Discounted November entry while we undertake essential Zoo works

From 1-30 November Auckland Zoo will be offering its much-valued visitors a 20% discount on all general admissions while we undertake some essential maintenance works.

This includes remediation and improvement works to our main Zoo carpark (Carpark 1) to improve safety and vehicle access and will see it temporarily close from Monday 3 November. Contractors will be working hard to complete this upgrade within the month (or even sooner if they can), but there is the potential it could take up to six weeks. 

Within the Zoo, from 3 November, we’re carrying out maintenance and upgrades to a number of animal habitats and visitor spaces and amenities. These are all essential works to ensure we continue to provide the highest levels of care for the animals that live here, a safe environment for all, and a world-class experience for you, our visitors!

We’ve chosen November to consolidate these works so that we are ready for summer and can minimise the impact at our busiest time.  Our discounted entry acknowledges this increased activity, and we will be doing everything else we can to minimise disruption to your Zoo experience, including limiting these works on weekend days.

Carparking Information

Carparking options from Monday 3 November will be at Western Springs Car Parks 2 (adjacent to TAPAC) and 3 (MOTAT Aviation Hall) or any available on-street parking. MOTAT will be operating their free tram service from 10am – 4pm daily. Drop-offs at the Zoo’s main entry won’t be possible until the works are finished.

Additional carparking on weekends during November works

Thanks to our very supportive neighbours at Western Springs College Ngā Puna Waiōrea (WSC) more carparks will be available for Zoo visitors at Carpark 2 (adjacent to TAPAC) on fine weather weekend days while our main Zoo carpark (Carpark 1) remains closed for upgrade works.

From Saturday 8 November, 9am-5.30pm, WSC is offering Zoo visitors extra Carpark 2 paved parking as well as adjacent playing field parking – as shown in this map, for a flat $5 fee. The WSC team will have staff to direct visitors to these areas and are making payment very easy – enabling you to pay with cash or via credit or bank transfer. Payment will be at the entry.

PLEASE NOTE: So that WSC can protect its playing field, this area will not be available to park in on rainy days.

Inside the Zoo works

Please find a list below on what areas of our Zoo are currently, or will be, worked on. We aim to have the most up to date information available, however please be aware that weather and other circumstances can impact these dates. Signage will also be available at the Zoo to assist you when you visit.

  • Monday 3 – Friday 28 November: the Australia Bush Track’s boardwalk (Tasmanian devils end of the Track) is closed for upgrades. The remainder of the Track remains accessible with entry/exit via the kangaroo/emu side. Note: Tasmanian devils may still be viewable from the aviary side of the Track during these works (except for Friday 7 November) but views into the habitat will be restricted.
  • Saturday 1 November – Wednesday 17 December: the Australian aquatic habitat (across from the Tasmanian Devils habitat) will be receiving a refresh and some essential maintenance works, and there will be no animals visible in these tanks.
  • Monday 10 November: the southern white rhinoceros, nyala and waterbuck will not be able to be visited on this date while habitat upgrades are carried out.
  • Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 November: the African lions will not be able to be visited during this time, while our visitor viewing shelter is receiving essential maintenance.
  • Monday 10 – Tuesday 11 November: The Forest aviary in Te Wao Nui, home to tūī, kākā, kererū and pāteke, will be closed for maintenance.
  • Thursday 13 – Friday 14 November: Mokonui café will be closed.
  • Monday 17 – Friday 21 November: there are essential works taking place in both the siamang and orangutan habitats. During this time, only one habitat will be open per day. This means only either the siamang or orangutans will be able to be seen when you visit.
  • Wednesday 26 – Friday 28 November: the NZCCM (Vet hospital) viewing gallery, which is also home to the sea krait, with be closed to visitors while it recieves cleaning and upgrades.
https://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/zoo/assets/media/auckland-zoo-carpark-closure-map-extented-parking.jpg

Carparking options from Monday 3 November will be at Western Springs Car Parks 2 (adjacent to TAPAC) and 3 (MOTAT Aviation Hall) or any available on-street parking.

See our digital and downloadable maps

FAQs

Auckland Zoo is offering a 20 per cent discount off general admissions throughout November 2025 to acknowledge a period of increased essential upgrade activity. This reflects temporary changes to access in a few areas, while most of the Zoo remains accessible.

Works are scheduled for 3-30 November. Some are very short, others may run before and after November, but we expect the disruption to the Zoo experience to be minimal. The 20 per cent discount is aimed at offsetting any inconvenience these works might cause.

Where works take place directly in animal habitats, these animals will not be out. For example, giraffe, zebra, and ostrich will not be out when the giraffe paddock resurfacing (scheduled for 3-7 November) takes place. The schedule of specific works is outlined above. This will be kept up to date so please check here ahead of visiting. NOTE: Where possible works will cease over weekend days (Saturdays and Sundays).

While Carpark 1 is closed your carparking options will be at Western Springs Car Parks 2 (adjacent to TAPAC) and Carpark 3 (MOTAT Aviation Hall) or any available on-street parking. MOTAT will be operating their free tram service from 1pm – 4pm daily.

Drop-offs at the Zoo’s main entry won’t be possible until the works are finished.

If you are a wheelchair user and accompanied by another person who can assist you, there are accessible parks in Carparks 2 and 3. However, unfortunately, due to Carpark 1’s required closure for these essential works, there are no accessible parks close to the Zoo entry during these works.

The accessible change room will be operational, however it will not be possible to park adjacent to it, so it may not be possible for all eligible users to access it until works are complete. (However, the change room is possible to access from the Western Springs Park playground footpath side).

Check the up-to-date schedule of works about which animals will not be out in their habitat(s)/restricted animal viewing. There will be minimal activity on weekend days.

The South East Asia Jungle Track’s Indonesian swamp forest habitat will be fully closed for a week (3-7 November) to enable a full clean all its water habitats, pruning of trees/plants and other general maintenance.