Zealandia

Step into a living ark. Zealandia is a groundbreaking urban ecosanctuary in Wellington, where a jaw-dropping 500-year restoration project has rewilded a valley just minutes from the city centre. Enclosed by a world-first predator-proof fence, this lush, 225-hectare reserve is your best chance to see New Zealand's most extraordinary wildlife – including the rare little spotted kiwi, the prehistoric-looking tuatara, and the charismatic kākā – in their natural habitat. It's part museum, part national park, and totally unforgettable.

Highlights & What to See

• Guided Twilight Tours – Head out at dusk to hear the forest come alive. You'll likely spot wild tuatara and, if you're lucky, a kiwi foraging in the leaf litter.
• Valley View Track – A steep 1.5-hour walk that rewards you with sweeping views over the sanctuary, the harbour, and the city skyline.
• Kākā Feeding Station – Visit between 9am and 10am or 3pm and 4pm to see these boisterous forest parrots swoop in for supplementary feed – a riot of colour and noise.
• Zealandia by Day – Stroll the easy Lake and Tūī tracks, where you'll spot tūī, bellbirds, and the cheeky saddleback. The bush is alive with birdsong.
• Exhibition & Conservation Hub – Start at the visitor centre to understand the epic restoration story and see the only remaining example of a giant wētā in the flesh.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan at least half a day (4–5 hours) to explore the main tracks and soak up the birdlife. If you can, book a twilight tour (2 hours) – it's the best way to see the nocturnal stars. For a deeper dive, combine a day visit with a night tour and allow a full day.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Wellington Cable Car & Botanic Garden – A scenic ride up to the Botanic Garden, which connects to Zealandia via a walking track through the town belt.
• Mount Victoria Lookout – For panoramic views of Wellington Harbour and the city, a short drive or bus ride from Zealandia.
• Te Papa Museum – New Zealand's national museum, a must-see for its Māori and natural history collections, just 10 minutes' drive from the sanctuary.
• Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Shop & Café – Grab a coffee and native plant souvenirs at the entrance – a perfect post-walk pit stop.

Please check official sources for current details.