The country's first zoo with animal activities, playgrounds, and picnic areas
First time here, we will differently be back when up here again. Reasonable entry fee. Not far from the city. $15 for a Uber. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable very child friendly. Note there is some steep terrain ( at times ). It was amazing to see the lions and the giraffe up close not something you see everyday. Some animals are shy but that's their prerogative . I could spend hours observing the chimps, better than watching the bachelor with the Missus.
I loved my visit here. Took part in a snow leopard close encounter and the keepers were so friendly and knowledgeable. Every single keeper we encountered around the park was so welcoming and was willing to have a chat with us. You can really tell they all love their jobs and care immensely for these animals. The hills are quite steep so take your time walking around but otherwise the park is super tidy, accessible and easy to find your way around. ♡
Such a beautiful zoo - it reminded me of San Diego Zoo. We visited Wellington Zoo 9 years ago and loved it just as much today! We were treated to a great view of the Sun Bear, Snow Leopard and Lions! It was a drizzly cold day but it seems the animals enjoy that. Lots of great keeper talks filled with great information about the animals. I love that their is such a string focus on caring for the planet and animals with lots of reminders and suggestions around d the zoo on how to best support the animals (best wood to use/to think before you like posts with animals online). Will defintiely return!
It was easy to park and to follow directions to the zoo. We booked our tickets before the visit through Get Your Guide and we didn’t have to wait as they got scanned and we went through. We saw all the animals and stopped for a couple of the feeding/animals talks they had. Facilities were good with toilets, water fountains etc.. Viewing platforms and places to stand were great as you do have a clear view of the animals whether they are inside or outside.
Wellington Zoo is a brilliant example of how thoughtful space design can transform a relatively small site into something rich, immersive, and globally diverse. Built along the natural terraces of the hillside, the zoo uses elevation in a very intelligent way. Each species is placed within its own carefully considered zone, and as you walk through the space, it feels like moving between different environments around the world. The transitions are smooth and natural — never forced. What stands out most is how well the habitats are integrated into the landscape. The design doesn’t fight the hill — it works with it. Different levels, slopes, and natural contours are used to shape each enclosure, giving animals a more suitable and comfortable environment. 在设计上非常巧妙的一点是：它不是简单地“摆放动物”，而是根据动物原本的栖息地去组织空间。 Materials are used thoughtfully throughout: • Bamboo and natural elements create soft divisions between spaces • Glass viewing panels allow close observation without disturbing the animals • The overall palette feels earthy, calm, and respectful to nature Despite its size, the zoo manages to present a wide range of species from different parts of the world, all adapted surprisingly well to this hillside setting. It never feels crowded — instead, it feels curated. For me, this is not just a zoo — it’s a space design case study: • How to use terrain effectively • How to balance human experience with animal wellbeing • How to create diversity within limited space If you’re interested in design, this place is incredibly inspiring. And if you simply want to enjoy animals in a well-considered environment, it’s equally rewarding. A thoughtful, beautifully designed space — highly recommended.
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