Wellington: Zealandia Night Tour & Kiwi Spotting with Torches

Hunt for kiwi by torchlight in Wellington's urban sanctuary

You arrive at the Visitor Centre, collect a torch, and watch a short film on New Zealand's conservation movement. Then your guide takes your small group into the darkened Sanctuary Valley to search for little spotted kiwi and other nocturnal wildlife in the native forest. The two-hour walk is uneven and requires sturdy footwear and warm layers. Torches are supplied, and the tour runs regardless of weather. Just dress for it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night tour of Zealandia sanctuary

• Watch short film and introduction
• Explore interactive exhibition
• Walk through sanctuary with guide
• Search for nocturnal wildlife

The experience

The torches come first: handed to you as you step into the Visitor Centre, before the guide even starts talking. That detail matters because once you're inside Zealandia: The Exhibition, you understand why you'll need them. The sanctuary sits just minutes from central Wellington, but it's built around a fully fenced valley that's been rewilded to bring back species that had nearly vanished from the city. Little spotted kiwi live here now, along with morepork owls, tuatara, and insects you won't find anywhere else in the North Island. The exhibition walks you through how that happened (New Zealand's conservation story, told through interactive displays and a short film), and then darkness falls.

Your guide leads the small group into Sanctuary Valley on foot, torch beams cutting through the low-light forest. The walk takes about two hours, and it's not a casual stroll. You're moving through native bush on uneven ground, listening for calls and movements the guide knows how to read. The kiwi aren't guaranteed (they're nocturnal and wild), but the soundscape alone changes everything. Morepork calls echo through the canopy. Insects click and rustle. The air smells different at night. If you've never walked through a forest in near-total darkness with a guide who knows what to listen for, the experience shifts how you think about what "native New Zealand" actually means.

The whole thing (exhibition and guided walk) runs in all weather, which in Wellington means you'll want the waterproof jacket and extra layers mentioned in the prep notes. Sturdy footwear is non-negotiable on the valley floor. The minimum age is 12, and the tour isn't suitable if you have difficulty walking for two hours in low light or limited mobility. Getting there means booking a taxi through your hotel or calling Wellington Combined Taxis directly. Public transport stops nearby but the sanctuary entrance itself is a short ride from the city center.

What’s included

• Torches (flashlights) are supplied.
• Your tour includes a guided walk through Zealandia: The Exhibition with a short film and introduction, followed by a guided walk through Sanctuary Valley in search of nocturnal wildlife.
• Small group format with an experienced guide.

Options for this experience

15 options

7:00, 7:15, Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 15 Mar 2027

6:45, 7:00 Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 22 Mar 2027

Saturday and Sunday departures at 5:15 and 5:30Guide in English · Available from 10 Apr 2027

See 12 more options

Saturday and Sunday departures at 5:30 and 5:45Guide in English · Available from 4 Apr 2027

6:30, 6:45 Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 29 Mar 2027

Saturday and Sunday departures at 5:00 and 5:15Guide in English · Available from 24 Apr 2027

7:45, 8:00 Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 18 Nov · 19:45 and 20:00

8:15, 8:30 Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 14 Dec · 20:15 and 20:30

8:00, 8:15 Mon-SunGuide in English · Available from 30 Nov · 20:00 and 20:15

7:30, 7:45 Mon-SunGuide in English · 19:30

7:15, 7:30 Mon-SunGuide in English · 19:15 and 19:30

Monday to Friday departures at 7:00 and 7:15, April to SeptemberGuide in English · Available from 5 Apr 2027

Saturday and Sunday departures at 4:45 and 5:00Guide in English · Available from 1 May 2027

Saturday and Sunday departures at 4:30 and 4:45Guide in English · Available from 15 May 2027

Saturday and Sunday departures at 4:15 and 4:30Guide in English · Available from 5 Jun 2027

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 19:15, the last at 20:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Zealandia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see native New Zealand wildlife and forest in a way that's only possible at night, and you're comfortable walking two hours on uneven ground in low light with sturdy boots and warm layers. The darkness is what makes the kiwi and other nocturnal animals active enough to find.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

158 verified traveler reviews

5 ★140

4 ★14

3 ★1

2 ★2

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can you see kiwi on this tour?

Little spotted kiwi live in the sanctuary, but sightings are not guaranteed. They are wild nocturnal birds. The guide will search for them and other night-active wildlife.

How long is the walking part?

The guided walk through Sanctuary Valley lasts approximately two hours on uneven forest ground.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers of clothing, and a waterproof jacket. The tour operates in all weather. Torches are supplied by the operator.

How do I get to Zealandia at night?

The operator recommends booking a taxi via your hotel concierge or calling Wellington Combined Taxis through the booking platform. Public transportation options are available nearby.

Is the exhibition included?

Yes. The tour begins with a guided walk through Zealandia: The Exhibition, a short film, and an introduction before the nighttime walk through Sanctuary Valley.

Is this tour accessible for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not recommended for travelers with limited mobility or difficulty walking for two hours in low-light conditions on uneven ground.