Updated in September 2026, this Willowbank Wildlife Reserve guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a wildlife park in Harewood, on the edge of Christchurch, New Zealand. Adult admission is now $36.50, though several booking sites still list the older rate of $34.50. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect the change. You can book in advance through Viator before your visit.
Quick facts about Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 60 Hussey Road, Harewood, Christchurch |
| Opening hours | 9:30am–5:00pm daily |
| Adult admission | $36.50 |
| Child admission | $13.00, ages 5–15 |
| Senior/student admission | $30.00 |
| Family admission | $93.00, 2 adults + 2 children |
| Parking | Free, on site |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Willowbank Wildlife Reserve tickets?
- 🏛️ Kiwi with no glass barrier: Watch kiwi in a nocturnal habitat with nothing between you and the birds.
- 🎟️ Shows included in your ticket: Feeding times and encounters come with every admission.
- 🌿 Over 20 native and exotic species: From kea and tuatara to lemurs and capybara, all on accessible boardwalks.
- 📜 Free for under-5s: Young children go free with a paying adult.
- 💰 Rain-or-shine attraction: Open every day but Christmas, whatever the Canterbury weather does.
Opening hours at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve opens daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm, rain or shine. The only closure each year is Christmas Day. The Kiwi Nocturnal House opens slightly later, from 10:30am, so time your visit accordingly. There’s no separate weekend or seasonal timetable published.
Ticket prices for Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $36.50 |
| Child (5–15 years) | $13.00 |
| Infant (0–4 years) | Free |
| Student (with ID) | $30.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $30.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | $93.00 |
| Additional child on family pass (5–15) | $7.50 |
General admission includes access to the reserve, all feeding times and daily encounters. A separate Native Guided Tour runs for 45 minutes and costs $54.00 for adults and $30.50 for children, including reserve entry. Prices are current as of September 2026 and may change without notice. You can book through Viator ahead of your visit.
How to get to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
By car, Willowbank is about 10 minutes from Christchurch Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre, on Hussey Road in Harewood.
By bus, route 107 stops directly outside the reserve and runs from Northlands Shopping Mall in Papanui.
By bike, a bike stand is available at the entrance for cyclists.
Parking at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Free off-street parking is available on site, with 100 to 110 parking spaces. Four accessible parking spaces are located close to the main building for vehicles displaying a current mobility permit.
How long to spend at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Most visitors spend two to three hours here, including feeding times, a guided tour and the self-guided audio experience. Add extra time if you plan to eat at the café or picnic in the grounds.
Accessibility at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is wheelchair and mobility-scooter accessible on its boardwalks and paths. Some gates, inclines and unconcreted sections mean an able-bodied companion is recommended for wheelchair users. A mobility scooter can be hired for $10, and a wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge, both subject to availability. Accessible toilets are in the main building and the farm area.
What to see at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Kiwi. The Kiwi Nocturnal House opens from 10:30am and lets visitors watch kiwi active in a simulated night environment, with no glass between you and the birds.
Native and exotic species. Over 20 species live across the reserve, including kea, tuatara, lemurs, capybara and otters, alongside farmyard animals in the Heritage NZ area.
Feeding times. Otters are fed at 10:45am, eels at 11:50am, gibbons at 12:45pm and kea at 1:00pm, giving a steady run of daily highlights.
Native Guided Tour. A 45-minute guided walk with a keeper gives close-up access to kiwi, kea and tuatara, with reserve entry included in the price.
Café and gift shop. The on-site café serves hot and cold food, and the shop stocks New Zealand jade and other souvenirs.
Practical tips for visiting Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time it around 10:30am | The Kiwi Nocturnal House doesn’t open until then. |
| Catch the feeding sessions | Otters, eels, gibbons and kea are fed at set times through the day. |
| Bring a picnic | Picnic areas are dotted through the grounds if you’d rather not eat at the café. |
| Check the guided tour times | The Native Guided Tour runs 45 minutes and pre-booking is essential. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended in peak season, and you can book through Viator. |
Frequently asked questions about Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the current opening hours? | 9:30am to 5:00pm daily, closed only on Christmas Day. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adult admission is $36.50; some booking sites still show the older rate of $34.50. |
| Is Willowbank Wildlife Reserve wheelchair accessible? | Yes, though some gravel paths and inclines mean a companion is recommended for wheelchair users. |
| Can I get there by public transport? | Yes, bus route 107 stops directly outside the reserve. |
| Should I book in advance? | Walk-ins are welcome, but advance booking speeds up check-in at weekends. You can book in advance through Viator. |
Things to do near Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
The Groynes is a riverside recreation park with picnic areas, walking tracks and pedal boats, a short drive from the reserve.
Christchurch Airport is around 10 minutes away, handy for visitors combining a visit with a flight.
Northlands Shopping Centre, in Papanui, has shops and cafés, and marks the start of the bus route back to the reserve.
Clearwater Golf Club is a lakeside golf course and resort in Northwood, a short drive from the reserve.
The International Antarctic Centre offers penguin and husky encounters, about 15 minutes’ drive away.
Alternative attractions to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
The Orana Wildlife Park, also in Harewood, is New Zealand’s only open-range zoo, about 15 minutes’ drive away.
Akaroa Harbour, on Banks Peninsula, runs boat cruises to spot Hector’s dolphins and little penguins, about an hour and a quarter’s drive.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens hold extensive plant collections and duck ponds in the city centre, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
Ferrymead Heritage Park recreates an early Christchurch township with vintage trams, about 20 minutes’ drive away.
The Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa offers hot pools in an alpine village setting, roughly an hour and 45 minutes’ drive north.
More New Zealand South Island travel
Other New Zealand South Island travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Christchurch Gondola visitor guide: With ticket prices, hours and parking information.
- Braving sea-sickness on the Stewart Island ferry.
- Visiting the Royal Albatross Colony on the Taiaroa Headland.
- Glow worms and rare birds around Lake Te Anau.
- Complete guide to heli-hiking on the Franz Josef Glacier.
