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Brooklands Zoo

4.7
·959 reviews·New Plymouth, New Zealand

A charming, free-entry zoo nestled in gardens, featuring monkeys, birds, and a playground for a delightful family outing.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daily, 11:30 AM

Feeding time excitement!

CrowdMedium
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The Willow Elephant Family

Brooklands Zoo

Best Time

Daily, 11:30 AM

Feeding time excitement!

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming, free-entry zoo nestled in gardens, featuring monkeys, birds, and a playground for a delightful family outing.

4.7
(959 reviews)

"It's a nice small zoo. The animals were sooo cute. It’s a nice place to visit with the kids."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Free Entry, Donate Generously

Brooklands Zoo is free to enter! Consider making a donation to support the animals and their care. ❤️

🐒 Preschooler Paradise

A fantastic spot for little ones, with animals and a playground to keep them entertained. :child:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 959 reviews

Type

Zoo

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Adorable Capuchin Baby

Adorable Capuchin Baby

Monkey enclosure

Spot the newest tufted capuchin, Amani's baby, clinging to its mother for a heartwarming sight.

Vibrant Aviary Encounters

Vibrant Aviary Encounters

Aviary

Step inside the aviary and get up close with a variety of colorful birds, a truly immersive experience.

Playful Meerkats

Playful Meerkats

Meerkat enclosure

Watch the energetic meerkats as they dig, play, and keep a watchful eye over their surroundings.

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Planning Your Visit

Free Admission, Big Heart

Brooklands Zoo offers complimentary entry, a rare treat! While donations are encouraged to support animal care, the zoo is a fantastic, budget-friendly option for families and animal lovers alike. Plan your visit to coincide with feeding times for a more engaging experience.

A Zoo with a View (and a Playground!)

Beyond the animals, Brooklands Zoo is nestled within beautiful gardens and features a playground, making it a perfect outing for a full day. Consider packing a picnic or enjoying a coffee from the nearby teahouse to maximize your visit.

Best Times

When
Daily, 11:30 AM
Why
Feeding time excitement!
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more animal activity
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

It was great seeing so many of our friends in New Plymouth! Thank you New Zealand for two incredible nights! 🇳🇿 #SlowDreamTour #MatchboxTwenty #fyp #mb20 #NZ #newzealand #tsbbowlofbrooklands #NewPlymouth
@matchboxtwenty
1.7K likes • 21.1K views

🎯 Free Entry, Donate Generously

Brooklands Zoo is free to enter! Consider making a donation to support the animals and their care. ❤️

🐒 Preschooler Paradise

A fantastic spot for little ones, with animals and a playground to keep them entertained. :child:

A FREE zoo in NZ?! Yep, that’s right! Not only a zoo but a playground in amongst the gardens. Make sure you check out the teahouse if you are in the area for an icecream or coffee and stroll the beautiful walking tracks 🙈🦉🐍🐖 #brooklandszoo #brooklandsgardens #brooklands #newplymouthwithkids #nzwithkids
@roamnround
1.6K likes • 20.6K views
There’s a new face at Brooklands Zoo and it’s adorable! Tufted capuchin Amani has welcomed a baby, and you might spot it clinging to mum on your next visit. Head down to Brooklands Zoo this week and watch a rare chance to see nature in action 🙊😍 Link in bio to learn more about our baby capuchin, or click here: https://www.npdc.govt.nz/council/news/2025/august/capuchin-cutie-joins-brooklands-...
hello_np
44 likes • 1.8K views

☕ Garden Strolls & Treats

Explore the beautiful gardens and grab a coffee or ice cream from the teahouse. 🍦

📸 Capture the Moments

Don't forget your camera to snap photos of the cute animals and lush surroundings. 📷

The first two days have not disappointed. It's been wild 😂 Have laughed Have cried Have learned so much about you guys 👀 And got stuck inside the Brooklands Zoo Keen to gwt the footage from the council 😂 Next stop... Whangārei!!!
real_life_wifenz
117 likes • 5.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Free Entry, Donate Generously

Brooklands Zoo is free to enter! Consider making a donation to support the animals and their care. ❤️

🐒 Preschooler Paradise

A fantastic spot for little ones, with animals and a playground to keep them entertained. :child:

☕ Garden Strolls & Treats

Explore the beautiful gardens and grab a coffee or ice cream from the teahouse. 🍦

📸 Capture the Moments

Don't forget your camera to snap photos of the cute animals and lush surroundings. 📷

🚗 Parking Time Limits

Be aware of parking time limits if you're driving to the zoo. 🚗

What Travellers Say

4.7
(959 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Brooklands Zoo's free admission and the charm of its animals, particularly the monkeys and birds. While some areas could use maintenance, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, especially for families. The zoo's integration with gardens and a playground adds to its appeal as a delightful, budget-friendly outing.

"I didn’t know it was a free entrance which is very generous! You can donate to the zoo, though! It’s a nice small zoo. Some needed attention with the maintenance, especially where the otters are situated. The animals were sooo cute. Unfortunately, we were too late to meet the Capybara as they moved him to Wellington Zoo. We were so excited to see him. It was nice to be inside the aviary, most of the birds were sleeping perched up on the trees. It was super cute. It’s a nice place to visit with the kids, it’s for all ages though. Hope you can donate when you visit 😊"

JC

"Amazing small zoo! Unexpected good experience! We are lucky to see the pigs getting fed at around 11:30. Lovely animals here and even no need for tickets"

Wangweimin Xing

"Amazing cute little zoo. Donations recommended but free entry. No cappybara when we went sadly but tons of birds and monkeys"

Brooks Soljah

What People Like

Free admission
Cute animals
Beautiful gardens

What People Dislike

Maintenance needed in some areas
Capybara absence

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Brooklands Zoo is located in New Plymouth, accessible by car. There is ample parking available, though be mindful of time limits. Public transport options might be available; check local New Plymouth transport schedules for the most up-to-date information. TikTok

Yes, there is plenty of carpark space available at Brooklands Zoo. However, visitors should be aware that there are time limits on parking. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Brooklands Zoo offers complimentary admission, making it a very generous and accessible attraction. While entry is free, donations are highly recommended and appreciated to support the zoo's operations and animal welfare. TikTokReddit

No, you do not need to book tickets in advance as Brooklands Zoo has free admission. Simply arrive and enjoy your visit! TikTok

While specific hours can vary, it's generally recommended to visit during daylight hours. Many visitors report seeing animals being fed around 11:30 AM, suggesting this is a good time to aim for. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Brooklands Zoo is home to a variety of animals including monkeys, parrots, reptiles, meerkats, and more. While the capybara has been moved to Wellington Zoo, there are still many cute and lovely animals to see. InstagramReddit

Absolutely! Brooklands Zoo is situated within beautiful gardens and also features a playground, making it a great spot for a full day out with the family. TikTokReddit

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. Many people enjoy having a picnic in the gardens. There's also a teahouse nearby for coffee and ice cream. TikTok

Some visitors have noted that certain areas, like the otter enclosure, could benefit from maintenance. However, the overall experience is generally positive with many cute animals to observe. Reddit

Yes, Brooklands Zoo is highly recommended for preschoolers and young children. The combination of animals and a playground makes it an ideal destination for families. TikTokReddit

📸 📸 Photography

The aviary offers fantastic opportunities for close-up shots of birds. The meerkat enclosure is also great for capturing playful moments. Don't forget to photograph the adorable baby capuchin if you're lucky enough to spot it! Instagram

Yes, photography is generally allowed within the aviary. It's a wonderful chance to get some unique shots of the birds up close. Reddit

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