Timing – Daily at 2:00pm, check-in required 15 minutes prior. Bookings essential.
Duration – Approximately 20 minutes
Cost – $45 Adults & $25 Children (8+ years), plus the cost of Reserve entry.
Maximum – 4 people
Conditions – Encounters are available to participants 8 years of age and above. Children who are 8 – 10 years must have 1 paying adult per 2 children. Children who are 11 – 15 years must have 1 paying adult per 3 children.
Closed toe shoes must be worn and all Encounters are subject to weather conditions.
If you have any trouble booking, please contact us at admin@willowbank.co.nz
Timing – Daily at 1:30pm, check-in required 15 minutes prior. Bookings essential.
Duration – Approximately 20 minutes
Cost – $45 Adults & $25 Children (8+ years), plus the cost of Reserve entry.
Maximum – 6 people
Conditions – Children 8-10 years must be accompanied by 1 paying adult for every 2 children. Children 11-15 years can have 1 adult accompany every 3 children.
Closed toe shoes must be worn and all Encounters are subject to weather conditions.
If you have any trouble booking, please contact us at admin@willowbank.co.nz
An informative guided tour around our native section including the kea, kiwi, kaka, ruru and many more!
Timing – Advance bookings essential. Please contact us to enquire: info@willowbank.co.nz
Duration – Approximately 45 minutes
Cost – $17.50 per adult & $10 per child, plus the cost of Reserve entry.
Minimum – No minimum numbers required. Pre-booking is essential.
Timing – 12pm, check-in required 15 minutes prior.
Duration – Approximately 45 – 60 minutes
Cost – $45 Adults & $30 Children (5+ years, over 20 kg), plus the cost of Reserve entry.
Minimum – 2 people
Conditions – Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. 1 paying adult per 2 children.
Gumboots must be worn and the encounter is seasonal and subject to weather conditions.
Bookings essential – This experience is now available for bookings on 12th, 15th, 19th and 22nd January 2026. Please book at least 24 hrs in advance. For other enquiries please email admin@willowbank.co.nz
For those residents who love animals!
Join us for afternoon tea on arrival, followed by the opportunity to meet some of our friendly animals. We’ll bring them onto the fully covered café deck, allowing those with limited mobility to enjoy a taste of what Willowbank has to offer.
Availability – February to November (excludes weekends, school holidays & public holidays).
Timing – 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Cost – $17.50 per resident
Minimum – 10 people
Bookings essential – For more information or to make a booking please email admin@willowbank.co.nz
Q: Can we touch the animals during the encounters?
A: Lemurs are wild and take offence to being touched. They may come onto your shoulder, but that is up to them. Capybaras will enjoy a scratch at the keeper’s discretion.
Q: Can I just do an encounter without visiting the rest of the reserve?
A: Sorry no. The encounters are an ‘add-on’ experience to your reserve ticket.
Q: I’ve booked an encounter, do I still need to check in?
A: Yes. Our front desk will check you in, and go over the health & safety.
Q: Why do we have an age limit on children?
A: Our animals are wild and can therefore be unpredictable. Younger children may run around or be scared which might upset the animals. All participants must have the ability to follow instructions in an emergency.
Q: Why do children have to be supervised by an adult?
A: Our staff are required to have their full attention on the animals at all times during an encounter.
Q: Why do we have to wear closed shoes?
A: This is for your own safety as our animals may bite or stand on your toes causing injury and wound conditions.
Q: Why do cough/cold symptoms matter?
A: Our animals can catch colds and viruses from people, and they are much tougher to treat.
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