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The West Coast Wildlife Centre is an all weather visitor attraction located in Franz Josef, presenting rare Kiwi in an authentic environment.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is an all weather visitor attraction located in Franz Josef, presenting rare Kiwi in an authentic environment.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is an all weather visitor attraction located in Franz Josef.
The centre is the sole provider of the BNZ Operation Nest Egg TM incubation and captive rearing programme for the Rowi and Haast tokoeka, New Zealand's rarest Kiwi.
The forest and bush around the West Coast is dense and virtually completely untouched and the undergrowth is home to incredible wildlife, - much of which is rarely seen as it is often only active at night.
The superb quality nature films and interactives at the West Coast Wildlife Centre bring you the very special opportunity to view Juvenile Rowi - our rarest kiwi - in a natural walk through Nocturnal House setting with this fabulous wildlife New Zealand tour.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is one of the largest Kiwi Captive Rearing facilities in New Zealand and since opening in 2010 has successfully raised and released 180 Kiwi Chicks.
The Centre also brings to life the yarns and tales of the people of the West Coast; who mined, hunted, struggled and lived in this breathtaking but harsh environment.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$57.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$57.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$32.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$32.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$32.00
- Adult$52.00
- Child$32.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$32.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$42.00
- Adult$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyThe Kiwis were a highlight, with many visitors enjoying the close-up view of them (6 people said this).
- emergencyStaff were friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience (5 people said this).
- emergencyThe penguin feeding was a popular and enjoyable activity (3 people said this).
- emergencyThe exhibits were informative and engaging, providing a good mix of wildlife (4 people said this).
- emergencyThe café offered a nice retreat with plenty of options (3 people said this).
- emergencyThe entry fee supports conservation efforts, which many appreciated (2 people said this).
- star_shineConsider visiting during quieter times for a more personal experience.
Don’t miss the penguin feeding times for a special treat.
Showing all 257 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry
Thank you for the lovely review — we’re so pleased you enjoyed your visit! The Little Blue Penguins are certainly full of personality, and the feeding times are always a highlight for many of our visitors. Our team really enjoys sharing their stories and explaining the conservation work that goes into caring for these amazing birds. If you didn’t get the chance during your visit, remember that your ticket is valid for 48 hours with unlimited entry, so you’re very welcome to come back and enjoy the talks again or explore the other areas of the centre such as the Glacier Attraction, Wild West Coast storytelling area, and the VIP Backstage Pass where you can see behind the scenes of our kiwi conservation work. Thanks again for visiting and for supporting our conservation programmes. We’re delighted you had a great experience! 🐧🥝
Scott Chapman-Wallis from United Kingdom wrote on 18 January 2026
Not fully open, but still worthwhile
The latest part (penguin experience) wasn't open when we visited, so the team were offering discount tickets. The rest of it, kiwis and tuatara were worth visiting. Lots of information especially regarding the ongoing conservation efforts (project nest egg)
From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry
Thank you for your kind review — we’re really pleased you still enjoyed your visit. You’re quite right that when you visited the Little Blue Penguin Experience hadn’t opened yet, which is why we were offering discounted admission tickets at the time, and we really appreciate your understanding while that part of the centre was being completed. It’s great to hear you enjoyed seeing the kiwi and tuatara, and that the information about our conservation work — particularly Project Nest Egg — resonated with you. Our team is very proud of the role the centre plays in helping protect endangered species like the rowi kiwi, many of which have been hatched and raised here before being released back into the wild. If you’re ever back in Franz Josef, we’d love to welcome you again — the Little Blue Penguin Encounter is now open and adds a wonderful new dimension to the experience. Thanks again for visiting and for supporting our conservation work. 🥝🐧
Paul Matthews from United Kingdom wrote on 14 December 2025
Great Wildlife Centre!!
We visited in November and had a wonderful time. The Kiwis were a delight - once our eyes adjusted to the relative darkness - and also the Penguins and Tuatara. Penguin feeding was a treat, especially advice on the rescues carried out, and the work to nurture them back to health. A special mention must go to the staff, who all made us welcome. Thank you!! The cafe was also a welcome retreat during our stay.
From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry
hank you so much for your wonderful review — we’re delighted you had such a great visit! Seeing the kiwi in the nocturnal house is a special experience for many of our guests, and as you discovered, once your eyes adjust to the darkness it’s fantastic to watch these remarkable birds going about their nightly activities. We’re also glad you enjoyed meeting the Little Blue Penguins and tuatara. The penguin feeding sessions are always a favourite, and our team loves sharing the stories of the rescue and rehabilitation work that goes into caring for these birds before they can hopefully return to the wild. Your kind words about the staff mean a lot to us — I’ll be sure to pass your comments on to the team. It’s also great to hear the café was a welcome place to relax during your visit. Thank you again for visiting and for supporting the conservation work we do here on the West Coast. We hope to welcome you back again one day! 🥝🐧
Dana Carter from New Zealand wrote on 03 February 2026
Wildlife Centre review
I thought it was OK but for the money I didn't think it was great value as I've been to other wildlife centres where there is more to do. We were through there in not very long.
From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry
hank you for taking the time to share your thoughts — we really appreciate the feedback. It’s worth noting that Bookme tickets are offered at a heavily discounted promotional rate, which many visitors take advantage of to experience the centre at a much lower price than standard admission. While the centre itself is quite compact, there are several areas that can sometimes be missed on a quick visit, including the Glacier Attraction, our Wild West Coast storytelling area, and the VIP Backstage Pass where visitors can see behind the scenes of our kiwi conservation work and learn about the incubation and hatching programme. Also, just as a reminder, your ticket is valid for 48 hours with unlimited re-entry, so many guests choose to return later the same day or the following day to catch the kiwi and penguin talks or explore parts of the centre they may not have seen the first time. Thanks again for visiting and for supporting the conservation work we do here on the West Coast — it really does make a difference for species like the rowi kiwi and little blue penguins. 🥝🐧
Anjali Naik from United Kingdom wrote on 03 March 2026
Cute But Small
Great efforts at conservation but the centre is tiny especially considering the price of entry.
From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry
Thank you for your feedback — and we really appreciate your kind words about the conservation work. Our centre is intentionally designed to be quite intimate, allowing visitors to get unusually close to some of New Zealand’s most special wildlife while also supporting important conservation programs, including the incubation and hatching of endangered kiwi. While the building itself is compact, many visitors spend longer exploring the Glacier Attraction, our Wild West Coast storytelling area, and the VIP Backstage Pass experience, where you can see behind the scenes of our kiwi conservation work. These areas can sometimes be easy to miss on a quick visit. It’s also worth noting that your entry ticket is valid for 48 hours with unlimited re-entry, so many guests choose to return later the same day or the following day to catch talks and feeding sessions they may have missed, making the visit much better value. Thanks again for visiting and for supporting the conservation work we do here on the West Coast. 🥝🐧
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Anna Williams from Australia wrote on 03 March 2026
Great experience
Loved the wildlife centre. The penguins were so cute and the feeding was awesome