Name: Orana Wildlife Park
Address: 793 McLeans Island Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand, NZ
Telephone: 03 359 7109

Orana Wildlife Park in Harewood is New Zealand's only open range zoo, spread across 80 hectares a short drive from Christchurch airport. Kids get to hand feed giraffes from a raised platform, watch lions and tigers up close, meet white rhino, and see kiwi, kea and tuatara in the native wildlife area. Giraffe feeding happens twice a day and is included in the ticket price, which is one of the highlights parents mention most.

There's a lot of ground to cover on foot, so a pram is handy for younger kids, and it's worth checking feeding times when you arrive so you can plan your route around them. The onsite cafe does proper meals with a view over the park, useful when little legs need a break. Under-fives get in free, and if you want to go inside the lion enclosure or the Tiger Den, that costs extra and is worth booking ahead as spots are limited.

Being an outdoor park, it's much better on a fine day than a wet one, and most families end up spending three to four hours here. It suits toddlers through to older kids, with the animal encounters and native bird house giving even short attention spans plenty to look at.

Opening hours

Sunday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Monday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Tuesday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Wednesday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Thursday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Friday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Saturday Today 10:00 – 17:00

Location

Orana Wildlife Park

793 McLeans Island Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051

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