Deer Park Heights Queenstown
Drive-through wildlife park with stunning views, animal encounters, and Lord of the Rings filming sites near Queenstown.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer animals
Deer Park Heights Queenstown
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer animals
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Drive-through wildlife park with stunning views, animal encounters, and Lord of the Rings filming sites near Queenstown.
"This is honestly so great you don’t even have to leave the car if you don’t want to! So manyyyy frens I highly recommend."
🚗 Book Your Car Spot Online
Entry is per vehicle, book online in advance as it sells out!
💰 Bring $2 Coins for Feed
Essential for feeding the friendly animals! Bring more if you want to give them extra treats.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Animal Encounters
Throughout the park
Feed and interact with deer, pigs, alpacas, goats, and more! A truly heartwarming experience for all ages.
Panoramic Queenstown Views
Various viewpoints
Breathtaking vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding alpine landscape. Perfect for photos!
Lord of the Rings Filming Sites
Designated locations
Discover iconic filming locations from the epic 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for This Gem
Animal Feed & Warm Layers
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Book Your Car Spot Online
Entry is per vehicle, book online in advance as it sells out!
💰 Bring $2 Coins for Feed
Essential for feeding the friendly animals! Bring more if you want to give them extra treats.
🧥 Pack Warm Layers
Weather can be unpredictable; warm clothing is recommended even in warmer months.
📸 Allow Plenty of Time
You could easily spend 2-4 hours exploring and enjoying the views and animals.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Book Your Car Spot Online
Entry is per vehicle, book online in advance as it sells out!
💰 Bring $2 Coins for Feed
Essential for feeding the friendly animals! Bring more if you want to give them extra treats.
🧥 Pack Warm Layers
Weather can be unpredictable; warm clothing is recommended even in warmer months.
📸 Allow Plenty of Time
You could easily spend 2-4 hours exploring and enjoying the views and animals.
⚠️ Respect Animal Space
Follow guidelines and don't exit your vehicle near animals for safety.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Deer Park Heights, calling it a 'wonderland' and a 'must-do' for its incredible animal encounters and breathtaking views. The ease of booking and the opportunity to feed animals like deer and pigs are consistently praised. Some minor communication issues and the potential for certain animals to be less visible are noted, but overall, it's considered a highly memorable and worthwhile experience. +2
"I found out about Deer Park Heights not long before visiting Queenstown and knew I had to visit. It is set on the outskirts of Queenstown and has sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the alpine landscape. The park was easy to book online and costs $75 per car, vehicles of up to 8 people are allowed. Entry is limited to protect both the environment and the animals which means it also never feels crowded while you’re there. While there we saw herds of deer, Kunekune pigs, llamas, goats, highland cows and miniature horses. You can get out of your vehicle in certain areas and feed some of the animals. Make sure you bring a $2 coin to be able to get some food! There are also several recording sites from “The Lord of the Rings,” which was a big draw for me.
We were there for a good couple of hours taking in the views, watching planes land and depart Queenstown airport and just enjoying the tranquillity of the park. A real worthwhile visit if you’re in the area."
Kira Smith
"I recently visited Deer Park Heights and had an amazing time! I spent about two and a half hours there, driving at a normal pace — but honestly, I could’ve easily stayed three or even four hours. There’s so much to see and do, especially if you enjoy interacting with animals. You can watch them, feed them, and just enjoy their company in a beautiful setting.
I brought $8 NZD with me, which turned out to be a great idea. For $2, you can get half a bucket of food to feed the animals — but I recommend getting two full buckets ($8 total) if you want to feed more animals and make them really happy! It’s definitely worth it.
Even though the weather was cloudy during my visit, the views were still absolutely stunning. I drove a two-wheel-drive campervan and had no issues navigating the park.
One thing to note: I did see some people ignoring the rules and getting out of their vehicles to stand next to the deer for photos. This could be dangerous and it’s important to respect the guidelines for everyone’s safety.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience and highly recommend Deer Park Heights to anyone visiting Queenstown. It’s a great mix of nature, animals, and unforgettable views!"
Kamil Adamski
"Visiting Deer Park Heights was such an unreal experience! My partner and I went on our last full day in Queenstown and had so much fun. It’s hard to put into words just how special it was – breathtaking views combined with the chance to see and feed the animals made it such a wholesome outing.
We only got to see cows, pigs, deer, sheep, a donkey, and miniature horses up close, which was still amazing. Some of the other animals like stags, bison, Highland cattle, llamas, and Himalayan tahr were either too far away from the driveway or not visible at all during our visit.
A couple of tips: if you’re planning to stay longer than three hours, bring food along as there are picnic tables where you can stop and eat. Also, it can get very cold up there, so warm clothing like beanies, gloves, and jackets are definitely recommended.
The only downside was communication. I tried contacting them by phone and email to update the registration number of our rental car (due to an unexpected change) but never received a reply. That said, when we initially booked, we were provided with an emergency access code, which worked perfectly and allowed us to enter and exit smoothly without issue.
Overall, this is a truly memorable experience I’d 100% recommend for couples, families, or friends visiting Queenstown."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Deer Park Heights is a scenic 20-minute drive from Queenstown city center, located about 4km down Peninsula Road on Kelvin Heights.
No, access to Deer Park Heights is exclusively for private vehicles. You must have your own car or a rental car to enter the park.
Yes, a standard two-wheel-drive vehicle is generally sufficient to navigate the park roads.
The roads within the park are generally well-maintained, allowing for a comfortable drive. However, it's advisable to drive at a normal pace to fully enjoy the experience and observe the animals.
Parking is not a concern as you drive through the park. The experience is designed for you to stay in your vehicle, with designated areas to stop and observe or feed animals.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry is typically around $55-$75 per private vehicle, allowing up to 8 people. +1 It's best to check their official website for the most current pricing.
Yes, booking online in advance is highly recommended as the park often sells out. This also helps manage visitor numbers for a better experience.
Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's advisable to check the official Deer Park Heights website for the most up-to-date information on operating times before your visit.
Communication regarding updates like vehicle registration numbers can be challenging. While some visitors have reported difficulty getting a response via phone or email, an emergency access code provided during booking usually ensures smooth entry.
While specific discounts aren't widely advertised, booking as a group in one vehicle can be more cost-effective.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can see and feed a variety of animals including deer, Kunekune pigs, llamas, goats, highland cows, stags, bison, donkeys, sheep, and miniature horses. +2 Animal feed is available for purchase.
Most visitors spend around 2 to 4 hours exploring the park, taking in the views, and interacting with the animals. You could easily spend longer if you wish to picnic or simply relax.
Yes, Deer Park Heights features several iconic filming sites from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, adding an extra layer of magic for fans.
You can get out of your vehicle in certain designated areas to feed some of the animals. However, it's crucial to follow all safety guidelines and respect the animals' space.
The park offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, the surrounding mountains, and Queenstown. Even on cloudy days, the scenery is breathtaking.
🍽️ 🍎 Food & Dining
Animal feed is available for purchase for $2 per bucket. There are picnic tables available if you wish to bring your own food and enjoy a meal amidst the scenery.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and utilize the picnic areas within the park.
Deer Park Heights is primarily a drive-through wildlife park and scenic viewpoint. There are no on-site restaurants or cafes.
Purchase the designated animal feed buckets for $2 each. It's recommended to get two buckets if you want to feed more animals and ensure they are well-fed and happy.
The feed provided is specifically formulated for the animals. It's best to only feed them the provided feed and not offer them other food items.
📸 📸 Photography
Everywhere! From the animals up close to the sweeping panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains, the photo opportunities are endless.
Yes, the animals are quite accustomed to visitors. You can get very close to many of them, especially when offering feed, making for fantastic photo opportunities.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. A zoom lens can be helpful for capturing distant animals or details, but it's not essential for most shots.
The entire park is a photo opportunity! Pull over at any scenic viewpoint or where animals are visible to capture the moment.
Drone usage policies can vary. It's best to check with Deer Park Heights directly or local aviation regulations before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Remember to bring plenty of $2 coins for the animal feed and pack warm clothing, as kids can get chilly quickly. 💑 Couples & Romantic Getaways
+1 Consider packing a picnic to enjoy at one of the scenic spots for a truly romantic interlude. 📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Capture intimate moments with the animals or wide-angle shots of the stunning vistas. The changing light throughout the day offers different moods for your photography. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Wonderland of Animals
While many animals are readily visible and approachable, some, like stags, bison, and Highland cattle, might be further away or less visible depending on the day.
It's important to note that while interaction is encouraged, visitors should always respect the animals' space and follow park guidelines for everyone's safety. Breathtaking Scenery and Filming History
Even on overcast days, the scenery remains dramatic and captivating. For fans of epic cinema, Deer Park Heights holds a special significance as it was a filming location for 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy.
The combination of natural beauty and cinematic history makes Deer Park Heights a unique and memorable destination. Planning Your Visit: Practicalities
+1While driving through the park, remember that the weather can change rapidly. It's highly recommended to pack warm layers, including beanies and gloves, even during summer months.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit