Top 10 Zoos & Aquariums in South Island, New Zealand

Looking for something to do in Queenstown for the family? Hold on to your seats, we’re taking you back to the beginning on a journey through time and legend! Head down under the Main Town Pier and travel back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, learn about how Lake Wakatipu was carved out by a giant glacier and experience the adventure activities you can do in Queenstown, all from the comfort of your seat. Time Tripper is a state-of-the-art animated show that takes you on a journey through time and legend, where you experience 90 million years in under 30 minutes. The show is approximately 12 minutes long, with 10-15 minutes of underwater viewing available after the show, where you can see the diving ducks, slinky eels and rainbow & brown trout.

Set in 80 hectares within 15 minutes’ drive of Christchurch Airport, Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. We get you up close and personal with the animals. Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; seeing New Zealand's only gorillas; eye balling the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, or travelling through the Lion Reserve! Over 400 animals representing more than 70 species are displayed at the Park. Regular animal feed presentations occur daily and are accompanied by a presentation from a wildlife guide. Visitors can enjoy the antics of tigers, cheetah, Tasmanian devils, monkeys, meerkats and more. Two large walk-through aviaries enable you to see some of New Zealand’s unique native birds and Orana is home to a wide range of native reptiles. Visitors can pet domestic animals in the Farmyard. Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species. When you visit, you are supporting our conservation work. It’s a full day of fun for everyone at Orana Wildlife Park!

See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.

Natureland is Nelson's zoo and wildlife conservation centre where you can get up close and personal to some unique New Zealand natives like Tuatara and Kea. Hang with the monkeys and get hands on with a range of interesting domestic animals. We are proud to be a community focused charitable trust so come on in and lets have a conservation conversation.

Welcome to The National Kiwi Centre The National Kiwi Centre is situated in the heart of Hokitika in an undercover facility that provides viewing of kiwi in our nocturnal house that replicates their natural environment. During your visit you can take part in feeding the giant eels (10am, 12 noon and 3pm daily). The eels are approximately 85 to 100 years old. After the Eel feedings you can see the Kiwi being feed. view the tuatara, New Zealands oldest living dinosaur. Try your hand at catch and release crawly fishing fun for all ages . We have lots of other fish and creatures to look at. And it's all inside so no getting wet on that rainy day

Meet amazing Marlborough Sounds creatures up close✓ Touch our rare living dinosaur (Tuatara - can live up to 250 years) Get close to rescued Little Penguin*, native fish and more ✓conservation in action ✓nature ✓heritage ✓explore & learn ✓family–friendly ✓FUN Get up close and discover some of the amazing animals that live in our beautiful Marlborough Sounds. EcoWorld’s knowledgeable staff share with you outstanding, intimate animal experiences with our animals that have been rescued, donated or bred by us. •Tuataras - New Zealand’s very rare “living fossil” •Little Blue Penguins - Wildlife Rehabilitation Refuge •Yellow and Red Kakariki - endangered parrots •Seahorses - New Zealand pot-bellied seahorses •Giant Squid - “Monster of the deep” •Fish - species from the Marlborough Sounds •Lizards, frogs, turtle refuge etc. •Orca and Hectors Dolphin - life size models •Touch pool, kid’s area, movies, shells, displays etc.

Currently closed to the public for renovation, the Research Aquarium (part of the University of Otago) showcases southern New Zealand marine life.

Salmon World is in Rakaia, the Salmon Capital of New Zealand, next to the beautiful Rakaia River. The unique Salmon Tales building, shaped like a Salmon, is situated right next to the world famous Giant Salmon on the side of State Highway One, only 40 minutes drive south of Christchurch. Take a look at the live Salmon, Trout, and other Freshwater species in Salmon World's Aquairum. Experience our 4D Movie Ride that will show you all the great adventure activities our region has to offer. There is also the great Salmon Tales Cafe, Rakaia Country Arts and the Southern Gateway Visitors Centre all in the same building.