Feast your eyes on these long Christmas lunches at Auckland Zoo - All sessions are now sold out!

Gather whānau, friends or colleagues for a long Christmas lunch at the 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 port-glazed champagne ham* as the centrepiece, 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 more than 17 hectares of naturally inspired award-winning habitats. You’ll come face-to-face with over 130 species to enjoy at your leisure all day long! If that’s not an early 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, gather the crew, book a group, and make a day of it. (Hot tip: You may even like to organise a Secret Santa for your table, to make the occasion extra fun).

Zoo entry is included in the Christmas Lunch ticket price (and free if you’re a member) - there’s always something new happening at Auckland Zoo. 

https://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/zoo/assets/media/auckland-zoo-christmas-food-shoot-290922-69.jpg

Port glazed champagne ham - roasted beetroot salad - egg and potato salad - dinner roll - condiments

Christmas Lunch Terms and Conditions

Vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for. These MUST be requested at the time of booking as vegetarian and dietary requirements cannot be provided on the day. 

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

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

  • Sunday 3 December 2023 – 12pm-2pm 
  • Sunday 10 of December 2023 – 12pm-2pm
  • Sunday 17 of December 2023 – 12pm-2pm

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

Each session is 120 mins long. Guests must be seated no later than 30mins after the start time of each session. Admission will not be granted if guests arrive after 30mins. 
Bookings close Friday 24 November 2023, 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 Friday 24 November 2023.   

 

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 old) is attending, please ensure the infant ticket is checked on the order - the organisers will make contact prior to the event about seating arrangements. 

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

Yes. Vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for. These MUST be requested at the time of booking as vegetarian and dietary requirements cannot be provided on the day. 

If you find out about an additional dietary requirement after booking, please make these known by emailing our caterer: catering.zoo@montanagroup.co.nz. Include the name the booking is under and your booking number.

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

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 don’t need to pay for a child’s entry to the zoo, just $22.50 for a Christmas Lunch for Kids.

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 Kid’s meal option, you can pay for an additional kids meal for $25 and add this to the infant ticket ($0 general admission). Please put a note in the dietary requirements box at the checkout and our bookings coordinator will send you an email and payment request link for the extra kids meal 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 include the annual pass member discounts and zoo entry for those who are not members.

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.