Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
4.5 21 reviews
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Willowbank is a genuinely good wildlife reserve on the edge of Christchurch. It's split into three sections, farmyard, native NZ species, and exotics, and most people find the NZ native area the standout. The kiwi viewing is the main drawcard and for good reason. Unlike behind glass, the enclosure uses meshing so the birds come right up close. You can hear them snuffling around in the dark. It's pretty special.
The feeding and hands-on stuff is popular too. Eels, farm animals, capybaras, lemurs. Kids go nuts for it, but honestly adults do too. The walkways are designed to feel like NZ bush and it's well maintained. A couple of reviewers noted some enclosures felt a bit small, and the pricing sits on the higher side of Christchurch attractions, so it's worth knowing that going in. Use promo code RANKERS to save 10%, which softens the entry cost a little.
I'd give yourself at least two hours here. Bring a picnic if the weather's playing ball, there's a good vibe to the place. Good for families, good for wildlife lovers, and one of the more reliable spots in the South Island to actually see a kiwi up close.
Details
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Organisation |
Willowbank Wildlife ReserveCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch |
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Business Times |
Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, except Christmas Day when it is closed. The Kiwi Nocturnal House opens daily from 10:30 am. Specific encounters have set times: Capybara Encounter daily at 2:00 pm, Lemur Encounter daily at 1:30 pm, and Clever Little Bees Experience at 12:00 pm on select weekdays until Easter and during autumn holidays. Guided tours and retirement home visits require advance booking. |
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Promo Code 10% Off |
Use discount code RANKERS with Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and 10% off. |
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Zoos and Aquariums
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Reviews
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Lovely place for kids and parents.
Viola -
Christchurch.
James Huntzinger -
Good.
Jenny McTigue -
Great if you have little children.
Leidner -
The highlight for me was the kiwi house.
Ian
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100% to see Kiwi, feed eels and pet animals, nice activity for a lazy day, great for kids, bring a picnic!
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Great family owned wildlife park, on the outskirts of Christchurch, all NZ adventures great and small, natural NZ habitat.
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The name is a little misleading for it is actually a zoo, but a very nice one!
The walkways are designed in the fashion of New Zealand bush and the enclosures are wide and open. You can feed and pet a lot of animals, especially farm animals. I got bitten by a goose, but it did not hurt at all!
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Stunning birds, so amazing to get to see the kiwi.
A really nice place to go to to get up close and personal with wildlife.
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I have been to many reserves and this one is in my top 5!
So well laid out and maintained. Very informative and educational. The best part was seeing Kiwi!
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Beautiful reserve with a ton of educational material on the local wildlife.
A lot of care and love there and respect for the animals. Saw 3 Kiwi!
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First half of Willowbank is really impressive when you are walking around.
Beautiful surroundings and impressive presentation, but all of a sudden you are walking through building sites with no explanation. Kids loved it though. Will come again, soon.
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Good variety of animals - unfortunately some were in rather small enclosures.
Good place to see Kiwi before they are reintegrated to the wild.
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Quite expensive, but the best kiwi experience as there is meshing rather than glass so they come up really close to you!
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Great staff, the way the place is made is amazing, great for kids and adults.
Make sure you feed the eels, its great fun :)
good value!
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Great family owned wildlife park, on the outskirts of Christchurch, all NZ adventures great and small, natural NZ habitat.
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100% to see Kiwi, feed eels and pet animals, nice activity for a lazy day, great for kids, bring a picnic!
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Stunning birds, so amazing to get to see the kiwi.
A really nice place to go to to get up close and personal with wildlife.
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The name is a little misleading for it is actually a zoo, but a very nice one!
The walkways are designed in the fashion of New Zealand bush and the enclosures are wide and open. You can feed and pet a lot of animals, especially farm animals. I got bitten by a goose, but it did not hurt at all!
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Beautiful reserve with a ton of educational material on the local wildlife.
A lot of care and love there and respect for the animals. Saw 3 Kiwi!
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I have been to many reserves and this one is in my top 5!
So well laid out and maintained. Very informative and educational. The best part was seeing Kiwi!
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Good variety of animals - unfortunately some were in rather small enclosures.
Good place to see Kiwi before they are reintegrated to the wild.
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First half of Willowbank is really impressive when you are walking around.
Beautiful surroundings and impressive presentation, but all of a sudden you are walking through building sites with no explanation. Kids loved it though. Will come again, soon.
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Great staff, the way the place is made is amazing, great for kids and adults.
Make sure you feed the eels, its great fun :)
good value!
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Quite expensive, but the best kiwi experience as there is meshing rather than glass so they come up really close to you!
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Christchurch.
Very interesting/interactive experience with wildlife (deer) and a useful kiwi-viewing habitat. The Maori Culture experience was informative, tastefully and culturally accurate. And I got to be a Tourist Tribe Chief.
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Good.
Liked the handson and interactiveness with the animals. Looks a little tired though.
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One of the best places to see a kiwi that is not behind a window.
If you are interested in new zealand animals, than this is a must do. Nice to watch there too: Takahe, Keas, Weka ...
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A diverse selection of animals in a thoughtful setting, including the kiwi in his darkened room.
Entertaining for all ages.
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The highlight for me was the kiwi house.
I work as a guide myself looking for kiwi, however, I really loved the way the kiwi in the kiwi house were oblivious to us. I heard a pair snuffling, while over my shoulder another pair were doing the same thing.
It was only a fleeting visit ( while waiting for a domestic flight ), however, I know I will be back with my daughter - who will absolutely love this place.
Willowbank also does a great job in incubating Rowi eggs, then, nurturing the young prior to release onto Motuara Island.
Great Job
Overall the animals are very well looked after and it deserved more of my time - sorry.
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