48-hour All-Day Pass
48-hour ticket to see live Penguins, live Kiwi, live Tuatara, and our incredible glacier attraction. Live Penguin feeding at 11 am and 3 pm daily. Time Required: 30 minutes to 2 hours. Remember, the more you put into the attraction, the more you will get out of it.
:format(avif))
:format(avif))
We only preserve what we love, We only love what we understand, We only understand what we study
Open daily and conveniently located inside the West Coast Wildlife Centre. It is the perfect location to browse and relax. Meet our friendly and well-trained team, who are helpful and knowledgeable.
It’s the ideal way to start your day — unwind with a flat white, browse our locally inspired gifts and souvenirs, and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife experience where you’ll encounter three of New Zealand’s most iconic and endangered species — kiwi, tuatara, and little blue penguins (kororā) — all under one roof!
:format(avif))
:format(avif))
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kiwi?
A flightless, nocturnal bird found only in New Zealand. There are five species, all endangered through introduced predators and habitat loss. The rowi and Haast tokoeka are the two most endangered kiwi in the world, with fewer than 650 of each remaining. Rowi are restricted to the Ōkārito Forest north of Franz Josef Glacier, and Haast tokoeka to a small area of forest near Haast, South Westland.
What is a tuatara?
A living fossil that has survived over 250 million years. Tuatara are not lizards but the last surviving members of the ancient order Rhynchocephalia, which predates the dinosaurs by tens of millions of years. Native only to New Zealand, they grow slowly, can live more than 100 years, and have a light-sensitive third eye.
When is the penguin feeding?
Live penguin feeding runs twice daily, usually at 11am and 3pm. The times can change on the day, so please confirm at reception when you arrive.
What does the day pass include?
Access to the live kiwi, tuatara, little blue penguins, and the glacier and wildlife displays, plus the chance to attend the penguin feedings, usually at 11am and 3pm daily. We recommend you book a day pass online before you arrive.
How long should I plan to visit?
Most visitors spend from about 30 minutes up to two hours. Some stay an hour, others enjoy most of the day. Your All-Day Pass is valid for 48 hours, so you can visit once, pop back later the same day, or return the next day.