The must-do visit in Franz Josef.
Together, we will help save the World’s Rarest Kiwi.
Open Daily ( including Xmas Day )8.30 am to 6.00 pm – 7 Days.
$399pp – Hokitika & Franz Josef – The West Coast 2 Night – 4 Star – Getaway.
What a deal !
2 Nights of Luxury accommodation, an Exhilarating Helicopter Flight Over Franz Josef Glacier, AND entry to see the world’s RAREST Kiwi at the West Coast Wildlife Centre.
What a deal – but be very quick !!
Relax and unwind in the soothing comfort of fresh, warm water and aromatic wood smoke, enjoy your own private tubs, nestled in a lush rainforest setting on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Bookings are now valid until 30th April 2025!
$449pp – Forest Bathing at The Glaciers
What a deal !
This is the above $399 pp package PLUS Waiou Hot Tubs in Franz Josef.
Relax and unwind in the soothing comfort of fresh, warm water and aromatic wood smoke, enjoy your own private tubs, nestled in a lush rainforest setting on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Enjoy your own private tubs, nestled in a lush rainforest setting on New Zealand’s West Coast
The wood-fired hot tubs combine the soothing comfort of warm water with the unique atmosphere of wood smoke to give you an unforgettable experience. Open from 10.30 am to 9 pm daily
Bookings are now valid until 30th April 2025!
Customer 5-star Reviews: A Great Experience
“This is a great informative centre for seeing both kiwi and tuatara and learning more about the region. Your tickets get you as many entries as you like within a 48 hour period which is perfect if you’re in Franz Josef waiting for the weather for a tour or heli ride. We went in multiple times and the kiwi were always up and active.”
Reviewed by sophie***
16 Jun 2023
A short film – What will you see ?!
The West Coast Wildlife Centre has introduced 353 rowi kiwi back into the wild in collaboration with The Department of Conservation.
Around 70% of the wild rowi population has now passed through this facility.
Meet and discover New Zealand’s kiwi, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef. The West Coast Wildlife Centre has hatched and incubated over 385 rowi kiwi -the rarest kiwi on the planet with less than 600 left alive in the wild today- come on in -book a VIP ticket to avoid disappointment -and enjoy a fun adventure ! . You pass is valid for 48 hours – what great value for money !.
Meet New Zealand’s rare kiwi, and discover our Rowi story, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef. Opening from 8.30am and closing at 6.00pm daily.
Kia ora!
As a Qualmark Gold accredited business and fully accredited member of ZAA (Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia), we have been independently validated as a quality tourism and wildlife business and we will deliver to you a quality visitor experience.
We are also New Zealand’s most successful public/private partnership with The Department of Conservation & Te Runanga o Makaawhio -and we warmly welcome guests to visit of all ages and all abilities.
We provide on-demand Operation Nest Egg (ONE) incubation and hatching services for the Haast tokoeka and the rowi kiwi.
As an indoor, all-weather attraction, we are open from 8.30 am to 6.00pm every day of the year (except on some public holidays). The West Coast Wildlife Centre is a unique and interactive experience that brings together nature, conservation, and wildlife all under one roof!
So much to see and do as well as the best coffee and choice of NZ-made retail gifts in Franz Josef! ( Tripadvisor Travellers Choice 2024 )
Our entry ticket is a 48 hours pass which means you can come in and out to suit yourself over a 2-day period.
Our conservation hub is fun for all ages to explore and takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Franz Josef Glacier.
Tip* – The VIP Fully Guided Backstage Pass Tour is a combo and is highly recommended by Tripadvisor & The Lonely Planet Guide. Booking essential.
The Attraction – It’s Self-Guided.
Unlimited 48 Hours Entry Pass.
Some guests take 30 minutes others take 2-3 hours to visit – so we suggest you take your time and make the most of your unlimited entry 48-hour pass.
The more you put into the attraction the more you will get out of it.
Take a self-guided tour of our indoor attraction and see live young kiwi in our natural bush walkthrough, discover highly endangered Tuatara, or purchase our famous VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at our hatching and incubation programme combined with our Tuatara Encounter.
Don’t miss our Fox and Franz Josef Glacier experience, or Wild West Coast storytelling, 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.
We also have a brand new “Fight For The Wild” display that shares New Zealand’s exciting plan to become predator free by 2050.
Did You Know?
- Rowi are a nationally vulnerable threatened species with less than 600 remaining in the wild.
- There are even fewer of the Haast tokoeka with less than 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.
- We are open every day of the year (including Christmas Day) and some public holidays )from 8.30 am daily.
48-Hour General 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 48-hour period for no additional charge.
VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour
Don’t miss this! This ticket includes the 48-Hour General Pass. Set aside 40 minutes for this guided tour with one of our experienced wildlife rangers. The VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour takes you behind the scenes to see our kiwi hatching and incubation facility and our Tuatara Encounter.
VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour
You are permitted to take photographs. Spaces are limited ( 8 people/tour). Booking essential.kiwi viewing is not guaranteed.
Sponsor a kiwi chick
Sponsor a kiwi chickThe Rowi and the Haast tokoeka are the two most endangered kiwi in the world, with less than 600 of each bird remaining. Rowi are restricted to the Okarito Forest and the Omoeroa, 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.
Sponsor Now
Award Winning
As well as our unique indoor attraction, we also run a very popular local gift store. Looking for the best coffee in Franz Josef! Guest tells us that our Café is a relaxing place to grab a drink and our bakery can make you a packed lunch for your day out exploring!
Cafe Wild
Wild West Shop
