Zealandia Twilight Tour
Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour
from $63.22 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting point
- Zealandia Visitor Centre, Karori
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Run by
- Zealandia
Overview
This guided twilight walk runs for two hours and 30 minutes inside Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley. You meet your guide at the Zealandia Visitors Centre at the end of Waiapu Road in Karori, then walk the valley as the daytime birds settle and the nocturnal ones stir. Guides lead a maximum of 12 travellers, pausing to spot birds, lizards and, on lucky nights, kiwi by sound or sight. Somewhere along the track you stop for hot kawakawa tea, a herbal brew served in the forest.
The timing is the whole point. One reviewer heard kiwi calls on a night when no bird showed itself, and another watched a wild tuatara. Guides are consistently praised for their conservation knowledge and their ear for bird song.
Two practical bonuses sweeten the deal. Entry to Zealandia as a general admission visitor is included for the day of the tour or the day after, so you can walk the valley at your own pace in daylight. The tour runs in all weather, ends where it started, and suits anyone with moderate fitness aged five and up.
- Zealandia Day Tour, Small Group$40.23
- Zealandia Twilight Tour (this tour)$63.22
- Zealandia Night Tour, Small Group$68.97
What's Included
Included
- Guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley
- Entry to Zealandia as a general admission visitor on the day of or day after your tour
- Coffee and/or Tea (Hot kawakawa tea (a natural herbal tea) is served on the tour, to enjoy in the forest.)
Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
- Meet at ZealandiaArrive at the Zealandia Visitors Centre, end of Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington, 15 minutes before the tour start time. At night the operator recommends booking a taxi or rideshare.
- Guided twilight walkA guided walking tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley, lasting 2 hours 30 minutes, with the admission ticket included. Hot kawakawa tea is served along the way.
- Optional extra day entryEntry to Zealandia as a general admission visitor on the day of or the day after your tour is included at no extra fee.
- Tour endsThe activity finishes back at the meeting point at the Visitors Centre.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical things shape the experience, from footwear to timing your extra day entry.
$63.22from, per person
2.5 hoursduration
4.8across 79 guest reviews
12guests at most
- Footwear and layers. Wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers and carry a waterproof jacket, since the tour operates in all weather. One reviewer advises wearing comfortable closed shoes. Dress for the conditions rather than assuming a mild evening.
- Fitness and pace. Travellers should have a moderate level of physical fitness, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Reviewers call it a nice, easy walk rather than a strenuous hike. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age is five.
- Kiwi expectations. Some saw them, many heard calls instead, and guides are praised for their skill at spotting birds by sound. Going in with patience, as one reviewer put it, serves you better than expecting a guaranteed sighting.
- Getting there. No hotel transfer is offered, so you make your own way to Karori. A taxi or rideshare is recommended at night, and the site is near public transportation. One reviewer also mentioned a free shuttle from the top of the cable car station and buses linking downtown with Zealandia.
- Food and drink. Hot kawakawa tea, a natural herbal tea, is served on the tour in the forest. Beyond that, food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand. One reviewer suggests planning extra time in the reserve, since day entry is included in the tour price.
- Group feel. The tour caps numbers at a maximum of 12 travellers.
Common issues. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for it. Cut-off times for cancellations and changes are based on local time.
Common Questions
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
No. There is no hotel transfer on this tour. You meet your guide at the Zealandia Visitors Centre at the end of Waiapu Road in Karori, and booking a taxi or rideshare to get there at night is recommended.
What Does The Tour Include?
It covers a guided walking tour of The Exhibition and Sanctuary Valley with admission, plus hot kawakawa tea served in the forest. It also includes general admission entry to Zealandia for the day of or the day after your tour. Food, drinks beyond the tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Will I See A Kiwi?
Not guaranteed. Reviews are mixed: some travellers spotted kiwi, while others only heard their calls. Guides are repeatedly praised for their ability to locate birds by sight and sound, and there is plenty of other wildlife, including tuatara, kaka and lizards.
Is It Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?
Children aged five and over can join but must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level. Reviewers describe the walk itself as easy.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times use the local experience time.
What Should I Wear And Bring?
Wear sturdy footwear and bring extra layers plus a waterproof jacket, as the tour runs in all weather. One reviewer noted bug spray was not needed. Arrive 15 minutes before the start time.
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