Wellington Wildlife Park & Sanctuary Karori
Haere Mai … Welcome to Zealandia and the Karori Sanctuary located just 10 minutes from downtown Wellington and set in a gorgeous 225 hectare valley, a protected and natural area that is being restored.
Designed around two century old reservoirs Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary and is home to some remarkable native species of reptiles, birds and insects. The success is hugely dependent on Zealandia’s abilities to exclude mammalian pests permanently and this was achieved by the erection of a 8.6km long predator proof fence in 1999. 13 pest mammals have been excluded and over 40 threatened plant and animal species have been reintroduced.
Experience ‘The Exhibition’ which takes you on an extraordinary journey from before humans arrived, through a century of loss and back to the present day. The exhibition is dedicated to showcasing New Zealand’s unique natural history and conservation movement.
Make the most of your visit to Zealandia and join us for a FREE ‘Walk and Talk’ tour where you wander around the lower valley for 45 minutes and learn about some of Zealandia’s residents such as the k?k?, and takah?.
A guided night tour at Zealandia is an experience that you will never forget. After seeing some of the highlights of the ‘Exhibition’ you will be welcomed with the incredible evening birdsong that has been absent on the mainland for more than a century. You are in the best place to see kiwi in the wild as they forage on the forest floor along with many other sights and sounds of the natives that reside here.
For the fit amongst you take a 2-3 hour guided hike on some of the lesser used tracks, all the while listening and looking for rare birds such as the k?k?, hihi, robin and saddleback.
For that special occasion why not book for our ‘Breakfast, Bubbles and Birdsong Tour’ that affords the luxury of entrance to the park before it is open to the public. Sit and enjoy your breakfast on the takah? lawn, sip on your bubbles while you are enchanted with the beautiful birdsong that surrounds you.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the ‘Rata Café’ with views across the lower lake and before you depart Zealandia visit the store where you can purchase high quality, New Zealand made items.
Click on Images to enlarge:
