Plan your Visit
Opening Hours
Open Daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm. Closed Christmas Day. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. The Kiwi Nocturnal House is open from 10.30am daily.
Getting Here
Willowbank is 10 minutes drive from Christchurch Airport and 20 minutes from Christchurch CBD. Willowbank offers free off-street parking and 100-110 car parks. There are four accessible car parks close to the main building for vehicles displaying a current mobility parking permit.
Food and Drink
Our café is open daily with a wide variety of hot and cold food and drinks. We have a number of highchairs available for use inside our café. Alternatively, you can bring a picnic to enjoy in one of the picnic areas within the reserve.
Facilities
We have three toilet blocks. In the carpark, main building and beside the barn in the farm area. Baby changing and disabled facilities available in the main building and farm area.
Gift Shop
We stock NZ souvenirs including a wide range of jade, along with giftware to suit all ages.
CHC Shuttle
Easy travel with CHC Shuttle, from Cathedral Square to two of Christchurch’s best attractions – the International Antarctic Centre and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.
It's feeding time!
Otters
10.45am
Eels
11.50am
Gibbons
12.45pm
Kea
1.00pm
Encounters
Get closer than you ever imagined. Our guided animal encounters take you behind the scenes for unforgettable, up close moments with curious creatures, expert keepers, and plenty of “wow" along the way.
Native Guided Tours
Discover Aotearoa, up close. Our guided native tours connect you with New Zealand’s wildlife, conservation, and the people caring for these taonga every day.
Walk-ins are welcome, but booking online during school holidays or weekends can help make your check-in faster and easier.
Most visitors spend 3–4 hours exploring the reserve, but if you want to enjoy the feeding sessions, an encounter, or a guided tour, allow a little longer.
Yes! We offer a Native Guided Tours and animal encounters with our Lemurs, Capybara and Bees (seasonal).
Check our Native Guided Tours or Encounters page for full details and to book.
Yes! We have storage available in our main building for bags and personal items.
Public bus number 107 stops outside Willowbank and can be caught from Northlands Shopping Mall in Papanui. Save the hassle of finding a park on a busy day and catch a bus – do your bit for the environment!
Feel like some exercise or live locally? Consider cycling to Willowbank. There is a bike stand for your use right at the entrance.
Willowbank is open rain or shine. Some experiences, such as our Encounters and Native Guided tour may be affected by the weather.
Umbrellas are available for complimentary use from the main desk (subject to availability).
Yes, we sell bags of compost for $6 each, or $25 for 5 bags. To check availability, please call us on 03 359 6226.
We want everyone to enjoy Willowbank, and the reserve is wheelchair and mobility-scooter accessible.
Mobility Scooter Hire: One scooter is available for hire at $10 (subject to availability).
Wheelchair Use: A wheelchair is available for complimentary use (subject to availability). Please note that some gates, inclines, and unconcreted pathways mean an able-bodied companion is required to assist you throughout your visit.
To book a scooter or wheelchair, please call us on 03 359 6226.
Facilities: Accessible toilets are available in the main building and farm area.
Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs accredited by recognised NZ organisations are welcome. Dogs in training are not permitted, and assistance dogs are not allowed in bird walk-through aviaries (Parrot Aviary, Kiwi House, Kea Aviary, Native Area). Please keep your dog on a short lead, present registration and vaccination paperwork, and ensure your dog wears a visible jacket. Pre-booking is recommended, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog. These guidelines help keep our animals and visitors safe.
Experiences: Some of our experiences may not be fully wheelchair accessible. To find out if an encounter or activity is suitable for you, please get in touch with us before your visit.
Willowbank Map
Download and print our map to bring with you, or grab a copy when you arrive. It’s the easiest way to find your way around and make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Download MapVisit Us
We’re open daily from 9.30am to 5pm - rain or shine. The only exception? Christmas Day, when we take a well earned break.
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