...or is it? We visited Auckland Zoo, Western Springs in Grey Lynn at the end of March 2006. Coming from the UK I've been blessed with growing up and visiting the likes of London Zoo, Drusillas Zoo Park, Bristol Zoo and Windsor Safari Park (showing my age) etc. These zoos have always looked ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Plenty to do and good value for money Disadvantages: Unsure of the transport links
...is it? We visited Auckland Zoo, Western Springs in Grey Lynn at the end of March 2006. Coming from the UK I've been blessed with growing up and visiting the likes of London Zoo, Drusillas Zoo Park, Bristol Zoo and Windsor Safari Park (showing my age) etc. These zoos have always looked dated and behind the times with regards to how animals should be kept.
On entering Auckland Zoo I was pleasantly surprised at how contemporary the zoo ... ...to see and do. Auckland Zoo is very much geared towards showcasing it's animals in surroundings as close to their natural habitats and has a pro-conservation vibe with lots of good information on hand.
Everywhere you go, a great deal of thought has gone into the surroundings and there is also something interactive to engage you at every turn (probably geared at the kids...but hey, I tried out everything!!). For example the monkey enclosures ... more
Ok a zoo is a zoo?...or is it? We visited Auckland Zoo, Western Springs in Grey Lynn at the end of March 2006. Coming from the UK I've been blessed with growing up and visiting the likes of London Zoo, Drusillas Zoo Park, Bristol Zoo and Windsor Safari Park (showing my age) etc. These zoos have always looked dated and behind the times with regards to how animals should be kept.
On entering Auckland Zoo I was pleasantly surprised at how contemporary the zoo felt.
Friendly, helpful staff, great signage, very clean and lots to see and do. Auckland Zoo is very much geared towards showcasing it's animals in surroundings as close to their natural habitats and has a pro-conservation vibe with lots of good information on hand.
Everywhere you go, a great deal of thought has gone into the surroundings and there is also something interactive to engage you at every turn (probably geared at the kids...but hey, I tried out everything!!). For example the monkey enclosures are a walk through a lost city, with native plants growing out of the walls and a mini monkey assault course to test out your mini monkey skills.
Getting up close and personal to the animals is another key attraction, as you get to walk through large aviaries with colourful parrots which make superb photo calls. You can walk through an enclosure of wallabies and emus. and kids will love crawling through the tunnels under the meercat enclosure popping up in the glass viewing domes at meercat-eye-level in the enclosure. The Penguin enclosure is definitely worth a look as you get to go below the surface. The beauty of this zoo is that you get to see more of the animals, large safety glass panels do away with the cages of old....feel safe standing next to a lion with an inch of glass between you!! Our favourite zone had to be the African plains, as you get to see the Zebras and Giraffes from a giraffe-high vantage point on wooden raised walkways. The enclosure is large enough for these majestic animals to get up quite a canter.
I could go on and on as there is so much to see and do here with over 150 species to keep you interested. If you are planning on seeing the elusive Kiwi on your visit to NZ then this is probably your best bet...check them out in the nocturnal house...if you're lucky!!
The zoo was very quiet when we visited as we were out of season and it was mid-week so I can't comment on how busy it can get. The food is averagely priced and the gift shop is large and well stocked. If you're in the area and looking for something to fill a few hours then you won't be disappointed. Just can't wait to take the kids next time!!
Adults $18 and kids(4-15) $9. Special family discount rates are also available e.g. 2 Adults + 2 Kids will go for $52. If you fall in love with a particular animal you can even take the chance to adopt one with several packages available at varying price ranges from $50 thru $500.
Advantages: Plenty to see and do Disadvantages: Expensive to get to
flights due to pressure from the consumer groups which should enable easier and quicker travel within NZ.
The main tourist attractions within the city include the Auckland Museum which is home to one of the best Maori and Polynesian collections in the world, the Maritime Museum on the waterfront, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World Aquarium, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, the Museum of Transport and Technology, the AucklandZoo, Cornwall Park and the many ferry and scenic harbour cruises which operate to the North Shore and islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
There are also a number of historic places and houses open for viewing. Fine views of the city can be obtained from the Sky Tower, Mt Eden and One Tree Hill (which was made famous by U2 on their Joshua Tree album). These are excellent places to catch the sunset on a beautiful sunny day ...
