Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours

We are open every day, including all public holidays, except Christmas Day.

Wildlife Reserve: 9:30am – 5.00pm
Staglands Café: 10:00am – 4:30pm

No pre-booking is necessary.

There is no public holiday surcharge in either the Reserve or Café.

Last admission is at 5pm however visitors can remain on-site until 6pm when we close the gates.

Prices

Adults: $27.00 (17 Years & Over)
Children: $12.00 (4 - 16 years)
Three Years & Under: No Charge
Family Pass: $78.00 (2 Adults & Up To 3 Children)
Senior Citizens & Students: $22.00
Adults (Group): $24.00
Children (Group): $11.00

Buy Day Admission

Staglander Annual Pass

Adult: $75.00 (17 Years & Over)
Child: $35.00 (4 - 16 years)
Child Flexi: $115.00 (named child + any adult)
Family: $220.00 (2 Adults & Up To 3 Children)

Buy Staglander Annual Pass

Visit the Cafe

Enjoy tempting home-made treats complimented with fresh coffee, or order a light café lunch from the menu. The Café is fully licensed so you can purchase a beer or wine or choose from a selection of cold non-alcoholic beverages. There’s something for the whole family.

Cafe Menu Wine List Cafe Venue Hire

Getting to Staglands

Staglands Wildlife Reserve is nestled in Akatarawa Valley, a perfect day trip destination less than an hours’ drive from Wellington City. Staglands can be accessed from Kapiti or the Hutt Valley main state highways, with the Hutt Valley being the easier route. Drivers of large motorhomes or buses should access the reserve via this route.

From Hutt Valley or Wellington:

Head north on State Highway Two (SH2). At the northern end of Upper Hutt, on the left there is a Caltex service station. Turn left 400m past this station onto Akatarawa Road. Staglands is located 20-25 minutes along this road (16km) in a beautiful, rural valley. There is plenty of parking available – even for motor homes and coaches!

From Kapiti (and if travelling north):
Access vis SH1 in Waikanae. Turn right at the second set of Waikanae traffic lights. Staglands Wildlife Reserve is just 30-35 minutes or 20km along this road which winds up a beautiful valley into native bush.

Free Lunch Feed Tour and Tractor Trailer Rides

If you want to hear more about some of the birds & animals at Staglands and have a go at feeding them, join our free lunch time feed tour. Tour runs daily. Meet at the BBQ deck by the main entrance at 12.30pm.

Weekends, school holidays and public holidays visitors can get off the beaten track at Staglands with free off-road tractor-trailer rides. Rides run from 11:30am to 3:30pm (Circumstances Allowing).

Animal Food:

Hand feeding our birds and animals offers visitors the unique opportunity to connect with nature. Animal food can be purchased for $3.50. Trout food can be purchased for $2.50. This is a great way to see our impressive trout in action and you may also get the opportunity to hand feed some of our gigantic eels.

Visitors are welcome to bring some fresh apples or carrots from home to feed to our animals too!

Picnic & BBQ Facilities:

There are numerous idyllic picnic spots to be enjoyed throughout Staglands. We also have complimentary BBQ facilities available that can be found in our great undercover venue, The Barn and on the BBQ deck alongside The Cafe. We encourage our visitors to tread lightly when they visit by reducing their waste and taking away with them what they bring in.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station:

This complimentary facility is for the use of visitors to The Reserve driving electric vehicles or motorhomes. It has been made available as part of our ongoing commitment towards sustainability. (Charger type J1772EV plug + Blue Commando + 3 pin plug)

Wheelchair Users & Hapai Access Cardholders:

As wheelchair access is difficult, entry into The Reserve for wheelchair users and their carer is free. Please contact us if you need more information.

We also offer half price admission to Hapai Cardholders and their essential companion (+1).

Double Pushchairs:

Although it is possible to visit the reserve with a double pushchair, access is tricky in some areas. Backpacks or single pushchairs are an easier option.

Wet Weather Gear:

The weather in NZ can change rapidly, so please remember to bring wet weather gear. Staglands has a range of disposable ponchos and raincoats available for purchase at the ticket office.

Filming & Photography:

Amateur photographers are welcome to take photographs or film at Staglands Wildlife Reserve. No advance booking is required and normal admission prices will apply.

For those wishing to shoot commercial film or photographs, please contact us in advance of the planned visit as a location fee will apply. Please note also that we may require access to any images or video produced.

Please be respectful of other visitors at all times.