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 the Glacier Hot Pools in Franz Josef Glacier ,book online ,and save!
Combine the 2 most popular all weather attractions on the West Coast where you can see the world’s rarest kiwi and the largest kiwi hatching facility in the South Island while at the same time soak in the amazing Hot pools nestled in lush rainforest and a real haven of tranquility.
A perfect way to relax and rewind — rain or shine.
- SAVE $10 pp Adult
- SAVE $7 pp Child
- SAVE $15 for a Family Pass ( 2 Adults and up to the 3 children aged 5-15 )
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
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.
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.
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.
Book Tickets
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.
Learn more
Book Tickets
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.
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.
Sponsor a kiwi chick
The rowi and the Haast tokoeka are the two most endangered kiwi in the world, with less than 500 of each bird remaining. rowi are restricted to the Okarito Forest, north of Franz Josef Glacier, and the Haast tokoeka are restricted to a small area of forest near Haast, South Westland.
Sponsoring a kiwi chick will help to save the rowi and Haast tokoeka from extinction. Your donation will help to fund kiwi husbandry costs including kiwi food, brooder equipment, incubation equipment and health and hygiene products.
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:
Cafe Wild
Wild West Shop
West Coast Story Telling
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