A irrelevant guide to Zealandia; Wellington's eco-sanctuary

Have you ever wanted to explore New Zealand the same way Captain Cook did all those years ago? In a land that was completely and utterly green, surrounded by dense bush that is alive with the many different notes of bird song. To see a Tuatara, New Zealand’s living fossil, scrambling alongside your feet as well as catch the giant weta climbing past your face as you dive deeper into the bush.

Then a trip to Zealandia while in Wellington should definitely be added to your itinerary. Zealandia is a nature reserve surrounded by a huge fence to ensure that it is also a predator free nature reserve. It is home to many native animals including the rare Takahe and Rifleman. The noisy Kaka, a bird that gained its name from its distinctive screeching call it makes as it flies high overhead, calls Zealandia home, as well as the tiny Hihi, or Stitchbird. Birds of all shapes and sizes, colours and patterns can be found at Zealandia. This makes this a bird nerd wet dream. Let just say this is essentially Disney Land for bird lovers.

My Experience

I arrive at Zealandia excited. Also needing to go pee. I am here with my mother, my sister, her fiancé, her best friend, and my boyfriend. It is quite the party. My mother was grumbling about the cheek of our shuttle driver. He insulted Hamilton by informing her that Wellington botanic gardens is nothing like Hamilton Gardens as there is not a mullet in sight at his. My mum of course is mortally offended being a Hamiltonian born and breed and will properly hunt down this man later and quote all the reasons that make Hamilton special. We are no longer the chlamydia capital of the nation. This may be a good starting point for her.

Zealandia has a free shuttle service, where you get dropped off from the city to Zealandia for free. And who does not like free stuff, am I right guys. The shuttle can pick you up from Wakefield Street or at the bottom of the cable car. And it is pretty frequent. You also get great commentary on Wellington as well as Zealandia on the drive all wrapped up in a witty exterior complete with Hamilton jabs. Now, where was I. Oh right. We had arrived at Zealandia and I needed to pee. The toilets are on the first floor as you enter, and get this, they use recycled water for the loos. Zealandia is already off to a great start.

Tickets for general admission are $21. And these tickets last a total of two days. So, you can explore as much as you want then come back the very next day for exploring part two. That is a great strategy for tickets, you just keep going up in my esteem here Zealandia.

After purchasing our tickets we are meet with the doorkeeper of Zealandia. The Gandalf of the realm if I may. This lady will be the one to shout you shall not pass, if you have something a bit dodgy in your bag. This area is where you slug your bag onto a bench and take out all the contents to show the doorkeeper that you are not trying to smuggle in anything that will wreck havoc on the delicate eco system of the place. Apparently someone tried to smuggle a kitten in once. Hence this protocol is in place. So no wayward kittens get in.

Once the bags have been searched, you officially enter Zealandia and your bird nerd session can start. I was ready to throughly get my bird nerd on, complete with myself spouting off useless bird facts to anyone with ears. Did you know that tui have dual voice boxes? Or that Takahe mate for life? I know. I am a great companion to have.

After just a few short moments in Zealandia we are meet with two very drunk Kereru. They are throughly off their faces, I can tell because they are crashing into the canopies and they have a certain drunk glint to their eyes. If you did not know, Kereru often get drunk off the berries they gorge themselves on before flying off and promptly crashing into trees. Here I go again reciting bird facts.

Anyway, after getting their best angles with my camera we maunder off to pay a visit to the Takahe pair. This pair lives in the wetland area of Zealandia and they are an old retired couple who have given birth to a number of babies and now spend their days munching endlessly on grass. Seriously, that is all they seem to do. Munch, munch, poop. But, by god I could watch them eat and poop all day. They are very fascinating birds. I truly feel as if I have encountered a dinosaur when I see these guys.

**One Takahe eating grass from the Takahe Pair**

Continuing on we meet some noisy kaka flying overhead, as well as some tui singing their croaky tunes to us, until suddenly a cheeky robin stops us quite literally in our path. The North Island Robin is a gorgeous bird with long stilt like legs, and a puffy ball of a body. They are quite literally one of the most cutest birds you will see. They are also quite friendly. On a hike once, a woman suggested to me that to get their attention you get a stick and wipe it across the ground. This disrupts the soil, so all the delicious bugs come to the surface. This in turn gets the Robin’s attention, because this is basically McDonalds for them. Easy food with little effort involved. I do not know how long I was crouched talking to the Robin, but enough that I began to lose feeling in my legs.

There are feeding stations scattered around the nature park. These are great places to spot Kaka, as well as nectar feeding birds as they have a nectar food dispensing thing. When we approached, there was a bellbird feeding as well as a tui. And a few blackbirds and sparrows (I feel as if these birds also deserve attention. Because they are very special. Sparrows are cute as heck. And everyone knows, blackbirds are the bitchest birds alive. This alone deserves a salute).

**Bellbird taking a drink from a nectar feeder at Zealandia.**

You can walk up above the tree tops and end up atop of the dam as well in Zealandia. This is a great spot to take in the vastness of this place. As well as have a Titanic moment. I think something is kind of wrong with me, as I always seem to have Titanic moments wherever there is a long way down to fall. Maybe I have dangerous tendencies. Possibly .

**Having a Titanic moment with my Jack.**

Once I navigated people having selfie moments on the dam, and the innumerable prams blocking my way, I descended back down to the wild bush. Only to come to another crossable structure, this time in the form of a swing bridge. After getting that swing bridge photo moment, we proceeded over into what I would like to call Tuatara alley. If it is not yet called this, then you are welcome Zealandia. Name is free for your use. Tuatara alley is called this because well, there are a lot of Tuataras around here. You have to look over a barricade and look kind of hard, as the Tuatara blends in very well with the ground. Though, this barricade is magnetic and if you look out for Tuatara magnetics this is an indictor that there was a tuatara sighting at this area. And if you see a tuatara it is really helpful if you grab one of these magnets and move it to where you found it. This is a great system.

Also scattered through Zealandia is something called Weta Hotels. These are basically hotels for wetas. Little wooden structures that are attached to trees, which you can open up and see wetas who have checked in. If you are okay with creepy crawlers, this is very interesting. If you are terrified like myself, then there’s are best given a wide berth.

And then that was the conclusion of the trip. There is a gift store where you can pick up all the bird themed things, from a cute fluffy kiwi to handmade wooden earrings in the shape of your favourite bird. The giftshop is tight. There is also a cafe with food and hot beverages. We did not end up checking this out, but for those who need a refreshment after all that walking I can assume that this place fits that bill. I just have PTSD from paying through the nose whenever I go to a zoo cafe.

Important information

I am starting to add these to my guides. All the information needed to enjoy this experience. I suffer from anxiety, and knowing everything about a place helps me when I am doing new things. So I am hoping that perhaps I can help you out, friend.

How do I get here?

You can take a free shuttle from 152 Wakefield street and from the top of the cable car. Look out for a bus stop pole with Zealandia on it. The shuttle can only take around 12, so make sure to get up there early. Times of departure can be found here https://www.visitzealandia.com/shuttle

How much is this thing?

General admission is $21. This ticket is valid for two days from entry. You can also go on guided tours which cost a little extra but are a good time from what I hear.

Times:

Zealandia is open everyday expect Christmas, where they have a break with Santa. They open at 9:00am and last admission is at 4pm.

Toilets:

Affirmative. There are toilets. Both at the information centre of Zealandia and also during the walk there are some toilets scattered around. Make sure to grab a map at the ticket booth/reception as these toilets are shown on here.

Cafe:

There is a cafe on site that is called Rata Cafe. Upstairs from the gift shop. This cafe is open 9am-430pm on weekdays, and 9am-5pm on the weekends.

What else should I know:

When walking around Zealandia, you have a better chance of seeing birds of all descriptions if you tread light and keep quiet. Birds do not really like loud noises. Also, remember not to feed any of the birds or try and touch them.

Do not bring animals, seeds, or plant matter in your bag with you to Zealandia. Theres are a no no.