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The West Coast Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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$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$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$57.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$42.00
- 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$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$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$25.00
- 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$52.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$32.00
- 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
- 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
- Adult$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$36.00
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 253 authenticated Bookme reviews
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.
Lynette from Australia wrote on 30 October 2025
Definitely worth the visit
Fun, informative exhibits. Who doesn't love penguins? So worth going to a feeding. Staff very personable and dedicated. Thanks Steve especially for all your advice and help. Great team of people work here.
lindaw19 from New Zealand wrote on 18 December 2025
Expensive Entry Fee
Extremely disappointed with the cost of entry. We thought we would be able to spend at least 2 - 3 hours viewing the inside. The penguins of course was the highlight if you were able to see them. Not very well set up for viewing and needed seating. Because of the price we wouldn't go back.
Kylie from New Zealand wrote on 10 January 2026
Informative but expensive
Seeing the kiwi so close was amazing, and we really enjoyed the blue penguins feeding. A great facility for the wildlife. However, the cost for this experience was very prohibitive. At $200 for a family of 4, I can’t imagine many local tourists would be able to visit. I don’t believe this felt like value for money, but am glad a portion of this went to conservation efforts.
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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)