Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a top Christchurch attraction committed to preserving New Zealand's ra
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Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is one of Christchurch's most popular visitor attractions offering great family entertainment, an award winning restaurant in a unique setting, a kiwi breeding and conservation programme, rare breeds farmyard area and much more. Pricing:
Adults $32.50
Seniors / Student (with ID) $26.00
Children 5 – 15 years (must be accompanied by an adult) $12.00
Under 5 years of age F

ree of Charge
Family Day Pass (2 adults, 2 children) $81.00, Add on extra children $6 each

Visit our website for details of what we have for you and your family to enjoy.

You’ve asked and we’ve listened…We’re excited to announce that a brand-new annual membership is on its way in July. Intr...
18/06/2026

You’ve asked and we’ve listened…

We’re excited to announce that a brand-new annual membership is on its way in July. Introducing the Wild & Ice Annual Membership, giving members unlimited visits to both Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the International Antarctic Centre for 12 months.

To celebrate, we’re inviting creative young artists to design the official membership card. If you have a child aged 5–15, this is their chance to have their artwork featured on the card carried by Wild & Ice members.

The winning design will become the official Wild & Ice Annual Membership card, and the winner will receive a family Wild & Ice Annual Membership.

Entries close 28 June, 2026.

Find out more and download the entry form at:
willowbank.co.nz/joint-annual-membership

17/06/2026

Behind the Scenes: Bedtime Series | Part 2

Next up in our bedtime rounds are the miniature Galloways.

As Willowbank winds down for the evening, our team is busy making sure everyone is settled in for the night; including these furry favourites!

Stay tuned for Part 3…

This National Volunteer Week, we're celebrating the incredible people who help make Willowbank such a special place.From...
16/06/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we're celebrating the incredible people who help make Willowbank such a special place.

From preparing diets and caring for habitats, to supporting conservation projects and creating memorable visitor experiences, our volunteers play a vital role in everything we do. Their passion, dedication, and willingness to give their time helps us connect people with wildlife and protect the animals and environments we care for every day.

With 89 active volunteers currently supporting Willowbank, we're grateful for every hour, every helping hand, and every smile shared along the way.

To all of our volunteers; thank you! Your contribution makes a real difference, and we're proud to have you as part of the Willowbank whānau.

13/06/2026

One of our Club Willowbank members, Yolandi, sent us this very special interaction with Mr Black, one of our Red-tailed Cockatoos.

Mr Black is 6 years old and part of a bonded pair with Mrs Black, who’s usually not far away and isn’t shy about letting everyone know when she’s watching… 👀

In winter (breeding season), Mr Black can get a bit more confident and has a habit of choosing his favourite people… Yolandi happens to be one of the lucky ones. 😌

Thanks for sharing this moment with us, Yolandi!

Video via Yolandi O'Reilly

11/06/2026

Beyond the Gates: Bedtime Series | Part 1

The sun is setting at Willowbank and the visitors are heading home, but the day isn’t over for our team just yet.

Lucky the Shetland pony and Rocco the Clydesdale are settling in for the evening as Keeper Dan takes you beyond the gates and behind the scenes at Willowbank.

Gary’s daily schedule: 🐓1. Remind everyone that it’s morning2. Patrol the river3. Greet visitors4. Paddle with the eels5...
03/06/2026

Gary’s daily schedule: 🐓

1. Remind everyone that it’s morning
2. Patrol the river
3. Greet visitors
4. Paddle with the eels
5. Loiter near The Barn sign and act as a guide
6. End the day by roosting on the skinniest post imaginable
7. Repeat steps 1–6

While the rest of the farmyard crew are happy sticking close to home, Gary our Brahma rooster prefers life on the river side of the park. You’ll often spot him welcoming visitors as they arrive or keeping watch near the sign pointing towards The Barn. Some staff have even spotted him paddling alongside the eels!

And despite having plenty of perfectly good places to sleep, Gary always seems to choose the skinniest post he can find. 🫠

These photos and video, snapped by our General Manager Kirsty late last night and again first thing this morning, show exactly where Gary spent the night, and where he was still perched come sunrise.

We’re not entirely sure why Gary insists on sleeping there. We’re just impressed he hasn’t fallen off. 🤷‍♀️

King’s Birthday plans? We’re open all long weekend; including Monday! 👑Spend the day exploring, meeting your favourite a...
27/05/2026

King’s Birthday plans? We’re open all long weekend; including Monday! 👑

Spend the day exploring, meeting your favourite animals and making the most of the extra day off.

Keep an eye out for one of our colourful locals - the red-crowned parakeet, otherwise known as the red-fronted kākāriki.

Stop your scrolling... because it's World Otter Day today! 🥹Today we're celebrating our raft of Asian small-clawed otter...
26/05/2026

Stop your scrolling... because it's World Otter Day today! 🥹

Today we're celebrating our raft of Asian small-clawed otters - the world’s smallest otter species.

Playful, curious and always keeping us entertained, they’re hard not to love.

Drop a 🦦 below if they’re one of your Willowbank favourites.

Bzzzt today is World Bee Day! 🐝💛NZ has 28 species of native bees, but unlike honeybees, our native bees are mostly solit...
19/05/2026

Bzzzt today is World Bee Day! 🐝💛

NZ has 28 species of native bees, but unlike honeybees, our native bees are mostly solitary and don’t live in hives or make honey. Instead, they make their homes in the ground or small holes in wood.

Today we're celebrating these tiny pollinators and the huge role they play in helping keep our ecosystems and plants thriving in Aotearoa and across the world.

Did you know we offer a Bee Encounter at Willowbank? This encounter is available to book in spring and summer, when the bees are at their busiest. As we head into winter, the bees become less active and take a well-earned rest.

Learn more: willowbank.co.nz/bee-encounter/

18/05/2026

Coffee brewing + fire crackling = peak morning energy at Willowbank 🙌

Address

60 Hussey Road, Northwood
Christchurch
8051

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6433596226

Website

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