Lilliput Animal Farm - the animal park that will remind you of childhood fun
Lilliput Animal Farm has been part of the Taupo visitor scene since 2000, but the Lilliput you visit today began a new chapter when Bev and Paul took over the closed park in 2019.
Since then, they've been steadily bringing it back to life – improving the grounds, caring for the animals and rebuilding Lilliput Animal Farm as a place where people can slow down, enjoy being outdoors and experience animals at close quarters.
"We wanted to retain the feel of an old-school farm park – somewhere you can wander along outdoor tracks beneath mature trees, hand-feed animals at the fence, sit with the rabbits and let children explore and play. It's rustic, relaxed and deliberately a little bit of a step back in time. Most importantly, the animals are friendly, healthy and happy to interact. That's the part of Lilliput Animal Farm we're proudest of."
Term 4 Hours from 13 October - 18th December 2026
Monday - Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday and Friday OPEN 10 - 1
Weekends and Public Holidays ( except Xmas Day) OPEN 10 -2
Group Bookings possible any day - please contact us
Thursday and Friday OPEN 10 - 1
Weekends and Public Holidays ( except Xmas Day) OPEN 10 -2
Group Bookings possible any day - please contact us
At all times we have last entries one hour prior to closing time – this is to allow you time to get around the park.
Occasionally we might close for bad weather or exceptional circumstances so check our Facebook page for urgent updates or call 07 378 7979.
Our animals come first
Looking after the animals properly shapes the way we run the park. That includes limiting the hours they're around visitors. Once Lilliput Animal Farm closes for the day, the animals get their own space and plenty of uninterrupted downtime. It makes a difference. When the gates open again, they're usually just as interested in seeing the visitors – and the food they're carrying – as the visitors are in seeing them.
“Wonderful farm for all ages... Animals were gentle and friendly (and we loved seeing their personalities)! You can see they're very well taken care of... The owner was so kind and lovely to chat with.”
Xing Yi Tan, Google review
Meet Bev and Paul
Bev and Paul are the owner-operators of Lilliput Animal Farm, and you'll usually meet one or both of them during your visit. For Bev, talking to people is almost as important as looking after the animals. She loves seeing regular visitors return, meeting people travelling through Taupo and watching families simply enjoy being together.
She's also very happy to talk animals. Ask a question about one of Lilliput Animal Farm's more unusual residents and you may learn far more than you expected – particularly if lizards are involved.
Before Lilliput Animal Farm, Bev and Paul were involved in Taupo tourism through Action World Taupo, which they operated until 2018.
Rebuilding one step at a time
Taking over a closed animal park proved to be quite an adventure.
Since 2019, Lilliput Animal Farm has weathered Covid, damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, State Highway 1 closures and more than its fair share of dreadful summer weather. Through it all, the park has continued to grow. Improvements are made as time and funds allow, but there's one thing Bev and Paul aren't interested in changing: the easygoing farm character that makes Lilliput what it is.
Visitors seem to agree. Some come back every school holidays. Others discover Lilliput Animal Farm while visiting Taupo and tell us it became one of the unexpected highlights of their trip. And if you want to find out more about what to see and do in the Taupo region - ask Bev! She is happy to share all her knowledge on the area and what things might suit you or your family or group.
We look forward to meeting you - come and visit soon. We are only 10 minutes from Taupo and located at 136 Link Road, Oruanui, Taupo.
