Birthday Parties

Take the stress away and leave that to us! Catering options are available for pre-purchase - check out our platters and menu options here.  

You’re also welcome to bring your own food. Please note there are no cooking, cooling or storage facilities available onsite, and we do not allow barbecues. Alcohol cannot be brought into the zoo or taken from our licensed venues to the birthday party venue.

Birthday Cakes

We have an Auckland Zoo Cake that can be pre-purchased, and we’re able to create custom cakes if you show us an image.

Auckland Zoo Cake Pricing, minimum 7 days notice:
Choose from one of three cake flavours - Vanilla / raspberry or 50% dark chocolate or Pistachio mascarpone.

1. 6 inch (15cm) - $190
2. 8 inch (20cm) - $270

Custom birthday cake pricing, minimum 2 weeks notice:

1. 6 inch (15cm) - starting from $250
2. 8 inch (20cm) - starting from $330

Please ask our bookings coordinator if you’re interested in having your cake supplied.

Some animals are sensitive to costumed characters. Visitors must not bring any costumes into the Zoo. Please check with our Bookings Coordinator if you are unsure.

Zoo Members do not receive a discount on kids’ parties. The party package includes venue hire and a dedicated party host. 

Zoo Members receive 20% off any additional tickets (above the 20 included in the party package).

The birthday party package is designed for 20 guests. If you have fewer guests than this there will be no discounts off the purchase price.

We recommend a balance of 10 adults and 10 children to make up your birthday package guestlist.

Due to the size of the party venues and for health and safety reasons, we cannot accept more than a maximum of 50 guests (including infants) at The Party Courtyard and Critter Cottages.

Kidzone can host a maximum of 30 guests (unless arrangements are made prior via the Bookings Coordinator).

If your guest numbers are larger than this, please let us know about your requirements as there may be another suitable venue for your party at the Zoo.​ Contact our Bookings Coordinator to discuss these options.

We have three fabulous spaces to host birthday parties at Auckland Zoo – Critter Cottages, The Party Courtyard and Kidzone.

Please note that Critter Cottages is our summertime venue and only available from Labour Day weekend until Easter weekend. If the weather looks rainy or it has been raining prior to your party date, we make arrangements for the party to proceed in The Party Courtyard as a backup venue.

The Party Courtyard and Critter Cottages can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests.
Kidzone can accommodate a maximum of 30 guests (unless arrangements are made prior via the Bookings Coordinator).

The enchanting Critter Cottages is predominately an outdoor summer venue and it includes two cottages for food tables, plus there are two large fixed shade umbrellas to shade the seating and tables.

The Party Courtyard and Kidzone venues are both fully under cover. 

Your birthday party will be set up with colourful tablecloths, bunting and zoo themed decorations. You will also be provided with cups, plates, napkins and forks.

For the safety of our animals and environment, balloons, balls, pinatas, confetti, whistles and party poppers are not permitted in the Zoo.

In addition, it is important that no damage is caused to the facilities. Therefore, we do not allow the use of nails, screw or adhesives (including blu-tac). 3M Command hooks may be used.

All equipment and decorations must be removed by the conclusion of your party (within the hire period).

If you want to bring additional decorations or are unsure, please discuss with the Bookings Coordinator. 

For the host (customer) booking the party, there is one complimentary (free) priority parking space for the whole day, more information on where your park is located will be communicated once you book in.
For guests, Auckland Zoo has two large car parks (carpark 1 - by the main Zoo entrance, and carpark 2 - across the road from the Zoo) providing off-street parking. It costs $2/hour to park in the Zoo car parks, with a maximum charge of $8. Parking charges apply from 9am to 5pm every day. Accessible car parking is available in the Motions Road car park, closest to the main entrance to the Zoo, for vehicles displaying a current mobility parking permit. On-street parking along Motions Road and Old Mill Road is free and, in some areas is time-restricted to 3 hours. To save time, download the AT Park App via Google play or Apple App Store, use the area code #230002 for carpark 1 and #230003 for carpark 2.

Parties will take place regardless of weather, unless the Zoo itself is closed (in which case full refunds will be issued or we can work with you to reschedule the party).

The Party Courtyard and Kidzone venues are both fully covered.

Parties that are booked into Critter Cottages will be moved to The Party Courtyard venue if it is rainy, or if recent rain has made the Critter Cottage lawn muddy.

All party changes, postponements and cancellations must be negotiated directly with the Bookings Coordinator, and final decisions and are at the discretion of Auckland Zoo.

We cannot issue refunds for guests who do not show up. Birthday party entrance is not transferable as entry to the Zoo on any other day or time.

If you have extra guests on the day (over the 20 guests included in the party package), you can purchase Extra Birthday Party Tickets via the Bookings Coordinator, or your extra guests will have to purchase general admission tickets at cashiers. All additional tickets are eligible for the kids’ party discount of 10%.

All party changes, postponements and cancellations must be negotiated directly with the Bookings Coordinator and are at the discretion of Auckland Zoo.

If a party is cancelled at any time, the deposit is non-refundable. If a party is cancelled within ten days of the party date, all monies paid are non-refundable.

Yes. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due when you make your booking. We are unable to reserve dates before receiving your deposit. If you are booking less than ten days before your requested date, full numbers, guest list and payment is required to secure the date.

Payment of your remaining balance must be received at least ten working days prior to your party date. If the balance is not paid in full by this date, the party may be cancelled.

If your question is not covered, please email us at experiences@aucklandzoo.co.nz

Find our T&Cs here