Hamilton Zoo
One of New Zealand’s major zoos, home to southern white rhinos, Sumatran tigers, chimpanzees and native New Zealand birds, with walk-in free-flight aviaries.
Hamilton Zoo sits on the western outskirts of the city, covering about 25 hectares and housing around 500 animals. These include southern white rhinoceroses, Sumatran tigers, chimpanzees, giraffes and zebras, as well as rare native New Zealand birds such as kiwi and takahē. The Free Flight Aviary lets you walk inside and get close to the birds. Keepers give talks and feeding sessions daily, and some paid experiences let you feed giraffes or rhinos up close. Adult admission is about NZ$30. Opening hours are 09:00–16:30, with last entry at 15:30. It is about a 15-minute drive from the city centre, and the adjacent Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is next door.
Opening hours
09:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Hamilton Lake Domain (Lake Rotoroa)
- Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
- Waikato River Paths & Te Awa River Ride
- Hamilton Gardens
- Zealong Tea Estate
- Hakarimata Summit Track
- Mount Pirongia
- Cambridge