Long Christmas lunch at Auckland Zoo

Where else in Auckland can you share in a Christmas lunch at the home of 133 species of animals?

Gather whānau, friends or colleagues for a long Christmas lunch at Auckland Zoo’s iconic Old Elephant House restaurant this year.

Our chefs have taken the stress out of the silly season and have a delectable two-course plated lunch menu, so that you and your guests can relax and unwind over two hours. With a mouth-watering roast leg of lamb*, it’s a guilt-free feast with the Zoo just outside for that long post-lunch walk. We have the little cubs covered too, with a special Christmas menu.

In addition to the two-course lunch, prepare to explore and enjoy the glorious tracks throughout the Zoo at your leisure all day long! If that’s not an early (and unique) Christmas treat, we don’t know what is!

By booking in now, you’ll also be supporting our important wildlife conservation work, with a portion of your purchase going towards conservation at Auckland Zoo.  So, send the message out to the group chat, gather the crew, and make a day of it. (Hot tip: You may even like to organise a Secret Santa for your table and go all out!).

Zoo entry is included. Annual Pass members receive 15% off with valid I.D.

Christmas Lunch Group Booking Enquiry

If you have a minimum of 25 / maximum of 50 people and would like to enquire about booking a separate date for the Christmas lunch, please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll call you back to discuss your requirements.

Christmas Lunch Terms and Conditions 2024

A vegetarian option is available – this can be booked online. Unfortunately, other dietary requirements cannot be catered for. Please check the menu for the dietary information.

Pre-booking is required, walk-ups not available on the day. 

Christmas Lunch at Auckland Zoo are running on the following dates:

  • Sunday 8 December 2024 – 12 - 2pm 
  • Thursday 12 December 2024 – 12 - 2pm
  • Sunday 15 December 2024 – 12 - 2pm

One session is available each day starting at 12pm and ending at 2pm.

Each session is 120 minutes long. Guests must be seated no later than 30 minutes after the start time of each session. Admission will not be granted if guests arrive after 30 minutes. 

Bookings close 5pm on Thursday 28 November 2024, unless sold out prior.

Customer Terms and Conditions

  • If you are a member, providing your Membership Number is compulsory.
  • Any decreases in the number of guests after a booking has been made may result in the original confirmed guest number being charged.   
  • No changes in the number of guests to be catered for will be accepted after 5pm on Thursday 28 November 2024. 

 

Cancellation of the booking may, in Montana Group’s sole discretion, result in a cancellation fee as follows: 

  • Cancellation within 7 days of the booking will incur a 100% cancellation fee; 
  • Cancellation more than 7 days of the booking will incur a 50% cancellation fee; 
  • No concessions will be made for cancellations due to Covid-19, and all conditions above will apply.  
     

The Customer acknowledges that: 

  • Minimum orders may apply; 
  • Menu content is always subject to change due to market or seasonal availability; and 
  • Where, due to unforeseen circumstances (eg supplier shortage), Montana Group is unable to provide the agreed menu or Catering Services, Montana Group reserves the right to adapt the menu and Catering Services via email with the customer. 
  • In the rare case that the Zoo is forced to cancel a session due to inclement weather, notice of cancellation will be provided within a day’s notice of a session. This is at the sole discretion of Zoo Management and all customers who have booked will receive a 100% refund. 
  • All event tickets are seated in the Old Elephant House courtyard. 
  • The Old Elephant House restaurant will be reserved on the day for walk-ups, but only with “Grab ‘n’ Go” food.

If an infant (age 0 – 3 years) is attending, please ensure the infant ticket (free of charge) is booked on your order.

If you require a highchair, please advise in the Special Requirements section of the booking form.

If you feel your infant (age 0 – 3 years) can eat the kids’ meal, you may order the meal separately. Please put a note in the Special Requirements box at the checkout and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the extra kid’s meal order for your child. Please note that an infant ticket must be booked on your order as a pre-condition. The additional kid’s meal cost $25.00 (or $21.25 if they are a member) and this would be add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission).

Yes. You can select as many options as you wish to cater to your group numbers.

The vegetarian option MUST be chosen at the time of booking as dietary requirements cannot be provided on the day. 

Unfortunately, other dietary requirements cannot be catered for. Please check out the menu for full dietary details.

If you wish to enquire, you can emailing our caterer: catering.zoo@montanagroup.co.nz

No. Beverages are additional and can be purchased on the day. For a full list of our beverages, please see the drinks menu

Yes, please click here to be taken through to the booking enquiry form. Please note that we will only accept large group bookings for another date with a minimum of 25 guests and a maximum of 50 guests.

Yes of course!

The General Admission children’s entry ticket and Christmas Lunch for Kids are bundled up as $39.00 in total.  This is for children aged four to fourteen.

If you have an annual pass membership you get a 15% discount off the price of a Christmas Lunch for Kids.

If an infant (age 0 – 3 years) is attending, please ensure the infant ticket (free of charge) is booked on your order. Please note that meals are not included with the infant ticket.

For children under four (who would qualify for the free infant ticket to the zoo) we recommend that you self-cater and bring food to the restaurant for the children.

However, if you have a child that is 2 or 3 years old and you’re confident that they will eat the Christmas Lunch for Kids, you can pay for an additional kids lunch for $25.00 (or $21.25 for members) and add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission) please put a note in the Special Requirements box at the checkout and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the extra kid's lunch order for your child.

You must present your membership card on the day. You can access your digital pass on the Member Details page when you login to the Membership Portal or you can pop by the membership hub and they can reprint your membership card for $5.

Yes, bookings are per individual. Just book for the number of members who are attending and the number of non-members who need to attend. The prices for Annual Pass members includes a 15% discount with valid I.D. but non-members do not recieve a discount.

Auckland Zoo prohibits visitors and members from bringing alcohol onsite – if you would like to add a beer, a glass of bubbles or go all out for a bottle of wine, please ask the friendly staff at Old Elephant House during the day.