Explore Staglands

For anyone on a trip to Wellington with kidlets, a visit to Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café is an absolute must.

Other known as Staglands, this open-air animal farm and petting zoo contains free tractor-trailer rides, feedings, parks, stables, gardens, aviaries, forest wetlands, and so much more animal goodness. An exciting opportunity to spend the day amongst the lush beauty of New Zealand’s wildlife and nature, this is one family fun day out that will never fail to disappoint.

Activities for Children

Staglands is a haven for children of all ages, with a wide variety of activities to run them ragged and opportunities to explore their inner animal whisperer amongst pure New Zealand nature.

Take them on a free off-road tractor-trailer ride, join the Staglands crew on their free lunchtime feeding tour, burn off some of their energy on the famous rope swing into the slow moving river, explore the old bush settlement and railway, or toast marshmallows on the cosy campfire down by the barn.

With so much choice, you can easily spend the entire day here (and have some fun yourself!)

Hours & Prices

The Wildlife Reserve is open every day from 9:30am-5:00pm except on Christmas, with Staglands Café open every day from 10:00am-4:30pm. 

If you’re running late in the day and want to pop in quickly before the gates shut, the last admission is at 5:00pm, but you need to be out by 6:00pm, lest you want to spend the night in the stables!

Day rates at Staglands are a competitive price, and good bang for your buck. Children 3 years and under are free of charge, children aged 4-17 are $12, and adults are $24.

Senior citizens and students are $19, and family passes of two adults and up to three children are $72.

In addition, if you think you’re going to be a regular at this phenomenal wildlife reserve, you can buy annual passes for a variety of very reasonable prices, depending on who the pass is for.

Transport

Staglands is located in Akatarawa Valley, a roughly 50 minute drive from the Wellington CBD. It can be accessed from both Kapiti and the Hutt Valley main state highways.

There is no public transport to Staglands, so the only way to get there is to bring (or hire) your own car for the day.

Top tip: although the road to Staglands is scenic, be prepared for some windy roads through the rural valley. Bring some paper bags just in case (trust us, we learnt the hard way!)