Meet and discover New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the rowi, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef, West Coast, New Zealand.

A partnership with The Department of Conservation & Te Runanga o Makaawhio.
Open from 8am every day of the year, the West Coast Wildlife Centre is a unique and interactive experience that brings together nature, conservation and wildlife all under one roof! Our all-weather attraction is fun for all ages to explore and takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Franz Josef Glacier.
The Kiwi & Tuatara fully guided Backstage Pass Tours are highly recommended.Booking essential.

Visit both the West Coast Wildlife Centre and Lake Matheson ,book online ,and save!

Visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef and take an easy and flat walk around Lake Matheson-near Fox Glacier – and together we will donate $4 pp (Adult & Child Tickets) toward the Department of Conservation Omoeroa ranges rowi kiwi sanctuary project.

Over 27 rowi kiwi have been introduced into this area helped us all bring the rowi kiwi back from the very edge of extinction.

Lake Matheson is a 25 minute drive south of Franz Josef and has a stunning cafe and place to unwind and relax.

SAVE $4 pp Adult
SAVE $4 pp Child

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Did You Know?

Rowi are a nationally vulnerable threatened species with only 500 remaining in the wild.
There are even less of the Haast tokoeka with only 400 in the Haast sanctuary making them a nationally critical threatened species.
Kiwi lay HUGE eggs, about 20% of the female’s body weight. This is the equivalent of a human giving birth to a 3-4 year old child
Kiwi are monogamous — they’ll only have one partner for life and won’t breed until around 4-5 years old.
Open 365 days of the year from 8.00am daily.

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The Attraction – Self Guided

Set aside 30 minutes to take a self-guided tour of our indoor attraction and see rowi kiwi in our natural bush walkthrough, highly endangered Tuatara, or purchase our famous Backstage Pass combo ticket’s to get a ﬁrst-hand, behind the scenes look at our hatching and incubation programme and our Tuatara Encounter.

The more you put into the attraction the more you will get out of it.Just like life really.

Don’t miss our Glacier area, or Wild West Coast storytelling old hut, to discover the incredible stories and pioneering spirit that brought explorers over to the Glaciers in the past, and still does so to this very day.

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All Day 24 Hour Unlimited Pass – Self Guided

Visit at your own pace.See live kiwi and live Tuatara and re-visit the attraction as many times as you like within a 24-hour period.Set aside 30-40 minutes.
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Kiwi Backstage Pass Tour – Fully Guided

Your ticket includes the 24 Hour Unlimited Pass.The Kiwi Backstage Pass Tour takes you behind the scenes to see our kiwi hatching programme. You are permitted to take photographs.Spaces are limited.Booking essential.
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Tuatara Backstage Pass Tour – Fully Guided

Your ticket includes the 24 Hour Unlimited Pass.The Tuatara Backstage Pass Tour takes you behind the scenes to see our Tuatara.You are permitted to take photographs.Spaces are limited.Booking essential.

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Super Combo VIP Gold Ticket- Fully Guided

Your ticket includes the 24 Hour Unlimited Pass and both the Kiwi and Tuatara Backstage Pass Tours.Also included is a free professional photo and quality themed folder.Spaces are limited.Booking essential.

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Award Winning

As well as our unique indoor attraction, we also run a very popular gift and souvenir store. Our Café is a relaxing place to grab a drink and our bakery can make you a packed lunch for your trip up the Glacier! Learn more by clicking below: