If you are looking for a Christchurch tour during your stay in the city, we highly recommend our range of guided tours. If you are visiting during the day, allow plenty of time to meander through the reserve and feed the animals, as well as gaining the extra insights our guides can provide.
Guided tours are one of the features of Willowbank Wildlife Reserve that make us one of Christchurch's most popular attractions.
Kiwi viewing is up close, personal and guaranteed.
Night Time Tours (after 5.30pm) - only available for groups
A great option in the evening is to enjoy a Kiwi Wildlife Tour. You will be guided by our knowledgeable park wardens through the Natural New Zealand section. This covers an extensive display of native and introduced birds and animals. Highlights include a walk through the ‘Alpine’ aviaries which house the world’s only ‘mountain parrot’ the Kea, and spending time in our nocturnal house with endangered kiwis. At Willowbank, we don’t hide our kiwis away behind a glass wall. Instead they are in an open and natural enclosure.
For individuals or doing an add on to Ko Tane
Tour start time is 4.30pm. Tour length is approximately 45 minutes
Email or contact us by phone to book your tour.
Kiwi Tours
Day tours of the Natural New Zealand section are at 4.30pm on request. Cost is additional to the Entry Price. Bookings are essential.
Email or contact us by phone to book your tour.
Breeding Tours
An exclusive guided tour behind the scenes of the breeding program for our endangered kiwi species. Learn how kiwi eggs are retrieved from the wild and then brought to Willowbank. Go through the purpose built viewing centre to look into the incubating room and see kiwi eggs being either candled, weighed or turned. Have a look through the large viewing window to see a newly hatched kiwi chick. The tour includes a walk through the Nocturnal House to view adult kiwi birds.
Tour length is one hour. Tour time is 1pm Monday to Friday. Bookings need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Weekend tours can be made by prior arrangement. Tours run only during the breeding season which is August to February each year (subject to variations).
Maximum 15 people per tour.
To book or for more information about our Kiwi Breeding Tours email us or phone.
New Zealand Conservation Trust
Phone: +64 3 359 6226 Ext: 704
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Club Willowbank ($99, $49 or $19)
Club Wiliowbank is taking the place of the Annual Pass. It is still the same great value but if you give us your email address and open the newletters we send out on a regular basis you will be eligible for other offers.
These offers include not only a years entry to the reserve but other specials as they are offered. This can include
- Priority booking for Junior Keeper
- Discounts on Children's birthday Parties
- Invitations to events held at Willowbank
- Regular special offers in both the restaurant & gift shop
This is the perfect option for locals, especially those with families. A pass costs less than the cost of two visits and gives unlimited visits to the reserve for a whole year.
The cost to Club Willowbank is $99 for a family of two adults and up to three children (aged 5 to 14 years).
Individual adult passes are $49, and a child pass for 5 to 14 year olds is just $19 (under 5s are free).
A Club Willowbank Pass also makes a fantastic gift! Gift vouchers are available for purchase at our front desk.
email us or phone.Family Day Pass ($65)
Family passes are great value for money. For $65 you get one full day's entry to Willowbank for two adults and up to three children aged 5 to 14 years (under 5’s are free).
Family passes are available for purchase at our front desk.
To buy your Annual Pass or Family Day Pass email or contact us by phone.
