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Discover the Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Christchurch, New Zealand

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Syarif Muhamad

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Nestled within the serene landscapes of Christchurch, New Zealand, two exceptional wildlife sanctuaries provide a haven for diverse native species and a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts. These sanctuaries, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the unique biodiversity of the region, offer immersive encounters with fascinating wildlife, educational opportunities, and a chance to witness the beauty and resilience of the natural world.

From the majestic kea, with its vibrant plumage and playful antics, to the endangered black stilt, teetering gracefully on slender legs, these sanctuaries offer a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of New Zealand’s native wildlife. Visitors can witness the playful antics of mischievous kea, the graceful flight of native birds, and the captivating behavior of endangered species, while learning about the importance of conservation and the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Top Wildlife Sanctuary in Christchurch, New Zealand

New Zealand (Māori: Aotearoa) is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, near the centre of the water hemisphere. It consists of a large number of islands, estimated around 700, mainly remnants of a larger landmass now beneath the sea. The land masses by size are the South Island (or Te Waipounamu) and the North Island (or Te Ika-a-Māui), separated by the Cook Strait. The third-largest is Stewart Island / Rakiura, located 30 kilometres (19 miles) off the tip of the South Island across Foveaux Strait. Other islands are significantly smaller in area. The three largest islands stretch 1,600 kilometres (990 miles) across latitudes 35° to 47° south. New Zealand is the sixth-largest island country in the world, with a land size of 268,710 km2 (103,750 sq mi).New Zealand's landscapes range from the fjords of the southwest to the sandy beaches of the subtropical Far North. The South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps while a volcanic plateau covers much of the central North Island. Temperatures commonly fall below 0 °C (32 °F) and rise above 30 °C (86 °F) then conditions vary from wet and cold on the South Island's west coast to dry and continental a short distance away across the mountains and to the tundra like climate in the Deep South of Southland. About two-thirds of the land is economically useful, with the remainder being mountainous. The North Island is the most populous island with 4 million residents, and Auckland being by far the largest metropolitan area in the country by population and urban area. The South Island is the second-most populated island, with over 1.18 million people, but is geographically larger than the North. New Zealand is situated on the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, making it one of the most active earthquake and volcanic regions in the world. The country has experienced several devastating earthquakes throughout its history. The New Zealand mainland is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) east of the Australian mainland across the Tasman Sea, the closest foreign neighbour to its main islands being Norfolk Island (Australia) about 750 kilometres (470 miles) to the north west. Other island groups to the north are New Caledonia, Tonga and Fiji. It is the southernmost nation in Oceania. The relative close proximity of New Zealand to Antarctica has made the South Island a major gateway for scientific expeditions to the continent.

Top Wildlife Sanctuary in Christchurch, New Zealand

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

  • Address: 60 Hussey Road, Northwood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (4327)
  • Phone: +64 3 359 6226
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand

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Embark on a thrilling journey through the diverse array of Wildlife Sanctuary in cities like Wellington, Auckland and Wodonga across the Oceania continents, revealing hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a local business or a multinational company, these cities proudly display a rich tapestry of profesional services designed to cater to a wide array of preferences.

The 2 Best Wildlife Sanctuary near Christchurch, New Zealand

Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand

Orana Wildlife Park

  • Address: 793 McLeans Island Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (3901)
  • Phone: +64 3 359 7109
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Vasile Remus Coman✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    Beautiful place to spend half a day. It is a big zize zoo in natural habitat. There is a lot of walking to do if you want a close-up look at animals. The shuttle is nice, but you can’t see much from it. Will be nice if the stops are longer to allow you to jump off, see the animals for 5-10min, then jump on and go to the next stop. During the visit, it was impossible to spot some animals like the tiger or some big apes because the building door was locked or they were hiding somewhere. It will be nice to be possible to see them. Otherwise, it’s a great encounter, and if the weather is good, it will be a great day.
    Andrew Barch✭✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    Holy cow, my kids (and myself) absolutely loved this place. Lions and tigers and keas, OH MY! Seriously though it was great. We got there at around 2:30 on Sunday Dec 31 and had the place to ourselves it felt like. We fed the giraffes. Saw the kiwi. Had a blast. Obviously you didn’t come all the way to New Zealand for a zoo. However, we did this on our last day and thought it was wonderful.
    Rose Clark✭✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    Great Wildlife Centre with a really impressive variety of animals. The enclosures all look pretty good and the animals are healthy. I like the fact they offer an adoption box system to help contribute to the long term welfare of the animals and the upkeep of the grounds etc. Even though it was very busy when we visited it didn’t feel crowded at all, and it’s very cool that they offer a little hop on hop off cart that drives around the whole park for those who don’t want to walk far. Would happily visit again.
    Faye O✭✭✭✭✭
    4 weeks ago
    Its a huge zoo, great experience! Though it was hot at 26° today and was a long queue, it moves fast and feeding the giraffes is fun and exciting.. The lions are healthy, the gorillas are aloof and adorable, lol.. Plenty of parking and picnic tables. The toilets need frequent check as it was dirty on peak summer season.
    Vinay Karanam✭✭✭✭✭
    2 weeks ago
    Beautiful place to look for wonderful animals and birds. This is the only safari based zoo in NZ. You get to see lions, tigers, giraffe, gorilla and more. Nice Cafe and souvenir shop. Free parking at the premises. Family pass for 2 adults and 3 children for $91 is a good deal.

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best Wildlife Sanctuary in Christchurch, New Zealand, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!

Comments

5 responses to “Discover the Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary in Christchurch, New Zealand”

  1. izzatil isma Avatar
    izzatil isma

    Great experience to explore with your kids. There are many different kinds of animals which can be found in this zoo. They can be watched from close distance, and even you can buy food to feed them. There are 3 different types of food you can buy at the front desk, for eels, small animals, and big animals. All of them love food.
    It is a nocturnal house inside where you can find kiwis. It’s slightly dark, and you need to keep silent, but interestingly, you can find kiwis by your naked eyes; there are just right in front.
    There is a cafe inside with nice food you can order for adults and kids. Additionally, the car park is also quite spacy.

    Reply
  2. robert o'connor Avatar
    robert o’connor

    This is a brilliant nature reserve be prepared to spend a whole day and it’s particularly suited to kids with an interest in wildlife.
    The whole park is nicely landscaped and several areas are cleverly designed so that there are no cages and one can directly interact with the wildlife. The kiwi and kea stops are a must bit to get to meet these rare birds but also to understand more about their conservation.
    Theres a good cafe and large gift shop

    Reply
  3. Phil Tad Avatar
    Phil Tad

    Really nice, interesting wildlife reserve and nicely laid out in a great location. There is a pathway for people to walk on and signs all around the reserve showing the way to different kinds of animals.
    As kiwis are rare, they are in a very specific place where you can see some live kiwis.
    It is a great place for families and kids to enjoy and on occasions you can feed some animals.
    The reserve has many kinds of endangered animals and species and it is a really amazing and wonderful sight. Photos and videos are very popular and there are also guided tours and some programs organised for kids, but you will have to check the website for information.
    Prices for entry are quite affordable for singles or families with kids. I would recommend a visit to this wildlife reserve. You don’t have to book in advance.

    Reply
  4. Glenn Williams Avatar
    Glenn Williams

    a great combination of native and non-native wildlife plus a farmyard petting zoo, a perfect outing for the whole family. the kiwi house and wood pigeon area offer the closest encounters of anywhere I’ve ever been, and walking amongst the keas in their habitat was also a highlight. the whole area is set amongst lush forest and bush, which attracts various other visitors, so a good opportunity for birdwatching

    Reply
  5. Aria C Avatar
    Aria C

    The animals are so cute! I spent around 3 hours here with my partner and it was great to walk through all the paths and find more animals, the farmyard animals are very gentle with feeding & the geese surprisingly don’t go crazy!
    They have extras that I will go back to do at some point, but for now, it was definitely a great day out just walking around.

    Reply

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