Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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AU$31.86
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4.5
1,101 reviews
Excellent
657
Very good
352
Average
67
Poor
11
Terrible
14
Vicki E
Perth, Australia10 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We’d only gone 10 metres into the reserve and we had plenty of excitement feeding the ducks and eels.
This is an extremely well run tourist attraction with something for everyone. The variety of animals and the clever layout made it a great day. There are plenty of animals along the way to feed so if you have kids (or not), take plenty of bags of food with you. They’re only available to buy at the beginning and there are multitudes of lovely birds to feed. Also eels, deer, pigs etc. There are also lots of spots along the way to sit for a while and would be lovely if you took a picnic, otherwise the cafe is at the end.
We loved all of it but went to see the NZ natives which we did.
This is an extremely well run tourist attraction with something for everyone. The variety of animals and the clever layout made it a great day. There are plenty of animals along the way to feed so if you have kids (or not), take plenty of bags of food with you. They’re only available to buy at the beginning and there are multitudes of lovely birds to feed. Also eels, deer, pigs etc. There are also lots of spots along the way to sit for a while and would be lovely if you took a picnic, otherwise the cafe is at the end.
We loved all of it but went to see the NZ natives which we did.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excursion20001989113
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
We (Mum and 4 year old) arrived about 11am. The park was fairly busy, but it never felt overly full. We spent AGES just slowly walking around. We also spent about 90 minutes in the shade and watching the Magician.
After our first full trip we stopped for a late lunch and caffeine refill at the excellent Cafe (with full view of the deer enclosure) before a much faster second lap.
The second lap was definitely my highlight of the day. We had the place almost tp ourselves any by 4pm a lot of the animals (including the otters who were hiding earlier) were a lot more active.
Everything was clean, reasonably priced and the staff were fantastic, friendly & approachable.
The only downside was not being able to get a coffee whole We were watching the Magician ( honestly, it was too hot anyway, but I need my coffee).
Couldn't fault the day, I'm sad I'm not a local or we'd be back regularly!
After our first full trip we stopped for a late lunch and caffeine refill at the excellent Cafe (with full view of the deer enclosure) before a much faster second lap.
The second lap was definitely my highlight of the day. We had the place almost tp ourselves any by 4pm a lot of the animals (including the otters who were hiding earlier) were a lot more active.
Everything was clean, reasonably priced and the staff were fantastic, friendly & approachable.
The only downside was not being able to get a coffee whole We were watching the Magician ( honestly, it was too hot anyway, but I need my coffee).
Couldn't fault the day, I'm sad I'm not a local or we'd be back regularly!
Written 5 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shade_Jon
Jerusalem, Israel44 contributions
Mar 2020
A great way to spend a few hours. Many of the animals are not that exotic, but enough are to make it worthwhile. We got to see our only live kiwi here (a little hard to see in the dark, but better one dark viewing than none at all).
After the animals, we stayed for the Maori performance, which was a little touristy but, again, our only real experience in this trip with Maori culture, and great fun. A highlight of our NZ trip.
After the animals, we stayed for the Maori performance, which was a little touristy but, again, our only real experience in this trip with Maori culture, and great fun. A highlight of our NZ trip.
Written 30 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martyn P
London, UK194 contributions
Mar 2020
This feels more like a petting zoo than a wildlife reserve. Many non-native animals are on display (which you can see in any zoo across the world) and the kiwi display was somewhat ramshackle and misleading (given that the signs indicated more than one kiwi and half the space was being refurbished).
Places like Zealandia in Wellington are far superior.
Places like Zealandia in Wellington are far superior.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
9 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Lots of wildlife to see. Some are rescues - which is great to see. And they breed some kiwis for release. Feeding eels was great. They must make a packet on the food they sell to feed animals! Overall enjoyable for most people. Personally though not comfortable with animals that shouldn't be caged e.g. Limas, gibbons, NZ Falcon, Emu. And the toilets were awful.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee L
3 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
This was amazing for a toddler. You can feed the birds and the farm animals. They were all so friendly and gentle. My 2 year old loved it. For the adults it was also a nice experience since you are inside the enclosures with most of the birds. We went on a Sunday and it was not to busy. Would definitely recommend!
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy W
Vancouver, Canada1,819 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We spent several hours walking on the wooden and dirt paths slowly throughout the park. What a delight it was! There are birds everywhere. And not just sparrows. There are attractive and easy to read signs all over the place detailing the unique animal species that are located at Willowbank. There are pond areas and water areas everywhere.
It was a delight to see the children feeding the eels as soon as you walk into the park after paying admission. We caught the latter part of the magic show and loved it. There is a small little-used lunch area with picnic tables behind the magic show, and adjoining the toilets.
A great place for families. Easy to walk. Children love the smaller and larger animals, Especially the birds that are often roaming freely.
You can purchase a bag of small food to feed the birds and also a different bag of larger food pellets to feed the larger animals such as the deer. Make sure to purchase these small white bags when you buy your admission as they are not available elsewhere in the park.
And, yes, we were able to spot two kiwis in the darkened kiwi shelter. It was magical.
Thank you, Willowbank, for a delightful day. Please give me a link if you find this review helpful. You can also look for reviews that I have written for Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington as well as Brisbane.
It was a delight to see the children feeding the eels as soon as you walk into the park after paying admission. We caught the latter part of the magic show and loved it. There is a small little-used lunch area with picnic tables behind the magic show, and adjoining the toilets.
A great place for families. Easy to walk. Children love the smaller and larger animals, Especially the birds that are often roaming freely.
You can purchase a bag of small food to feed the birds and also a different bag of larger food pellets to feed the larger animals such as the deer. Make sure to purchase these small white bags when you buy your admission as they are not available elsewhere in the park.
And, yes, we were able to spot two kiwis in the darkened kiwi shelter. It was magical.
Thank you, Willowbank, for a delightful day. Please give me a link if you find this review helpful. You can also look for reviews that I have written for Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington as well as Brisbane.
Written 16 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed R
Blenheim, New Zealand710 contributions
May 2020
A very nice park for the family to enjoy interacting with various animals - NZ native and other. You can feed the eels as well as some of the birds and farm animals. It isn't anything outstanding, but the layout is good and you can have some cool interactions with many of the animals. The kiwi house is one of the best I've seen and we got very close to one. The kea walkthrough was also excellent.
Café was pretty reasonable too.
Just a bit chaotic at the entrance as there were restrictions in place as NZ moves down the covid-19 alert levels - encounters were being advertised but not the cashier didn't know anything about them or if they were running (they weren't) and everybody was entering and exiting through the same single doorway.
Café was pretty reasonable too.
Just a bit chaotic at the entrance as there were restrictions in place as NZ moves down the covid-19 alert levels - encounters were being advertised but not the cashier didn't know anything about them or if they were running (they weren't) and everybody was entering and exiting through the same single doorway.
Written 31 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2units
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK195 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This place never disappoints, each time we go there is something new.
This is the best time to visit as there are lots of baby animals - it’s not just for children who of course love it and get to feed the various creatures but also a truly magical place for their parents & other adults.
This time we were lucky to see baby capybara, piglets, baby gibbon & capuchin monkeys as well as plenty of ducklings (some of which even follow you along the pathways)
Another special moment was actually seeing two kiwi in their dark enclosure - on previous occasions we have only heard them.
The hard work & dedication of the people lucky enough to work here is supported by every paying visitor; helping them in the conservation of rare & endangered species.
It’s just great fun 🤩
This is the best time to visit as there are lots of baby animals - it’s not just for children who of course love it and get to feed the various creatures but also a truly magical place for their parents & other adults.
This time we were lucky to see baby capybara, piglets, baby gibbon & capuchin monkeys as well as plenty of ducklings (some of which even follow you along the pathways)
Another special moment was actually seeing two kiwi in their dark enclosure - on previous occasions we have only heard them.
The hard work & dedication of the people lucky enough to work here is supported by every paying visitor; helping them in the conservation of rare & endangered species.
It’s just great fun 🤩
Written 6 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sprog
england46 contributions
Feb 2020
Enjoyed the walk around the park, unfortunately half the Kiwi house was being renovated and we only just saw the shadow of a grown kiwi, guide however was very good.
Saw the Kea lovely ground but some of the areas look run down, the enclosure for the apes was very small, the horses were on concrete, ut looked healthy. Lovely to see hens running around.
Saw the Kea lovely ground but some of the areas look run down, the enclosure for the apes was very small, the horses were on concrete, ut looked healthy. Lovely to see hens running around.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillowbankWildlife
Christchurch, New Zealand
Hi there, yes we have free, onsite parking. Thanks
Written 19 December 2019
What time is it best to visit to have the most fun?
Written 11 November 2018
Usually mid morning
Written 14 November 2018
Is it still worth going if it's a rainy day?
Written 16 May 2017
WillowbankWildlife
Christchurch, New Zealand
Willowbank is a Wildlife Reserve so is outdoors but is relatively sheltered. Kiwi viewing is still guaranteed as the are in a Nocturnal House.
Written 17 May 2017
Is it still worth going if it's a rainy day?
Written 16 May 2017
It rained when we were there, supplied with umbrella, saw all the animals and had a great time!
Written 25 June 2017
Kumaran627
Singapore, Singapore
Hi, We are visiting Christchurch with a four year old kid in December. But we will be there for less than two days. Can we cover the entire wildlife reserve in half a day including a guided Kiwi breeding tour?
Written 14 November 2015
WillowbankWildlife
Christchurch, New Zealand
HI - Half a day will give you enough time to view the reserve including the kiwis. The kiwi weighing that someone has mentioned is not available as this was a special promotion during school holidays for 'Save the Kiwi Week'.
Unfortunately this breeding season is starting off very unpredictable and we are currently not able to offer the “Kiwi Breeding Tour”. However we do still guarantee you will see kiwi at Willowbank in our Nocturnal House with or without a guided tour.
Our Nocturnal House is rather unique in that it has no glass. There is a path which runs through the Nocturnal House with a small fence on either side and we have usually between 5-7 kiwi on display in here. We ‘guarantee’ kiwi viewing and the kiwi are often up against the fence within touching distance. We offer a Guided Tour through our Natural New Zealand Area (including kiwi, kea etc) at 4.30pm daily for an additional $10 per adult. The Guide will provide lots of additional information as well as ensuring you see the kiwi etc.
Written 16 November 2015
Will we be able to see kiwi if we go early in the morning? Eg 9.30am?
Written 12 November 2015
It is a good idea to do the Native animals section first - going round last to first as there is so much to see. We had quite small children with us so they were tiring by the time we got to the end. The nocturnal house is wonderful, be very quiet and you will hear the kiwis snuffling about & its so exciting when they call to each other. Enjoy !!
Written 15 November 2015
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