Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park

Relax and enjoy the freshness of this beautifully maintained park as you stroll along superb walkways which are pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

The Ngongotaha Stream meanders gently through the park, attracting around 20,000 trout annually for spawning. Host to New Zealand’s largest trout display, Paradise Valley Springs is home to Brown, Rainbow and American Brook Trout ranging in age from fingerlings through to adults up to 12 years of age. A fantastic underwater viewing cave provides a great opportunity to observe the trout up close. Enormous native long finned eels up to a staggering 80 years of age also call Paradise home.

As you stroll through the park, listen out for the beautiful songs of native birds such as the Tui, Bellbird, Kereru, Grey Warbler and Robin. Paradise Shelducks and a host of Swans and other New Zealand water birds make their home in the park’s wetland area. Visit the Kea, perhaps our most famous, comical alpine parrot – and certainly the cheekiest!

Meet Goldie, the very rare Golden Opossum, and Dama Wallabies, which are wild in regions of Rotorua, and friendly Kunekune and Captain Cooker pigs and Himalayan Thar. Along the Farm Walk meet friendly Farm Animals, Alpacas, Sheep, Goats and an Emu.

Take a drink straight from Te Waireka, the beautiful freshwater spring, named by early Maori and translating to “sweet water.” The pure spring water is also bottled on site for local supply so that others may enjoy some of the finest spring water to be found in the world.

And don't forget the Pride of Paradise, the Lions. Born at Paradise Valley Springs, their specially designed enclosure means that visitors are able to get very close to these formidable animals, in complete safety. Lion feeding, held at 2.30 pm daily, is an absolute must see – the opportunity to get up close to view these big cats is sure to delight and excite. The park often has lion cubs available, subject to their breeding programme, which are available for visitors to pat and photograph – an incredible and unique experience.