Fodor's Expert Review Zealandia

Just minutes from downtown Wellington, more than 500 acres of forest have been transformed into a unique safe-haven for New Zealand's most endangered native species. A specially designed fence creates a cage-free eco-sanctuary for species that had disappeared from the mainland. Tuatara, New Zealand's unique "living fossil," are breeding, as are takahē and saddleback, which have both been brought back from the brink of extinction. Pick up a map and explore at your leisure, or join a 2-hour guided tour. The flashlight-led nighttime tour is very popular; departing about 30 minutes before sunset, it provides a glimpse into the nocturnal world—you might even spy a little spotted kiwi.