Home to at least 130 species and more than 2,800 animals, Auckland Zoo says it has the largest range of wildlife in Aotearoa. It sits on Motions Road beside Western Springs Reserve. Visitors often mention the kiwi, the elephants, the cheetahs and the orangutan enclosure. Reviewers describe clean, well-kept grounds, where they could see the animals up close and learn about each one. We hear the Dinosaur Discovery Track, with 20 animatronic dinosaurs, is back and open from 9.30am to 4pm, so check before you go. The Deluxe High Tea in the Old Elephant House is served on selected Sundays in morning and afternoon sessions, and bookings are essential. The zoo is open 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day. Parking in the zoo's two car parks costs $3 an hour, to a maximum of $9, from 9am to 5pm every day (as at October 2026). Street parking on Motions Road and Old Mill Road is free, though some of it is limited to three hours. The zoo's news pages describe its work with wildlife rangers and its call for help protecting sea turtles, and its cafés no longer serve single-use coffee cups.