Zealandia eco wildlife tour: Native birds and conservation

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration2h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN · CM

Mobile ticketAccepted

Kākā, takahē and tuatara on the forest tracks of a working sanctuary

Zealandia is a 2-hour guided eco wildlife tour through a mainland sanctuary where you walk forest tracks with an expert guide and spot native New Zealand birds and reptiles at feeding stations. The tour opens with an exhibition film explaining the sanctuary's conservation work, then moves into the forest to search for kākā (bush parrots), kakariki, tūī, bellbirds, the critically endangered takahē, tīeke (saddleback), hihi, tuatara and green gecko. Groups stay under 12 people, and the guide's knowledge shapes what you notice and how long you linger at each stop. Tours run in English or Mandarin (Mandarin requires a minimum of four participants).

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zealandia Eco Sanctuary

Meet guide at Visitors Centre
Watch introduction film
Walk sanctuary trails
See native birds at feeding stations
Spot rare wildlife like takahē and tuatara
Take photos of wildlife and landscapes

The Experience

You meet your guide at the Visitors Centre ticket desk, where the tour begins inside the exhibition with a short film on the big screen. The film explains why Zealandia's conservation work matters—how the sanctuary protects species found nowhere else on the mainland—before you step outside. From there, the guide leads you along a variety of tracks and trails through the forest, stopping at feeding stations positioned along the walkways where native birds gather. The guide's expert knowledge of the sanctuary shapes the pace and what you notice: stories about the birds, the forest and the ground-breaking work happening here frame what you are standing in front of.

The birds you may see include the highly intelligent kākā (bush parrot), kakariki, tūī and bellbirds at the feeding stations; the critically endangered takahē; the busy tīeke (saddleback); the bright hihi; tuatara; and green gecko. The guide will point out where to look and what behaviour to watch for. Photography is allowed throughout, so you can capture the avians and the picturesque landscapes around you. The walk covers a moderate distance on forest tracks, some of which are wheelchair accessible, though the tour itself requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Arrive at the Visitors Centre 15 minutes before your start time. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the conditions. Children must be accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult's lap. Public transportation options are available nearby if you are not driving. Service animals require advance enquiry before booking.

What’s included

Professional expert guide leading the walk.
exhibition film on the sanctuary's conservation work.
access to forest tracks and trails throughout the sanctuary.
stops at bird feeding stations positioned along the walkways.
photography allowed throughout the tour.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zealandia

Is this one for you?Book English if you want to start whenever you're ready; book Mandarin if you speak that language and can confirm at least three other participants beforehand.