Tuatara Enclosure
A world-class new home for tuatara in the heart of Invercargill's Queens Park — bringing these remarkable living fossils closer to the public.
Now Open to the Public
The new Tuatara Enclosure at Queens Park opened its doors in 2024, giving visitors the chance to see tuatara up close in a specially designed, naturalistic habitat.
A New Home for Tuatara
As part of Project 1225, Invercargill City Council has built a stunning new tuatara enclosure in Queens Park. The enclosure provides a modern, naturalistic environment for tuatara — one of New Zealand's most iconic and ancient species.
The enclosure is designed to offer visitors an immersive experience, allowing them to observe tuatara in a habitat that closely replicates their natural environment.
Enclosure Concept Designs
Design concepts for the new tuatara enclosure at Queens Park
Queens Park Location
Nestled within the beautiful Queens Park, the new tuatara enclosure is easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. The location within the park creates a seamless connection between the natural environment and the cultural heritage represented by the tuatara.
Tuatara are the sole surviving members of an order of reptiles that flourished around 200 million years ago, making them truly remarkable living fossils and an important taonga for New Zealand.
Meet Henry
Henry is one of the resident tuatara and a beloved figure at the enclosure. These incredible creatures can live for over 100 years and continue to grow slowly throughout their lives.
Construction Scrim
During construction, the site was adorned with beautiful tuatara-themed scrim artwork.
Gallery
Visit the Tuatara Enclosure
Come and see these incredible ancient reptiles at Queens Park, Invercargill.
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