Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass | La Vacanza Travel

Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass

Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Destination: New Zealand, South Island, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
from
28.68

Check Availability

  • 1 to 2 hours
  • Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Voted one of the 12 must-see things to visit in New Zealand by Lonely Planet, the West Coast Wildlife Centre is the largest kiwi hatching facility in the South Island and the foremost indoor, all-weather attraction in Franz Josef.  You are guaranteed to see live kiwi during the day inside our nocturnal house, including the world's rarest kiwis.  Discover the interactive glacier attraction and West Coast storytelling areas or go behind the scenes on the “Kiwi & Tuatara Backstage Pass Tour.”  Numbers are very limited on the 40-minute Backstage Pass Tour so advanced bookings are highly recommended.  You'll also find the best shopping in Franz Josef inside the all-weather facility and enjoy free Wi-Fi in the café. Recommended " best Coffee" in Franz Josef by Tripadvisor customers.
If you purchase a VIP Backstage Pass Tour your general admission ticket is included in the price.

What Can You Expect?

Visit: West Coast Wildlife Centre, Cnr Cowan & Cron Streets Bright Green Building, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7886 New Zealand

The centre is open every day from 8.30am.  Please set aside at least 1-2 hours for your visit. 

A free takeaway learning booklet is provided at no extra charge.  All tickets purchased are valid for 48 hours. This means guests can come in and out of the attraction as often as they like. 

During your visit, you'll be able to see live kiwi during the day inside the nocturnal house, See live Tuatara, and discover the interactive glacier attraction and storytelling areas/films as well as films and information around NZ's ambitious goal to become predator free by 2050.

You'll also have the option to go behind the scenes on the VIP Backstage Pass Tour rated “highly recommended” by Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Award winner for 2022. A fully guided 40-minute tour behind the scenes to see our kiwi incubation and hatching and Tuatara programmes.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Local taxes
  • Free car parking
  • Entry/Admission - West Coast Wildlife Centre

Exclusions
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • DVD (available to purchase)

Additional Info

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Main attraction is wheelchair friendly, but backstage pass tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Photography is restricted inside the kiwi nocturnal house but available on the kiwi backstage pass tour
  • Proof of age require if purchasing a senior ticket (over 65 years of age)
  • Cafe with food and coffee available to purchase. All major credit cards accepted
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Duration & Voucher Info

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

1 to 2 hours

Cancellation Policy

User's Reviews

blondiesmp

26 Apr, 2024

Kath was so wonderful. Friendly and informative. You can see she loves what she does. The kiwis are absolutely beautiful. Great experience. Diane & Sharon

Travel24910826152

15 Apr, 2024

After a long hike in the rain, I decided to stop in. Unlike my hike in the rain, this did not disappoint. Steve was the best, super informative and answered every question I had. I absolutely loved learning more about our native species and seeing all the work they do to help save them. Tino ataahua te mahi!

T6015DRtoms

09 Apr, 2024

Tom and Anne from Australia did the VIP Kiwi and Tuatara Backstage Tour. Amber was our guide. She gave us so much interesting information. We learned so much on this tour, well worth the time. We enjoyed looking at the tuatara, just amazing! Thanks Amber

786desid

03 Apr, 2024

This was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience and a must-do when in Franz Josef. I purchased the earliest behind-the-scenes tour (10 AM) and arrived at the Wildlife Centre right when they opened. Before the tour started, I visited the Kiwi exhibit where the Kiwi birds were awake, energetic, running around, and enjoying their breakfast. During the tour, the guide explained that the Kiwi birds are exposed to bright white light at night to simulate the day, and they are exhibited under dim lights during our day, which is their 'night,' allowing visitors to observe them. The backstage behind-the-scenes tour provided a significant amount of information about how the Wildlife Centre is helping to increase the Kiwi population, as well as information about the little Kiwi bird itself. I learned much more than I expected, and I couldn't believe how close I was able to get to the Kiwi birds for such a long time! 10/10 I would highly recommend this experience. P.S. saw two Kiwis, but went through the exhibit 3 times, so pretty much saw 6 Kiwis :-)

Q6438PImichelem

03 Apr, 2024

We had an amazing time at West Coast Wildlife Center! There were 2 couples and all four of us loved being there. The guide was informative and we had plenty of time to enjoy looking at the Tuatars and the Kiwis.

User's Picture Gallery

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Beats the rain

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Don't Miss It

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Saw Kiwis playing and learned so much about these feathered potatoes!

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Love it!

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Wonderful Tour - Lots to Learn!!!

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So Informative

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Backstage pass is a must!

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Seeing a kiwi with your own eyes + nice food!

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Must see when in Franz Josef

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Great experience

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Amazing!!

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Backstage tour joy

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Awesome experience.

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Superb kiwi and tuatara encounter

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A Must Visit!

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Behind the scenes tour ...

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A+ wildlife centre

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The Chance to see a Kiwi - do th backstage tour which was great!

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Kiwi Visit 2020

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Sehr informativ für Kiwi Fans

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