Hamilton Zoo
Hamilton Zoo
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Hamilton Zoo is home to more than 450 native and exotic animals, including Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest walk-through aviary for native birds and plants. From the savannah with its zebra herd, bison, and giraffes to the majestic tigers or antics of the chimpanzee troop, you’ll want to spend all day here.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles855 reviews
Excellent
468
Very good
302
Average
68
Poor
11
Terrible
6

Kara G
Auckland, New Zealand84 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Not a great day to visit as was very hot. Most animals seek shade and nap in heat.
But zoo has plenty of shade for human animals too.. and ice cream van at lower end.
Layout bit annoying several dead end paths so have to back track. But over all quite spacious.
New entrance way is lovely though prefer money to be spent on enclosures..
Tiger babies are seen on Webcam but will be out and about when older..
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Annie A
Hamilton, New Zealand7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
Beautiful, well laid out and accessible zoo. Great range of animals within walking distance.
Zoo is always being uodated/improved and yet these seldom impinge on a day out there.
Great knowledge from friendly keepers and staff, lovely new cafe abd playground
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NorthStar29358142536
Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
This a great visit for the family. The zoo staff are friendly. I love the layout -of the zoo. it is interesting. You wander around excited about what could be around the next corner. The children were very excited and loved the close encounters with the animals.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bernadette M
Hastings, New Zealand30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Only went to the restaurant service excellent lovely staff very helpfull food deliciousW.
found prices for seniors a little steep. Bikes are available for seniors at no cost.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trendonz
New Zealand82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
There is heaps of parking. The staff were really friendly. When our kids asked one of the rangers a question when he was working, he took the time to answer and then answered more and explained the animals we were looking at. The animals are quite close in this zoo when compared to others, which is great. The map is handy. There’s toilets and a place to refill drink bottles about half way into the zoo.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Afghanlion
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Family
One of least enjoyable experience with kids, the layout is not good for kids. Most animals were out of sight or not easily seen especially for younger children. Bad layout , even in long days NZ were sun sits at 11pm they close at 4:30 pm but keep warning you to move at 4pm. Waste of money if coming in afternoon. Very disappointed-
Written 14 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kara G
Auckland, New Zealand84 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Friends
Hadn't been for a few years.. used to be really good.
Few changes brand new entrance and cafe.. though why they didn't make use of nearby rhino enclosure for cafe view I'll never know.. no animals seen from cafe. Cafe was great though.. first few enclosures quite over grown and windows need a clean.. viewing for kids not well thought out. Chimp enclosure is changed with no bridge so viewing though dirty glass. No chimps and was a beautiful sunny day.
So many areas now dead ends.. unlike old circular paths.. such a pain to have to back track. Random enclosures with nothing in them and no signage.. rhino enclosure split up and crampt now.
Just looking tired over all. Sad.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kiks74
Cairns, Australia97 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
Recently visited the zoo. The carpark is under construction and it is a nightmare. There are traffic controllers present but they too dont seem too knowledgeable. As Car 1 was told to park 1 place and Car 2 told to park another.

There is a carpark down the hill, however there is no safe way to walk up the hill to the zoo if there is traffic.

The zoo itself was okay. Quite a few animals missing or unable to be seen.

Id recommend the Auckland Zoo over Hamilton, however if only near Hamiliton Id still suggest going.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meinjean
5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
What a disappointment . Not much to see and animals looked unwell.
Kids there looked happier playing on swings rather than trying to spot an animal.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand792 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
The car park is under maintenance and will be great when finished, but an absolute shambles at the moment. A nice zoo and looks really natural which mean you have to look for the animals which I prefer, as seems much kinder for the animals and they have a decent amount of space. The set up was a bit weird and quite hilly, but I liked the feel of the place and think it will only get better as they finish the projects. A really nice cafe and playground area. Kids loved the slide by the chimps, though we didnt see the chimps which was a bit disappointing, but we did go later in the day. Think it be a better experience early in the day. Price is a bit expensive for what is currently available.
Written 29 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HAMILTON ZOO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM