Night time in Willowbank
Willowbank is open every night except for Christmas Night and New Years Eve with a range of experiences available including Guided tours with kiwi viewing, Maori Cultural Performances and a Taste NZ Dinner.
Kiwi Night Tours
At night, you'll be enchanted by our guided wildlife viewing tour through the 'New Zealand Experience' and delighted by the extensive display of native and introduced birds and animals that make up New Zealand's wildlife.
As you wander through the native bush like setting our guides will explain the unique stories of our fauna and flora. Be captivated by the ponds of giant Trout and Salmon, a walk through the massive 'Alpine' aviaries, which house the world's only 'mountain parrot' - the Kea, while tunnels and caves make this an area of constant surprise.
Of course the highlight of your trip will be New Zealand's elusive national symbol - the Kiwi bird. At Willowbank, we don't hide our Kiwis away behind a glass wall. Instead, they are in an open and natural enclosure.
New Zealand Kiwi birds can be viewed from 10.30am through to 10pm each day, all year round. You can visit our Kiwi friends in New Zealand's largest nocturnal house - during daylight. If you visit in the evening, they may be viewed outside under the stars (a world first). Either way this is a unique experience and our emphasis is on creating a natural environment.
A large amount of NZ Wildlife is either nocturnal or semi- nocturnal which makes for great evening viewing
This area also provides your guests with the opportunity to see some of New Zealand's other nocturnal wildlife, such as Silverbellied Eels, Possums, Wood Pigeons and the endangered Blue Whistling Duck as well as our very intelligent alpine parrot, the kea.
Along with the Nocturnal House other features of this guided tour are:
Eel Pond
The Eel Pond holds up to 70 short finned eels that range in weight up to 25 kilograms. Eels travel to the central Pacific Ocean to breed and the hatching babies drift back on the currents to New Zealand, where they return to the same river systems that their mother came from, as glass eels or elvers. They are very long lived, and large land locked females can be at least as old as 70-80 years.
Alpine Aviary
A huge walk through aviary containing largely birds from the alpine regions. King of them is the wonderful mountain parrot, the Kea. The drab olive green appearance is the perfect colouration for them, flashing a sunset of red and yellow colours under their wings when they fly. Even with their large hook-like beak, they are surprisingly gentle. Keas are well known as great characters, and often exhibit a sense of humour. Keas feed on a range of foods, including grubs, shoots, berries, nectar, etc, and are in rare instances can kill and eat other creatures such as baby petrels
Guests start their dining experience in an award-winning restaurant, acclaimed for its architecture and construction. With its floodlit views of surrounding wildlife and gardens, this very special environment has an ambience and atmosphere that is unsurpassed.
Ko Tane Maori Cultural Performance
Discover Tane Mahuta, the Maori God of the forrest and discover a people who live in harmony with nature and find out how our culture has grown.
Listen as your guide explains how the South Island Maori lived.
Be guided onto our Pa (village) with a powerful challenge and enter with a haka powhiri of welcome.
Be entertained with traditional dancing and learn the haka(war dance) and poi dance (swinging ball).
Feel the emotions of the waiata aroha(love songs)
Performances run every evening at 5.30 & 6.30 pm for 1 hour.
Options available:
Ko Tane Performance only,
Ko Tane and a Guided Kiwi Tour or
Ko Tane, Taste NZ Dinner and Guided KIwi Tour.
Prices can be viewed on www.kotane.co.nz/shows.asp
Return transport included from city centre with Ko Tane Cultural Performance.
Dinner
Combine dinner with a guided walk through the Wildlife Reserve for a unique New Zealand experience. Available 7 days a week, sample traditional New Zealand fare from our extensive Taste NZ menu. Compliment your meal with some of New Zealand's finest wines and beers. Bookings are essential.
The four course menu is priced at:
- Adults - $62.00
- Childen under 15 years - $31.00
- Children under 8 years - $15.50
- Children under 3 years - Free
- Please Note: Kea Menu price includes a 45min Guided Tour around the Natural NZ Area and Park Entry.
Willowbank Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is themed to Natural New Zealand and provides great gift ideas and momentos of your trip. It also provides a web shop for follow up gifts. www.willowbankshop.co.nz
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