Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 151 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour worth booking?
Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Wellington, New Zealand, from $60 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 151 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (151)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $60 per person
Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. Enjoy a night discovering New Zealand’s evolution and natural histor
What you get
- Torches/flashlights supplied
- Guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley
About this experience
Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. Enjoy a night discovering New Zealand’s evolution and natural history at Zealandia, located just minutes from central Wellington. The discovery begins with a guided tour through Zealandia: The Exhibition, a state-of-the-art indoor exhibition showcasing New Zealand’s natural history and world renowned conservation movement. As darkness falls, your guide will lead you into the Sanctuary Valley, the world’s first fully fenced urban eco-sanctuary in search for little spotted kiwi and the many other nocturnal animals that call the sanctuary home. Witness firsthand why Zealandia has been named the top tourism operation in Aotearoa New Zealand 2023, winning the prestigious Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award. This is an unforgettable Wellington experience not to be missed!
What's included
Included
- Torches/flashlights supplied
- Guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Zealandia Te Mara a Tane
The tour begins with a short film and introduction inside the Visitor Centre's interactive exhibition. Afterwards, the guide leads the group on an exciting walk through the sanctuary in search of wildlife.
150 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Wellington
The ZEALANDIA Visitors Centre is located at the end of Waiapu Road.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The ZEALANDIA Visitors Centre is located at the end of Waiapu Road.
Options you can book
7:30, 7:45 Mon-Sun
5:00, 5:15 Sat Sun
14 Sep - 27 Sep 26
8:15, 8:30 Mon-Sun
6:45, 7:00 Mon-Sun
7:15, 7:30 Mon-Sun
7:00, 7:15 Mon-Fri Apr to Sep
5:30, 5:45 Sat Sun
6:30, 6:45 Mon-Sun
5:15, 5:30 Sat Sun
8:00, 8:15 Mon-Sun
7:00, 7:15, Mon-Sun
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Zealandia
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers of clothing and a waterproof jacket. Torches (flashlights) are supplied
- Minimum age is 12 years
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time
- To get to ZEALANDIA at night we recommend you book a taxi via your hotel concierge team or call Wellington Combined Taxis Ph: (04) 384 44 44
- Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility, or difficulty walking for 2 hours in low-light conditions
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 151 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
151 verified traveler reviews for Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Night to Remember at Zealandia
We had an absolutely fantastic Zealandia by Night experience on Monday and couldn't recommend it highly enough to fellow nature lovers. Our guide, Ash, was incredible. Her storytelling ability is second to none, bringing the history and wildlife of Zealandia to life, while her knowledge of the sanctuary's fauna was genuinely mind-blowing. We were incredibly fortunate with our sightings, including a male little spotted kiwi busily foraging for bugs, a baby tuatara, and a fully grown female giant wētā, along with plenty of other fascinating nocturnal creatures. The evening began with a highly engaging and informative presentation in the Visitor Centre, including a captivating film exploring the natural history of Aotearoa New Zealand. The tour itself was beautifully paced and packed with fascinating insights, and it concluded perfectly with a freshly brewed pot of kawakawa tea. A wonderful experience from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone who loves New Zealand's wildlife and wants to experience the ngahere after dark!
via Tripadvisor
It was a very enjoyable...
It was a very enjoyable and informative experience. The guide spoke with great passion and a real depth of knowledge. Zealandia is a true gem.
via Viator
Amazing experience that should be done
This was a fantastic experience, and we really enjoyed doing the tour at night. All I wanted to see was a kiwi, and I did, so I was thrilled! However, when the tour finished and we were told how many kiwis were in the area, we were surprised that we didn't see more. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and the headsets were an excellent addition. They meant everyone could clearly hear the commentary regardless of where they were in the group. Our only criticism was that we felt the group size was a little too large. We missed seeing the second kiwi, and my husband wasn't able to get a clear view of the takahē because there were too many people gathered around and he couldn't get to the front in time. An added bonus was that the ticket also allowed entry the following day. Unfortunately, our travel plans meant we were leaving Wellington, so we weren't able to take advantage of this. Had we known about this benefit in advance, we would have adjusted our plans to make the most of it.
via Tripadvisor
Great Activity
Such an informative, fun and healthy activity. It was a cold wettish night but as long as you are dressed for the conditions, it was quite comfortable and pleasant. We saw plenty of nighttime activity and the guide along with a volunteer spotter of wildlife were great. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience
Matt and Cami were fantastic. A wonderful and unique experience. I would heartily recommend this to anyone. Listening to and seeing kiwis was incredible, and I will always remember fondly.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $60 to $149
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 53
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wellington.
How much does Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour cost?
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Prices start at $60 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wellington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wellington is not rushed.
Is Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 151 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wellington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour?
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Around 53 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wellington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wellington and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wellington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wellington?
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On Outty we rank every Wellington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Wellington: Wētā Workshop 90-minute Tour, Overnight Experience Tour on Kapiti Island, Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wellington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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