Zealandia

Zealandia is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare (500+ acre) ecosanctuary is a groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Set around a picturesque reservoir, Zealandia is home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and extraordinary wildlife – all thriving wild in a world-first protected sanctuary. Zealandia runs a number of different tours throughout the day, so check out their website to find out more.

Zealandia’s Visitor Centre has an elevator suitable for wheelchair users. This allows access to the front desk, exhibition, and cafe. There are a number of wheelchair accessible tracks throughout the valley. They are signposted in the valley, but you can view the tracks on the wheelchair accessibility map. They recommend that wheelchair users bring a companion who are able to enter free of charge.