Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Restaurant

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Willowbank provides you with a "Kiwi Guarantee" and is the home of New Zealand's largest and most accessible kiwi viewing area. A unique experience, this is the only viewing facility in the world that does not hide the kiwis behind a glass wall. Instead they wander at ease in the open and natural enclosures, so close you can hear them snuffling about.

See one of the most complete selections of New Zealand native and introduced wildlife in a very natural environment. Many of the hundreds of animals found at Willowbank wander about freely and are able to be feed and petted. Bird, fish, eel and farmyard food is available at the admission counter. Willowbank - A very unique experience.

Willowbank's restaurant is acclaimed for its architecture and construction, with views of the surrounding wildlife and gardens. This special environment offers a very unique ambience, one of tranquility. The restaurant specialises in New Zealand wine and cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. Café and snack foods are available throughout the day and can be enjoyed in the indoor/outdoor café area. Many visitors combine a meal with a guided tour of Natural New Zealand.

The Willowbank gift shop is themed to Natural New Zealand and provides great gift ideas for those at home or a treat for visitors. Lanolin products, carvings and bee pollen products along with clothing, jewellery and souvenirs are among the popular items.

Ko Tane - The Maori Experience. Come and discover Tane Mahuta the Maori God of the Forest and discover a people who live in harmony with nature and find out how our culture has grown. You'll be enchanted by the Main Lands (South Island) Premier Maori Cultural Experience in its natural surrounding and delighted by the extensive display of native birds, animals and fish that make up New Zealand. Many visitors combine this experience with the traditional hangi meal in Willowbank's restaurant.

Open daily 10am-10pm. Kiwi viewing from 11am. Maori cultural performances twice daily.
Hussey Rd (Off Gardiners Rd), Christchurch. Ph: 359 6226.