From heartwarming stories to unforgettable photos, each submission has reminded us of the joy and wonder Willowbank has brought to so many families over the years. Take a look at all the incredible submissions below!
We\'ve been frequenting every year for the last 14 years... my eldest daughter 14 still loves to come and my 7 year old daughter asks pretty much weekly if we\'ll be going. Needless to say we get annual memberships. We\'ve also.had many birthday parties, which are always so good. Thanks for helping us create such wonderful memories ❤️ -Cheryl Walsh
Fav animals to see with my mom and sister! -Gisele Mcallister
We always leave with such memorable moments. Once I put the empty bird food bag in my back pocket. When walking through by the geese, I was chased and nipped on the bottom much to my daughter\'s amusement. -Angela Gombert
Have loved visiting all the animals since I was a kid. The piglets are always a favourite. When I was 8, I was on a school holiday programme and I stood a bit close to the monkey enclosure. The cheeky monkey was grabbing my hair! Love visiting-Jenny-Marie -Jenny-Marie Evans
My daughter loves ducks, no matter the weather! We love how the ducks don\'t mind children getting up close to learn about them. - Valentina Morante Morley
My daughter who is 2.5 years old had the most amazing time at Willowbank. She loves seeing all the animals there and slowly getting the courage to feed the animals on her own. It teaches her the beauty of all the living being and creating a great memory for all of us. We are very grateful for willowbank. -Sushruti Adhikary
On my visit, there were so many opportunities that I\'ve never had before. I got to see kiwi up close and hear one yelling and proforming. Two kereru posing for a photo above me,and the goat that, even though I had no food left, kept getting me to pat him. I could have taken him home with me. -Renee Brown
We have had years of memories at willowbank! I went all the time as a kid and always take my boys. Earliest photo here is 2012! We love willowbank! -Samantha Caldwell
We love Willowbank, regular visitors over the years. Habe grown nieces now but when they were little we used to take them too. They loved the donkey rides. -Filia Armstrong
I always love hanging out with the keas, even though I always leave with a hole in my top or a broken zip (lol) I’m still grateful I get to see these awesome birds!! -Bella Brown
It has been an incredible experience visiting Willowbank regularly with my daughter growing up over the last few years. Thank you so much for the wonderful experiences. -Bobby Florkowski
Willowbank was one of my fav outings with my daughter from around 18mths. It felt like she learnt to walk there because she walked so much further with excitement. Always followed by rocking horse rides and snacks at the barn -Chloe Ballantine
My grandson loves the interaction with the animals at willowbank so my daughter takes him every week with a mums and bubs group and this day the keas loved her -Belynda Wilson
My daughter Aria\'s first visit to Willowbank! -Pallav Shah
This gem of a photo was taken about 8 years ago on a school trip with my class from Methven. I have taken many class trips to Willowbank in the last 30 years. It is a wonderful hands on learning experience for children of all ages and their teachers!! - Tania Goodwin
We took my daughter to Christchurch for her 10th birthday in July this year. All she wanted was a close encounter. What an amazing place and one happy birthday girl. Happy birthday Willowbank!. We will be back as we have another trip planned. - Karl Dulver
My baby girl absolutely loves willow bank and we come every second weekend if not every weekend and this was her favorite she loves the wallabys and this time one came over and gave her a kiss on the hand and ever since she is super obsessed with kangaroos -Roshini Brian
Candy floss thief, mere was very shocked, cheeky Kea. - Joanna Watene
I grew up going to Willow Bank with my parents. It is still my favourite place to go. I love being able to get up and close with all the different animals. It’s a great day out for young and old -Holly Hill
We have many memories: always having to \'drive\' the tractor, the talking parrot, feeding the Clydesdale horse and the pigs with the gnarly teeth holding their mouths open to be fed, turtles in rows on a log sunning themselves, being chased by a grumpy goose, watching the otters for ages, my boy losing a gumboot in the pond in front of the Capuchins and needing a keeper to fish it out, having a kea steal a muesli bar from my boy\'s hand, jumping out from behind a rock in the tunnel by the ferret to try and scare mum EVERY TIME, seeing a kiwi for the first time, hand-feeding the Capybaras, and many more. :) - Becky Wilson
My daughter loves feeding the eels. She also likes the pigs. -Amanda Gee
Spending my first born’s 1st birthday at Willowbank! So many hours spent here during his first years of life. -Alex Edge
Happy 50th Birthday Willowbank Team. We have the best time at your park and have many amazing memories. This friendly pink galah was a favourite memory of our last visit. See you again soon. -Jeannie Cherie Scott
My favorite bird of all time. Never did i dream I would have one on my shoulder - Bec Harris
My girl loves the sheep. -Tessa Bastin
My kids really enjoy when the animals come over for a pat. -Tasha O\'Driscoll
From our first (of many) visits to Willowbank. My son is looking forward to bringing his new baby sister to this special place when she is big enough! -Natasha Nightingale
I have so many Willowbank memories and am so grateful to be making many more.
My favourite recent memory is my son feeling nervous to feed the farm animals and then seeing the baby goat and wanting to try. When the wee goat ate the pellet, my son had,he got the biggest most proud smile and he said \"I did it!\". -Sarah Cawston
A few years back with ducklings xx -Elle Grobben
My daughter 1st time at willowbank she had so much fun feeding the deer and all the beautiful animals looking forward to taking her there again such a great place to take the family awesome memories -Ben Brown
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