Our venues

Willow Island

For that extra-special event, Willow Island is a partially secluded venue situated close to the Band Rotunda in the centre of the Zoo. Surrounded by trickling water and beautiful trees, your guests arrive to this magical setting with private access across the classic Peter Pan Bridge. For that extra-special event, we can theme the island's trees with twinkling fairy lights for that magical feel. Willow Island is a wonderful spot for wedding ceremonies, evening cocktails or daytime events. Whatever the occasion, this picture-perfect venue speaks for itself.

Lion shelter

One of our most popular outdoor venues, the Lion Viewing Shelter will give your guests an extraordinary view of Pridelands. A rustic but versatile venue with both covered and uncovered areas, your guests will be able to watch our magnificent African animals up close! Suitable for cocktail functions for up to 100 guests or seated dinners for 50 guests, you can also add a marquee to increase the capacity! Themed with lighting and props, or just left as is, dine with the Lions and give your guests a night they will rave about for years! Available for late afternoon wedding ceremonies or evening functions.

The Old Elephant House

Once home to our elephants, the Old Elephant House is now an iconic indoor venue, suitable for everything from conferences to wedding receptions, cocktail parties, photo exhibitions or seated dinners. Holding functions with as little as 12 guests to 200 guests cocktail-style, the newly renovated house is the perfect blank canvas for your function. The building retains its grand size and character with large stalls, high ceilings and an outdoor courtyard. The Old Elephant House is also spotted throughout with relics from its previous occupants, and is available for daytime or evening functions.

Central Lawn

Set amongst picturesque flora, Central Lawn is another stunning venue within Auckland Zoo. Delight your guests with a standing cocktail function for 200, a casual picnic, a team building area for 100 or add a marquee for a formal dinner for up to 110 people - the options are endless! Central Lawn is a beautiful circular space, which is close to great animal viewing areas and available for hire either day or night. Watch the orangutans peek at you from under their blankets or the sea lions basking in the sun. The meerkats are close by too and provide fantastic viewing that everyone will enjoy.

The Band Rotunda

The historic Band Rotunda is our iconic function space with four surrounding lush lawn areas. Each of the lawns can be booked separately or combined to suit your specific function requirements. Add a marquee for those larger formal dinners or cocktail parties, or bring a picnic and a blanket for that beautiful sunny afternoon. A popular area for both formal and casual events, use this versatile space for a family day to reward your hardworking employees, company team building games and exercises, cocktail events with a jazz band for your clients or even hold your special wedding ceremony here. This area is perfect for day or evening functions with small or large groups and is the focal point for entire-zoo functions.