Dinosaur Discovery Track

This immersive educational experience in the Zoo’s former elephant habitat features 25 full-scale animatronic dinosaurs made by world-leading dinosaur creators, The Dinosaur Company.

These spectacular replicas move and roar (some even spit water!) and represent the rich diversity of life from our planet’s intriguing Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods of the Mesozoic Era between 252 - 66 million years ago!

“Although most dinosaurs went extinct the best part of 65 million years before the first humans evolved, they nevertheless have this incredible ability to intrigue and fascinate us about animals and epic wildlife. For many of us – including me – dinosaurs are a potent gateway drug that lead to a lifelong connection to nature and to conservation,” says Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley.

“Over the seven months that our Dinosaur Discovery Track is here, we hope that we inspire new audiences about not just extinct species, but to also get them excited and motivated about all those wildlife species that are still with us, and now desperately need all our help to stop them going the way of the dinosaurs and disappearing forever.”

Among the 19 dinosaur species you’ll encounter are the fabulously feathered Utahraptor (with babies) water loving Baryonyx, Tyrannosaurus (T-Rex) and rhinoceros-like Pachyrhinosaurus.

Interactive activities

As you explore the Track, you can try your hand as a palaeontologist and take part in fossil digs (this includes accessible height digs for wheelchair users) and via your phone, scan QR codes for dinosaur audio guides and augmented reality experiences.

There’ll also be Dinosaur Rangers roaming the Track to chat with, and free daily dinosaur keeper talks at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.45pm exploring dinosaur evolution, extinction, and how the dinosaurs’ legacy lives on!

Key info

• • Open Wednesday 2 April until Sunday 31 October 2025

• • Open daily from 10am - 5pm

• • Located in the former elephant habitat on the Africa Safari Track

• • Entry is free with an Auckland Zoo general admission ticket or an Auckland Zoo membership

Dinosaur membership

A Dinosaur Pass membership gives you unlimited entry to the entire Zoo including the Dinosaur Discovery Track for six months from date of purchase. Be in quick, unlike the tuatara, this pass will go extinct soon!

Available for purchase from 1 April till 30 June 2025.