Updated in September 2026, this Kiwi Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Kiwi Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Queenstown, on New Zealand‘s South Island. The attraction has rebranded from Kiwi Birdlife Park to Kiwi Park, though many travel sites still use the old name. Adult admission is now $64, up from the $60 several booking sites still quote. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect both changes. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about Kiwi Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Brecon Street, Queenstown, below the Skyline Gondola |
| Opening hours | Summer 9:30am–6:30pm; winter 9:30am–5:00pm |
| Adult admission | $64 |
| Child admission | $32, ages 6–15 |
| Infant admission | Free, ages 0–5 |
| Nearest transit | 5–10 minute walk from central Queenstown |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–2 hours |
Why book Kiwi Park tickets?
- 🏛️ Guaranteed kiwi sighting: See live kiwi in a purpose-built nocturnal house, rain or shine.
- 🎟️ Shows included in your ticket: Kiwi Encounters and the Conservation Show run several times daily at no extra cost.
- 🌿 Over 20 native species: From kea and tuatara to pāteke and weka, all within a 5-acre bush setting.
- 📜 A rebuilt landscape: The park now stands on a former rubbish tip, transformed since 1986.
- 💰 Free honey tasting: The Honey Bee Centre includes a complimentary tasting with every visit.
Opening hours at Kiwi Park
Kiwi Park runs longer hours over summer than winter. From roughly October to April, hours run 9:30am to 6:30pm, with last entry at 5:45pm. From May to September, hours run 9:30am to 5:00pm, with last entry at 4:15pm. The park is open seven days a week and closes only on Christmas Day.
Ticket prices for Kiwi Park
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | $64 |
| Child (6–15 years) | $32 |
| Infant (0–5 years) | Free |
Admission includes entry to the park, the self-guided audio tour, Kiwi Encounters and the Conservation Show, plus a complimentary honey tasting at the Honey Bee Centre. An annual pass is also available for repeat visitors, giving additional guests 20% off admission. Supergold members receive a discount at Guest Services. You can book through Viator to secure your visit ahead of time.
How to get to Kiwi Park
On foot, Kiwi Park is a 5 to 10 minute walk from central Queenstown, on Brecon Street just below the Skyline Gondola.
By car, it’s around a 10-minute drive from Queenstown Airport.
By taxi or rideshare, most Queenstown accommodation is close enough that a short walk is usually quicker.
Parking at Kiwi Park
Kiwi Park has no allocated visitor parking. The Skyline Gondola car park, a 2-minute walk away, is the recommended option, and validating your ticket at Skyline Guest Services gives a 20% discount on parking there. Wilson Parking and the Man Street Public Carpark are further options in the town centre. Large campervans should use the Boundary Street Carpark, since campervans aren’t permitted to park in the Queenstown CBD.
How long to spend at Kiwi Park
Most visitors allow 1.5 to 2 hours, covering Kiwi Encounters, the Conservation Show and the self-guided audio tour. Add extra time for the Honey Bee Centre or a private tour.
Accessibility at Kiwi Park
Kiwi Park is built on a hillside, with gravel and steep pathways in places, particularly around the Kiwi House. Wheelchair users may find these sections limiting, and hospital or transport wheelchairs with small wheels aren’t recommended. A caregiver assisting a visitor with limited mobility receives complimentary admission. Disabled parking is available at the bottom entrance via the service delivery gate; phone ahead for directions. The Conservation Show can be watched from the balcony or café area, both fitted with speakers.
What to see at Kiwi Park
Kiwi Encounters. Live kiwi are viewed up close in a specially designed nocturnal house, with sessions running roughly every hour throughout the day.
Conservation Show. A 30-minute free-flight show introduces some of the park’s other native species and runs several times daily.
Honey Bee Centre. A see-through hive lets visitors watch bees at work, with a complimentary honey tasting included.
Self-guided audio tour. A free app-based audio tour guides visitors through the park’s 5 acres of native bush at their own pace.
Private tours. A one-to-one guided experience with a wildlife professional offers close encounters with kiwi and tuatara, for an additional cost.
Practical tips for visiting Kiwi Park
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive 15 minutes early | Kiwi Encounters and booked experiences ask for arrival 15 minutes ahead. |
| Skip photography in the Kiwi House | Phones and cameras must stay off to protect the nocturnal birds. |
| Park at the Skyline car park | It’s a 2-minute walk, and validating your ticket gets 20% off parking. |
| Check the season’s hours | Summer and winter opening times differ, so confirm before you go. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended in peak season, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about Kiwi Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this the same as Kiwi Birdlife Park? | Yes. The attraction has rebranded from Kiwi Birdlife Park to Kiwi Park, though the location and species haven’t changed. |
| What are the current opening hours? | Summer hours run 9:30am to 6:30pm; winter hours run 9:30am to 5:00pm, both with earlier last entry. |
| Is Kiwi Park wheelchair accessible? | Partially. The hillside site has gravel and steep paths, so wheelchair users should bring an able-bodied companion. |
| Is there parking on site? | No. The nearest option is the Skyline Gondola car park, a 2-minute walk away. |
| Should I book in advance? | It isn’t compulsory, but advance booking is recommended in peak season. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near Kiwi Park
The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is right next door, with panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and a luge track at the summit.
Queenstown Gardens is a lakeside park a short walk from the town centre, with mature trees and walking paths.
The Steamer Wharf, on Lake Wakatipu, is a five-minute walk away, with restaurants and the departure point for lake cruises.
The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a walking track above town with sculptures and views, reachable on foot from the centre.
TSS Earnslaw steamship cruises depart from the Steamer Wharf, crossing Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Alternative attractions to Kiwi Park
Walter Peak High Country Farm offers sheep and highland cattle encounters across the lake, reached by a short TSS Earnslaw cruise.
Lake Hayes Reserve is a scenic lake popular with waterfowl and walkers, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining village with native bush walks nearby, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
Glenorchy is a small lakeside settlement with birdlife-rich wetland walks, about 45 minutes’ drive away.
Wanaka is a lakeside town with the Roys Peak walkway and Mount Aspiring National Park nearby, about an hour’s drive away.
More Otago travel
Other Otago travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to white-water rafting on the Shotover River from Queenstown.
- A wine-tasting tour through Central Otago.
- Trying out the soft adventure options in Queenstown.
- Guide to doing the Kawarau Bridge bungy jump at the world’s first bungy site.
- Practical guide to visiting Puzzling World in Wanaka.
