Auckland LION Safari PARK

11/01/2025

Memories...

27/10/2024

Remnants of the once popular Go-kart track which was built in 1981. In the background is the Managers house which was occupied by John Schmidt, Mavis Vance and son Jimi Vance who was a Park Ranger/Game Warden. There is also a comparison photo from 1984 from the same spot with the house still standing. The Luge ride started at the top of the hill to the right of the house. The finish point was near the Go-kart track.
Photo taken by Anonymous, October 2024
Please note: Comments can only be made by established followers, or those who have followed for more than 24 hours. Thanks

14/10/2024

Here's a Postcard (circa 1981-1983) from the Auckland Lion Safari.
LEFT HAND PICTURE.. Park Manager John Schmidt feeds one of the prides during a 11am, 2pm or 5pm public feeding session. Yes, you drove your car WITH your family into the compound to get close and personal with these magnificent beasts.
TOP RIGHT PICTURE.. Clyde the camel and his flock receiving treats from customers. The public were asked not to feed them anything except fruit and the packets of treats sold at our Cafeteria and Ticket office. Pictured is also a relatively new MK4 Ford Cortina.
BOTTOM LEFT PICTURE.. Two children enjoying one of the many Bumper Boats we had down our lake area. There were also paddle boats, a long Water Slide, A fortress and radio controlled boats (Which were also outside the cafeteria).
Image courtesy of NEW ZEALAND 1980s MEMORIES AND 1990s MEMORIES

PLease note: comments can only be made if you are already a page member, or 24 hours after this page is LIKED. Thanks

27/11/2022

Most West Auckland locals these days have no idea we had a Lion Safari Park not far from Massey High School during the 1980s

30/12/2021

Bryanna Yeager visited the park with her Mother Karen Mason who took these pictures on a school trip at an end of year excursion.in 1981.
The first photo shows the original park manager John Schmidt ready to take Bryanna and other passengers for a mini-train ride. The park had animal friendly interactive areas and other attractions for those not game enough to enter the Lion compounds. Activities included a petting zoo, camel 🐫 rides, downhill toboggan,flying fox, bumper boats, wooden fortress playground, water slide,radio controlled boats, animal and sheep shearing show, American pool high divers, barbecue and picnic areas, horse 🐎 drawn carriage rides.
Photo credits Karen Mason
Material supplied by Bryanna Yeager.

12/12/2021

Some of our original fridge magnets circa 1982-85.
The bright pink one is care of Daniel Peak.

28/08/2021

Bullens African Lion Safari Park (1969-1988) in Yatala, Queensland was one of many operations which the Auckland Lion Safari Park was based on. Stafford Bullen of BULLENS OPERATIONS teamed up with Chris Cambridge (Elton JOHNS former Promoter) to start the Auckland venture in 1980-81.

19/06/2021

1981. Stafford Bullen of Bullens Operations, signs a deal with Chris Cambridge and family to send a pride of lions to Auckland LION Safari PARK from Warragamba Dam, Australia.
Craig Bullen, Staffords son runs the family business today. But gone are the days when only the glass car windows separated customers from these magnificent beasts while driving through the lion compound.
This video shows the exact way the Auckland Lion Safari Park operated from its opening day in December 1981

The African Lion Safari Warragamba & Bullens Animal World Wallacia, AustraliaCredit: 7 News Sydney www.7News.com.au"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of...

17/02/2021

Over the years, we've had many references, comments and enquiries about Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch New Zealand.
Even today you can still experience the feeling of being inside a cage feeding the Lions as we did as Park Rangers at Auckland Lion Safari Park in the 1980's. Unfortunately you can't drive your car through the compound.
Here's the link... https://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/
Enjoy

09/02/2021

Auckland Lion Safari Park 1980's Pt1..
The first of our short clip YouTube series.
A walk down memory lane.
All rights RESERVED. Still Images from a video supplied by Richard Hall (Circa 1982-1983). Digitalised by John Hall.

The former Auckland Lion Safari Park

08/02/2021

A walk down memory lane for those of us who had the privilege of working at the AUCKLAND LION SAFARI PARK, and the many visitors during the 1980's...

The former Auckland Lion Safari Park