Updated in October 2026, this Wellington Zoo guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Wellington Zoo, also known as Te Nukuao, is New Zealand‘s first zoo, on a hill in the Newtown suburb of Wellington. An adult ticket costs $28, which is higher than the $21 to $24 quoted in older guides. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current ticket prices, the opening hours and the bus route to the Zoo.
Quick facts: Wellington Zoo
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9.30am to 5pm daily. Open 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day. |
| Ticket prices | Adult $28. Concession $22. Child $14. Under 3 free. Family passes from $49. |
| Address | 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021 |
| Nearest transport or parking | Bus 23 stops outside the Zoo. Limited free parking around the Zoo and in the Newtown Park car park. |
| Typical time needed | About 3 to 4 hours |
Wellington Zoo opening hours
The Zoo is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm. It is open 364 days a year and closes on Christmas Day. The hours are the same all year, and there are no seasonal changes.
Animal talks run through the day, starting at 10am. Talks cover the penguins, tigers, snow leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, sun bears, ring-tailed lemurs and meerkats. The vets talk in The Nest Te Kōhanga animal hospital runs every day at 11.15am.
5 top experiences to book in Wellington
- 🎬 Take a full day Lord of the Rings tour – including filming locations and the Weta Workshop.
- ⛴️ See Wellington from the water on 90 minute harbour cruise.
- 🥝 On a twilight tour of the Zealandia sanctuary, see protected native wildlife – including kiwis.
- 🦭 Spot seals on a 4WD tour along the coastline.
- 🌿 Learn about New Zealand’s extraordinary conservation efforts on a day tour to predator-free Kapiti Island.
Wellington Zoo ticket prices
An adult ticket to Wellington Zoo costs $28. Tickets can be bought online before your visit.
- Adult: $28.
- Concession: $22, for students, Community Services Card holders and Gold Card holders. Bring ID.
- Child: $14.
- Under 3 years: free.
- Family pass, 1 adult and 2 children: $49.
- Family pass, 1 adult and 3 children: $59.
- Family pass, 2 adults and 2 children: $69.
- Family pass, 2 adults and 3 children: $79.
- Caregivers of disabled visitors: free entry with supporting documentation or ID.
Zoo Crew annual memberships start at $39 for a child and $89 for an adult. Members get 10% off purchases at the Zoo Shop. Close Encounters with selected animals cost extra and are booked separately. They include species such as giraffes, meerkats, lemurs and big cats.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in October 2026.
The Wellington City Pass includes Wellington Zoo. The pass gives a return trip on the Wellington Cable Car and admission to two of four attractions: Wellington Zoo, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, Space Place or an Introducing Te Papa Tour. The pass is valid for seven days.
How to get to Wellington Zoo
The Zoo is in Newtown, about 10 minutes from Wellington city centre by car or bus. It is at 200 Daniell Street.
- By bus: bus 23 stops right outside the Zoo. It runs from Wellington Station every hour on weekdays and weekends.
- By bus with a transfer: take a bus such as the 1 or 3 to the Wellington Hospital hub (stop C), then change to bus 23.
- By car: follow the brown Zoo signs, or signs to Newtown. The trip from the city takes less than 10 minutes.
- By bike: there is a bike rack at the front of the Zoo.
Check the Metlink website for current timetables.
Parking at Wellington Zoo
There is limited free parking around the Zoo. Spaces are right outside the Zoo and in the Newtown Park car park next door. Arrive early, because the spaces fill quickly on busy days.
Four mobility car parks are in the Newtown Park car park, next to the Zoo. One more is outside the REX Tremendous café at the entrance.
How long to spend at Wellington Zoo
Plan about 3 to 4 hours for a first visit. The Zoo covers a hilly 13-hectare site, and talks run through the day. Allow longer for a Close Encounter or a break at a café. The Zoo also runs holiday programmes and group sleepovers.
The Zoo has no luggage storage or lockers. Large bags may be stored in the front office if you ask a Visitor Service Advisor.
Accessibility at Wellington Zoo
The Zoo is on a steep hill, which can be hard to climb for some visitors. Visitor Advisors can show you which paths are more accessible.
Wheelchairs are available free of charge. Ask the Visitor Advisors on arrival. Toilets with wheelchair access are throughout the Zoo.
Assistance dogs are welcome with proof of vaccination, but they cannot visit some areas. Not all Close Encounters are wheelchair accessible.
What to see at Wellington Zoo
The Zoo cares for more than 500 animals. It is the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo and has cared for animals since 1906.
The Asia precinct has tigers, snow leopards and sun bears. A motorbike and a tuktuk are open for children to climb on. The African Savannah has giraffes, and a Safari Truck is a play feature beside it.
Meet the Locals He Tuku Aroha is a walk-through New Zealand precinct of native animals. The Zoo’s native animals include kea. Neighbours is the Australian area, where children can bounce on a trampoline like a kangaroo.
The Nest Te Kōhanga is the Zoo’s animal hospital. Visitors can watch the veterinary team treat sick or injured native wildlife and Zoo animals. Visitors can ask questions at the daily talk.
The Zoo also shows chimpanzees, meerkats, ring-tailed lemurs and penguins. A kiwi can be seen in the nocturnal house.
Families can use the playgrounds by The Nest, outside Kamala’s and throughout Meet the Locals. The Wild Explorer VR Experience and the Zoo Shop are also on site.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | The first animal talk is at 10am. The vets talk is at 11.15am each day. |
| Crowds | Free parking is limited, so arrive early or take bus 23. |
| Layout | The Zoo is on a steep hill. The café is at the entrance, and the playgrounds are spread through the Zoo. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets online. Bring ID for concession prices. |
| On-site logistics | There are no lockers. Ask Visitor Service Advisors if you need to store a large bag. |
Frequently asked questions about Wellington Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Wellington Zoo suitable for children? | Yes. It has playgrounds, animal talks and Meet the Locals. Children under 3 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Wellington Zoo? | Booking is not required, but tickets can be bought online. Close Encounters are booked separately. |
| Is Wellington Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes. The Zoo is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, except Christmas Day. |
| Is Wellington Zoo wheelchair accessible? | Partly. The Zoo is on a steep hill. Wheelchairs are free to borrow, and staff can advise on paths. |
| Are dogs allowed at Wellington Zoo? | Assistance dogs are welcome with proof of vaccination. Some areas are closed to them. |
Things to do near Wellington Zoo
- Wellington Botanic Garden: a 25-hectare garden in Kelburn, a short drive from the Zoo, with free entry and a rose garden.
- Wellington Cable Car: the cable car from Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden, in the city centre about 10 minutes from the Zoo.
- Cable Car Museum: a free museum in the original winding house, next to the Kelburn terminus of the Cable Car.
- Wellington Museum: a museum in the 1892 Bond Store at 3 Jervois Quay on the waterfront, with free general admission.
- Te Papa: New Zealand’s national museum at 55 Cable Street on the waterfront, with free entry for New Zealanders and residents.
Alternative attractions
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne: the world’s first fully fenced ecosanctuary, with 225 hectares of regenerating forest and birdlife, a few minutes’ drive from the city centre.
- Staglands Wildlife Reserve: a wildlife reserve at 2362 Akatarawa Road in the Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt, where visitors can meet local fauna.
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre: an unfenced breeding sanctuary for native wildlife in the Wairarapa.
- Seal Coast Safari: a four-wheel-drive tour from the city centre to see native birds and wild seals on the south-west coast.
- Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush: a native botanic garden and forest reserve about 5 km from the city centre, with free entry.
More New Zealand North Island travel
Other New Zealand North Island travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to see the thunderous Huka Falls, plus the Aratiatia Rapids, Wairakei Terraces and Craters of the Moon near Taupo.
- Practical guides to the Waipahihi Botanic Gardens, Spa Thermal Park and Hot Water Beach in Taupo.
- How to get the best out of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
- Tackling Auckland’s 16km Coast-to-Coast Walkway via One Tree Hill and Mount Eden.
- Kuirau Park, Rotorua: The public park with mud pools and steam vents.
