Wellington’s wildlife ecosanctuary comes to life in a whole new way at dusk! The hustle and bustle of the day is gone. The daylight fades and the native forest rustles with a variety of species. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne opens its doors just for you and the rest of your night tour group, to explore this incredible urban ecosanctuary by night.
Zealandia is one of Wellington’s biggest drawcards. Right in the heart of the city you’ll find this somewhat magical forest that is home to over 40 species of native wildlife. You are likely to see many tuatara, tūī and kākā, all before grabbing lunch on Cuba Street. Thanks to the impressive 8.6km fence surrounding the sanctuary and a team of relentless employees and volunteers (many, many volunteers), seeing or hearing a native bird in Wellington is not uncommon. Fortunately we can all support and enjoy wildlife with Zealandia during their 500-year vision of restoration.
1. Passionate Guides
Zealandia offers several guided tours, as well as the option to take yourself on a self-guided walk and explore the 32 km’s of trails at your own pace. One notable experience is the Zealandia by Night tour. Kicking off at dusk (after sunset and just before night), this tour allows you to see those that come alive at night. This is likely to include the little spotted kiwi, morepork / ruru and glowworms. Two guides start the evening tour with an intro video that sets the mood and provides some needed background information. Equipped with a red-light torch each and sheer excitement, you wander through Zealandia from dusk and into the night. With one guide walking ahead to spot wildlife alongside the track, you’re not likely to miss much.
2. Tuatara
The Zealandia by Night tour is an easy stroll along a well-formed track. What slows the pace down is tuatara sightings. The guides are experts at spotting these camouflage kings. They may be rustling through the bush or sitting, still on the forest floor. There’s nothing as rewarding as spotting a ‘living fossil’ yourself and sharing your find with the rest of the group. Tuatara aren’t the only reptiles found in the ecosanctuary. A number of geckos and skinks call Zealandia home. Frogs and multiple varieties of wētā are also slinking around.
To find out what else you might see, read more about the Zealandia Night Tour here.
3. Takahē
The takahē were thought to be extinct until Geoffrey Orbell discovered some roaming deep within the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland in 1948. These funky native birds are cousins to the pūkeko and are a real treat to see roaming in this Wellington ecosanctuary. Not only are they only found in New Zealand, but they are a story of resilience and hope for native bird species in the country. The team at Zealandia have a great deal of love for the two takahē that reside here, named Nio and Orbell, and your guides will help you spot them in the wetlands area near the lake. Keep your eyes peeled for kākā and tūī while you’re at it.
4. Little Spotted Kiwi
Just as the day turns to night the guides advise the group to tread quietly. This is when things get exciting. There are more than 150 little spotted kiwi in Zealandia and though a sighting is not guaranteed, you are likely to see one! Trekking through the forest as quietly as possible, you listen to the shrill of the kiwi calling. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, the guides focus on them with a red light and they appear entirely un-concerned by the tour groups presence.
5. Glowworms
See glowworms without having to dwell deep in caves! This certainly adds to the whimsical nature of the forest at night. Just off the main track are damp forest walls with hundreds of glimmering glowworms. Feel like a real explorer as you step just off the beaten track, red-light flashlight in hand, to get a closer look at these creatures. Naturally, you’ll only see glowworms at night. Just another reason to make sure the Zealandia by Night tour is on your must-do in Wellington list!
6. Native Flora
What a thing, to explore such a vast native bush in the middle of central Wellington. The ecosanctuary is extensive. It’s 225 hectares in size and their commitment to restoring the forest and ecosystems means you’ll see some impressive native flora during your visit. Kawakawa plants and lemonwood / tarata are pointed out by your guides. Crush some lemontree between your fingers for a strong, natural citrus scent! Mid-tour your guides take you to a seated area for a hot tea and a sit-down. This kawakawa or bushmans tea will become a new favourite. Glowworms dot the forest walls around you and the group is hushed to hear the nearby birds. This is not your average bush walk, but instead a complete experience in the dark Wellington night.
The cost of your tour is invested straight back into the sanctuary. Tours are a great way to support the conservation work the team at Zealandia do, plus see so much more than you would just wandering on your own.
This article was created in paid partnership with ZEALANDIA.
