Entry Tickets
Kids Go Free
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is offering a “Kids Go Free” promotion from July 3 to 19. This includes penguin and wildlife experiences in Franz Josef. Every family enters a draw to win a VIP wildlife experience!
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Every family enters a draw to win a VIP wildlife experience!
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!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kiwi
Kiwi are a flightless, nocturnal bird, found only in New Zealand. There are five different species of kiwi, all of which are endangered due to the introduction of predators and habitat loss. The Rowi and Haast tokoeka are the two most endangered kiwi in the world, with fewer than 650 of each bird remaining. Rowi are restricted to the Okarito Forest, north of Franz Josef Glacier, and the Haast tokoeka are limited to a small area of forest near Haast, South Westland.
What is a tuatara
Tuatara are living fossils, surviving for over 250 million years and representing the last members of an ancient reptile order that predates the dinosaurs. Native only to New Zealand, they grow slowly, can live for more than 100 years, and even have a unique light-sensitive “third eye.” Seeing a tuatara up close is like stepping back in time and encountering one of Earth’s rarest and most remarkable survivors.
When is the penguin feeding time
The penguin feeding times are at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. Make sure to catch it, it's a real treat!
What does the all day pass include
Our Entry Pass gets you access to see the live kiwi, tuatara, little blue penguins, glacier and wildlife displays, plus the chance to attend things like the penguin feeding times at 11 am and 3 pm daily.
How long should I plan to visit
Most visitors spend anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, though some stay for about an hour while others enjoy it for most of the day—and with your All-Day Pass valid for 48 hours with unlimited entry, you’re free to visit once, pop back later the same day, or return again the next day.