Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour

4.6
174
Experience the amazing West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the rare kiwi, complete with a guided backstage tour and fascinating Tuatara Encounter!

Experience the amazing West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the rare kiwi, complete with a guided backstage tour and fascinating Tuatara Encounter!

The VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour is a combo ticket including West Coast Wildlife Centre entry PLUS a guided 30-45 minute informative tour with one of our Kiwi Rangers through the incubation and chick rearing facility. You'll also enjoy a fascinating Tuatara encounter where you can view up-close the prehistoric tuatara that is endemic only to New Zealand.

The Backstage Pass is hugely popular – especially during the summer months - and is classed as a ‘Top Pick’ by Lonely Planet Travel Guides.

Visitors will see where and how eggs are processed when they first arrive at the West Coast Wildlife Centre. They will learn about incubation procedures and take a look at the room where the eggs are cared for. Finally, visitors will get a chance to view the Brooder Room where the kiwi chicks are housed and reared during their time with us.

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 New Zealand's rarest Kiwi, the Rowi and Haast tokoeka. Since opening in 2010 the West Coast Wildlife Centre has successfully raised and released over 240 Kiwi Chicks.

West Coast Wildlife Centre entry gives visitors the very special chance to view juvenile Rowi in a natural walk through Nocturnal House setting. This self-guided attraction also includes educational and interactive displays and wildlife films offering an opportunity to learn about the Glacier and the unique West Coast region.

Adult $69.00
Child $30.00 (5 - 15 years)

What's included

  • Wildlife Centre Entry
  • 30 - 45 Minute Guided Tour
  • Tuatara Encounter

Location

  • Cnr Cowan & Cron Streets, Franz Josef

Notes

  • Conditions: All children must be accompanied by an adult. Child age is 15 years and under.

    Please Note: The Backstage Pass requires a good level of understanding of English and is not suitable for children under 8 years of age.

    Please ensure that you arrive ten minutes prior to your tour as the tours depart on time and if you are late, you will miss out.

  • Non-flash photography is permitted on the Backstage Pass under close supervision by your Kiwi Ranger guide. All kiwi chicks will be viewed behind glass.

    Kiwi chicks will be available to view on the Backstage Pass tour from October to March (subject to change and breeding season)

Available Bookings from 11 Oct to 24 Oct 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Fri 11 Oct
Sat 12 Oct
Sun 13 Oct
Mon 14 Oct
Tue 15 Oct
Wed 16 Oct
Thu 17 Oct
Fri 18 Oct
Sat 19 Oct
Sun 20 Oct
Mon 21 Oct
Tue 22 Oct
Wed 23 Oct
Thu 24 Oct

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$66.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$66.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$68.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$30.00

Bookings close in 9 hours...

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

  • Adult$69.00
  • Child$30.00

Bookings close in 11 hours...

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$62.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

  • Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$25.00

Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

174 reviews

Showing all 174 authenticated Bookme reviews

clea pattison from Australia wrote on 14 July 2024

Fabulous and informative

Our family really enjoyed this experience. Our host was friendly and informative and the kids loved getting up close with some of the locals.

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From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour

Thanks so much for the 5 star review and delighted that you really enjoyed your visit.

richellef from Australia wrote on 02 July 2024

Awesomme tour

Very informative, impressive what they do was a great wee tour...but do check as kiwis only born spring and summer...but was great all the same...!

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From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour

Really appreciate you taking the time to place a review and the team are so pleased that you enjoyed your guided tour.

Mari Walsh from New Zealand wrote on 19 May 2024

Have to Do!

Cath our guide was fantastic... we learned so much about the Rowi Kiwi and Tuatara

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gretchens1 from United States wrote on 15 May 2024

Awesome tour

Our guide was so knowledgeable. There was so much information about the kiwi and the little "dinosaurs"! Great tour!

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From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour

Thank you for the 5 star review and delighted that you found your fully guided tour ' Awesome!" Really appreciate you taking the time to share your review with future guests.

Sarah Dunleavy from Australia wrote on 26 March 2024

Very informative, glad we did this tour

Amber provided great information, spoke very well. So glad we paid extra to do the backstage pass.

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From Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre VIP Guided Backstage Pass Tour

So delighted that you enjoyed your visit and VIP Backstage Pass Tour . Appreciate you taking the time to place a review.

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

Child 5 - 15 years

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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