Wellington Zoo is set to re-open its doors to visitors on Monday 18 May with free entry supported by Wellington City Council until 30 June 2020.

We’ve really missed our Wellington community and we know many have missed being able to visit the animals and people of Wellington Zoo. It’s fantastic that we will be re-opening soon for free, so all Wellington families can enjoy a visit to the Zoo with their loved ones and friends.

With support from Wellington City Council, the Zoo will be free with a pre-booked online ticket until 30 June 2020. All visitors will be required to purchase a timed ticket before arriving at the Zoo, to provide a contactless experience, to help limit the number of visitors in the Zoo and to assist with contact tracing. Visitors will have the choice of either a morning or an afternoon visit to the Zoo.

The Zoo will be operating differently under Level 2 to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and animals. People will be able to visit the Zoo and engage with our animals and people but we won’t be delivering our popular animal talks or Animal Close Encounters for now. We’ve put new processes in at the Zoo’s entrance, and have increased cleaning procedures and provided additional hand sanitiser throughout the Zoo.

As a large, outdoor space, the Zoo is an ideal place for our community to begin revisiting outside their homes. As long as our visitors are feeling well and are not in self-isolation, visiting the Zoo is a great chance to get outside, spend some time with friends, whānau and the amazing animals.

Bookings will be available via the Zoo’s website from midday Wednesday, 13 May: wellingtonzoo.com/buy-tickets/