We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience

31 Waiapu Road | Karori, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
+6449209200
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #5 of 134 attractions in Wellington
Book Now

Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Owner description: ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience is New Zealand's award-winning conservation attraction. Home to some of the rarest and extraordinary... more » Owner description: ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience is New Zealand's award-winning conservation attraction. Home to some of the rarest and extraordinary wildlife on the planet, our sanctuary is protected by a predator proof fence that encloses 225ha of regenerating forest, less than 10 minutes from central Wellington.Pick up a map from our visitor centre or join one of our popular guided tours. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
Write a Review

315 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    207
    78
    18
    7
    5
Date Rating
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013 via mobile

A new experience for me after so many trips to Wellington. A beautiful sanctuary in the heart of Wellington. Spend a couple of hours or a whole day. See if you can spot a Tuatara and check out the local bird life. Lovely cafe and shop too.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by EAS509 for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thanks for the great review. I'm glad you made it to the sanctuary and enjoyed your visit. We've recently made improvements to the cafe - it's the perfect place to relax after a walk :) More

Salalah
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Karori Sanctuary is brilliant however a casual visit for most locals is well out of their price range. Upon my last visit I found it more economical and just as pleasing to walk around the suburb, The sanctuary however does host free days, once per year I think, and these are extremely well attended.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by Fiona J for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Hi Fiona. Thank you for your review, I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Zealandia. Our eco-restoration programme is achieving great results returning the birdsong to Wellington and providing a vital lifeboat for our endangered species. By showing what difference the exclusion of mammalian predators makes on our native flora and fauna we’re helping to spread awareness of conservation and... More

Wellington, New Zealand
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

The bird sanctuary is one of my favourite places to go for a walk in Wellington. It is lovely and peaceful, with just the sounds of the birds, and some people from time to time. If I only have an hour I walk to the dam, then up to the lookout, and sit and wait for the birds to come... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Hi Karen, thanks so much for the wonderful review. It sounds like you have annual membership and are making the most of it. I'm really glad to hear your family has found the mobility scooter so useful and that you've also encountered the valley wildlife at night. We really appreciate your ongoing support and hope you continue to enjoy the... More

Manchester, United Kingdom
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

This place is beautiful and they are doing so much hard work to help the native species. Their night-time tour is so personalised and so informative you can't go to Wellington and not visit Zealandia.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 8 more reviews by monkeibb for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thanks for the great review. We like to keep our Zealandia by Night guided tours small and friendly; it's lovely to hear you enjoyed sharing the nocturnal sights and sounds of the valley. More

Singapore, Singapore
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2013

Lovely walking trails and wonderful weather to walk. We took a cab from the city center. We came with our 2 kids and they loved the walk too. Great place to enjoy nature, see some birds, and get a good walkout for the legs.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thank you for the nice review. It's good to hear the whole family enjoyed exploring and seeing the wildlife. More

North Devon
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2013

My husband and I visited Wellington close to the start of our first trip to NZ from the UK. We intended to go to the Botanic Gardens after going up the cable car, but decided to spend the morning at Zealandia and go to the gardens later in the day. In the end, we spent all day at Zealandia and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by SnorkelQueens for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thank you for the wonderful review. It's great to hear you made the most of your visit and enjoyed a full day exploring. The free shuttle can make it very easy to get around, and the public buses are also a pretty good alternative. I'm glad you visited at the start of your trip to NZ, I'm sure it helped... More

Geneva, Switzerland
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
28 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2013

I went to Zealandia because my New Zealand god daughter wanted to go there with her four year old. A friend tried to persuade us to go to the Otari plant museum instead as it is free, but we decided on Zealandia. Although it drizzled the whole time we were there, we loved the walks, the birds, tuataras, geckos etc.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by globalpilgrim1407 for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thank you for your review, it sounds like you had a wonderful visit. It's great to see young people enjoying nature too! More

Mill Valley, California
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

Zealandia was extraordinary! It takes lots of time to fully grasp all that is happening here. We hiked on many of the trails for hours getting to see lots of birds in their own habitats. Took lots of photos and loved being able to get so close to so many. Especially the fragile and endangered species. The inside portion of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by MichelleG149 for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Wow - so glad to hear you enjoyed your visits so much and thank you for the great review Michelle. There are so many tracks to choose from and things to look at and listen to it was a brilliant idea to come back and really make the most of it. Thank you for your support, it is appreciated. More

Auckland Region, New Zealand
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
7 attraction reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2013

We were lucky to visit here on a sunny Wellington day. The exhibition centre is a credit to those with the foresight to set this project in motion. So very informative and thought provoking. The cafe is well set out and well patronised. The setting up through a valley is a perfect haven for birds, tuataras etc., all protected by... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 8 more reviews by Jude L for Wellington
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Many thanks for the great review Jude. It's lovely to hear you had an enjoyable visit and appreciate the great work done by our staff and 450 active volunteers. We have a 500-year vision and you became a part of it when you paid admission :) More

Newcastle, Australia
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 April 2013

We went to Zealandia on a cold, windy and rainy day, which is not the most inspiring conditions. But we loved it - it was so fantastic to find a nature reserve of this size and quality virtually in the middle of town. We saw at least five different bird species, and would easily have stayed longer if it wasn't... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Lauren S, Public Relations Manager at ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, responded to this review
23 May 2013

Thanks for the excellent review Emma. Well done on braving the weather - the birds are still there and the valley has its own charm on such days. We hope to see you again for a longer, drier visit next time you're in Wellington. More

Travellers who viewed ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience also viewed

Wellington, North Island
Wellington, North Island
 

Been to ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing