Immersive Wildlife Adventure at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch is a must-visit destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts seeking an interactive and memorable experience. Renowned for its well-cared-for native and exotic animals, visitors delight in opportunities to feed deer, goats, eels, and even see the elusive kiwi bird up close in a unique nocturnal house without glass barriers. The reserve’s thoughtfully designed shaded paths and engaging exhibits make it enjoyable for all ages. Beyond animal encounters, the reserve offers a rich cultural experience with evening Māori performances, adding depth and authenticity. Conveniently close to the airport and offering great value, Willowbank is celebrated as a top wildlife attraction in New Zealand, blending education, fun, and cultural heritage seamlessly.
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Linda Yeoh
a month agoLoved the experience. Visited other wildlife parks and so far one can beat Willowbank. The animals are all well taken care of. The experience of feeding them especially the eels were 💯 My daughter enjoyed it too. Food at the cafe was also pretty decent! Price is reasonable too.
Milan
a month agoWillowbank Wildlife Reserve is an amazing, family-friendly spot with a great mix of native New Zealand animals and exotic species. The highlight for me was seeing real kiwi up close in their nocturnal house—no glass barrier and guaranteed sightings! The layout is easy to walk, with shaded paths and plenty of chances to feed animals like deer, goats, and even eels (which was surprisingly fun). It’s a perfect place for kids, but adults will enjoy it just as much. There’s also a Māori cultural experience available in the evenings, which looked awesome, though we didn’t attend this time. The whole place feels personal and immersive—definitely not your average zoo. Great value for money, close to the airport, and an easy way to see some of New Zealand’s unique wildlife up close. Highly recommend! Took well over 120+ Videos and Photos that cannot be put in this review because max is 50!
Amanda Touba
a month agoHighly recommend to visit this place if you’re in Christchurch! The Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was an amazing taste of all the local wildlife found in New Zealand. Coming from the US, I really enjoyed seeing wallabies, capybaras, and of course the Kiwi bird for the first time! There is also food you can buy to feed the animals, making the visit even more hands on and enjoyable! It was so fun, we ended up spending 3 hours here!
Jaybee
2 months agoGreat place to visit especially with family. Place has a lot of animals to see and you can also feed them. You just need to buy some animal feed before you enter. Cost around $4. Parking lot was full and we had to park outside the road as we visited on a public holiday. I give it a thumbs up will come here again.
STEK TAN
3 months agoWe enjoyed this lovely place near the city where you can get close and personal with some animals. They have a nice dark kiwi enclosure to observe kiwi. While they are not exactly a zoo, it's a great place for kids and animal lovers.