Flight of the Falcon

There's nothing quite like witnessing a kārearea New Zealand falcon in full flight.

At Wingspan's daily Flight of the Falcon experience, New Zealand's premier raptor experts guide you through the world of our most threatened birds of prey - live, outdoors, and completely unforgettable.

Opening Hours & Admission

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-1pm. The show starts at 11:30am - we recommend arriving by 11am.

If you have booked a Meet and Greet, this follows the show.

Note: Tickets can be purchased on-site or online. PayWave is not currently available. Bookings are required for groups of 10+ and recommended for visitors with accessibility needs.

What to Expect - Flight of the Falcon

The Flight of the Falcon is a guided outdoor experience running approximately one hour, hosted by Wingspan's expert falconers and aviculturists.

You'll learn about the ecology and conservation of the kārearea - a threatened and endemic species - witness live falconry demonstrations, and discover the age-old and modern techniques used to train and rehabilitate these magnificent birds. Special guest birds often make an appearance too!

Admission Prices - Flight of the Falcon

Adult (16+): $45
Senior (65+): $38
Child (5–15 years): $20
Under 5 years: Free
Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children): $110
Members: Complimentary

Book Flight of the Falcon ➙

Upgrade Your Experience - Meet & Greet

Take your visit further with an intimate behind-the-scenes encounter after the Flight of the Falcon Show.

Choose a Falcon Meet & Greet or a Ruru (Morepork) Meet & Greet and come face-to-face with one of our extraordinary resident birds. These small-group experiences are bookable in advance and make a truly special gift.

Admission Prices - Meet and Greet

$250 for 1-2 people
$60 for each additional person (small groups only - limited numbers)
Members receive a 20% Discount.
Minimum ages apply.

Includes admission to the Flight of the Falcon for the day of your experience, so you can make the most of your visit.

Book a Meet & Greet ➙Gift a Meet & Greet ➙

Important Visitor Information

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Flight of the Falcon is an outdoor experience - dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear

Uneven surfaces mean the site is not yet fully accessible for wheelchairs

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In the event of heavy rain or high winds, an alternative indoor experience will be offered

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Toilet facilities are available in the car park

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The site is currently undergoing development - please follow all signage and staff instructions

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No food or refreshment facilities on-site currently.

Frequently Asked:

Do we have to book our visit?

Bookings are essential for Meet & Greets, as we have strictly limited capacity. Bookings are not required for Flight of the Falcon unless your group is made up of 10 or more people or someone in your group requires special accommodations to be made for their visit, such as wheelchair users or those with sensory issues.

Do you fly the birds when it’s raining?

A little bit of drizzle won’t stop us, but if there is heavy or persistent rain or strong wind gusts, it becomes a safety and comfort issue for the birds, and we are forced to cancel the flight show. In the event of this, Wingspan will offer an alternative indoor experience. Keen to see the birds in flight and unsure of the forecast? Phone Wingspan on the morning of your visit to confirm if it is going ahead.

Can we visit outside of the Flight of the Falcon display?

No, sorry. Wingspan has reduced operating hours while our new visitor centre is under development. We host visitors for our Flight of the Falcon display and our Meet & Greet experiences, but outside of this we are closed to the public. Check out details on our operating hours here and follow the development of our new centre here.

Can we touch the birds?

Stroking or patting the birds is not permitted – our birds don’t enjoy that kind of interaction like cats and dogs do! The natural oils on our fingertips can also damage the waterproofing on the birds’ feathers. Meet & Greets offer the chance to get up close to these magnificent animals. While we can’t guarantee it – it’s the bird’s choice how they participate – they will often perch on your outstretched arm, shoulder, or head!

Do you have discount for locals?

Yes! There is a 15% discount on adult, senior and child admission to Flight of the Falcon when you show proof of address. This cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offers.

Do you offer a discount for groups?

Wingspan offers a special rate for school groups, details of which you can find here. There is no discount for other groups, sorry.

Can I take photos/videos during my visit?

Absolutely! We welcome photography for personal use – help us spread the word! Photography or filming for commercial purposes (large-scale distribution or for profit) requires prior approval and a written release contract between you and Wingspan. Contact our team to enquire about commercial photography.

What facilities are available during your new centre development?

While Wingspan’s new visitor centre is under development, we do not have a café or eating facilities, sorry. Ask our friendly team for recommendations on local cafés or picnicking areas. Drinkable tap water is available; our staff are happy to refill your water bottle for you! Toilets are available for your convenience, though there are no baby change or feeding rooms. Wingspan is a waste free organisation; we don’t have any rubbish bins and kindly ask all visitors to take their rubbish away with them.

I’m scared of birds – is a visit to Wingspan suitable for me?

Believe it or not, we have hosted visitors with a bird phobia before! Reach out to one of our friendly team to discuss whether a visit will work for you and how we can best accommodate your visit.

Can we train the birds?

Our staff have a talent of making falconry look easy, but it is far from it. Staff have undergone months – sometimes years – of training and mentorship to get to this point and have forged a strong bond with their birds not taken for granted, so the general public is unable to participate in training, sorry.

Can we see the birds in the breeding aviaries?/Can we see chicks?

The breeding aviaries are closed to the public to allow the birds peace and quiet to raise their young. New Zealand falcons are especially protective during breeding season, so we aim to limit disturbance as much as possible. All five species of New Zealand raptors can be viewed in our display aviaries.

Why do you use falconry techniques?

Falconry has a long history around the world and tried-and-true methodology going back millennia. Falconry equipment and techniques are helpful tools to train and exercise raptors and keep them safe. Read more about falconry here.

Can I bring my dog to Wingspan?

At Wingspan we free fly our birds and, as such, the centre is not suitable for pets. Please note that the car park offers no shade, so pets should not be left in vehicles. Please enquire regarding service animals – our friendly staff are happy to chat.

How accessible is Wingspan?

Wingspan aims to offer an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Whether you are hard of hearing, have low vision, sensory sensitivities or limited mobility, we would love to see you! If you feel you might need support or special accommodations made during your visit, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly team members to discuss options.

Birds of prey have sharp talons and a strong beak – will they hurt me?

Our birds do have sharp talons and a strong beak, but they are there to aid them in hunting and eating their food. Believe it or not, they are surprisingly gentle! Nevertheless, visitors are asked to keep their hands to themselves. They can hurt when they want to!