time in the area.
Native paradise
manawaf,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with knowledgeable guides. Presentation excellent, nice walk with lots to hear and see. Great preservation of our native species.
Amazing!
Sharon W,,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a AMAZING experience with incredibly knowledgeable guides. What they are doing at Zealandia is very interesting not just for New Zealand, but for a world with increasing climate challenges. I highly recommend this for anyone who cares about the planet
A Wellington Must-See
jeffbA2141MA,,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the Zealandia After Dark tour. This is an amazing experience and well worth the time and cost. Our guide Rebecca and scout Glynnis did a fantastic job of finding and educating us about the many species of wildlife that inhabit the preserve. If you visit Wellington, you must visit Zealandia!
Nice guided tour
959glennk,,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The group we were in was small and the guide was really knowledgeable. We didn’t get to see a Kiwi but did manage to see various birds, a Gecko and a frog on our walk around the sanctuary. We would highly recommend just on the off chance you do get to see a Kiwi 😀
From NZ$110.00
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Operated by Zealandia