This was a very interesting tour, we learned a lot about kiwis life. Our guide-Steve was very well prepared and the tour was like a story. New Zealand is a lesson for the entire world how to protect nature and also how to make nature reborn. We managed to see 2 kiwi birds and they were quite active. We recommend the tour, it took only 45 minute and the entering ticket has a 48 hours validity.

We’re often sceptical of these ‘wildlife’ experiences but can’t praise this one enough. We bought the ‘behind the scenes, 48 hour’ pass and it was well worth it. We spent a fascinating hour with Steve, who gave us a great insight into the amazing conservation and kiwi population increasing work that they do at the centre. He was so knowledgeable and had a number of interesting videos/props. The viewing of the actual kiwis (2x year old birds) was a real highlight of our trip to New Zealand. To watch them so close up and hear them snuffling in the search for food was unforgettable. Our 48 hour pass gave us 3 chances to pop in and see them again before we left. Fabulous!

The wildlife centre has created a perfect environment for rearing and viewing kiwis. The ticket is valid for 48 hours so you can choose the best time, which seems to be morning. We were made very welcome, and given an introduction to the facility. It's quite dark in there and can take 10 minutes to be able to see properly. The kiwis are very close and quite active. We were enchanted. They also have tuatata lizards (also rare). Try challenging them to a staring match!

An absolute gem of a spot! My family stopped at a few Kiwi centers and aviaries during our trip and this one was by far the best place to see a Kiwi. The habitat takes up a large % of the building and we were able to see two of the birds very easily even in the darkness. They were quite active and utterly adorable! There is a wall up to about belly level and don’t miss the glass near the ground, when the kiwis come up to the wall you can see them so well. The owner was actually working the counter when we arrive and he was so excited to share about the center and his conservation efforts. A must see while in Franz Josef!

We came in only 45 minutes before closing and bought a regular entry ticket. Time was a little too short, but you can actually come in again the next day with your ticket to read everything you missed. However, for watching the two kiwis in the dark, the timing was absolutely perfect, so I encourage everyone to step in. Even if there is not much time left that day. The information on the boards was very interesting and nicely visualized. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. Considering they are doing a good deed with the ticket money, I can only recommend the visit.

Had the back stage pass - struck very lucky having Kath as our guide. Incredibly knowledgeable and her enthusiasm was infectious. Although our visit was out of the breeding season Kath explained the process in great detail. Absolute bonus getting up close to the reptiles and fascinated by the locust House - on site fast food!

We did the guided visit. Steve (the guide) explained perfect all the details about the life of kiwi rowi and tuatara. We strongly recommend you to visit West Coast Wildlife Center! It's the only way to see real kiwis and tuataras. Highly recommended visit. It's the only way to see the kiwi rowi and the tuatara. The latter is one of the few animals still alive that came to live with the dinosaurs, a true relic of the past, less famous than the kiwi; but equally unique and worthy of protection by humans. It is advisable to take the guided tour because the Guide does it very well.

This is a great rainy day activity. The centre has the very rare Rowi Kiwi. They are nocturnal so you are in the dark and you have to let your eyes adjust in order to see them. They have very long beaks and their nostrils are at the tip of their beaks. Rowi are local to Franz Josef and there is a huge effort to increase their numbers. We also saw a glacier exhibit featuring the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. These glaciers are two of the very few glaciers in the world that extend through temperate rainforest to areas around 300 metres.

I took a guided tour of the facilities, where they hatch Kiwi eggs. Very explanatory with guide information and videos. I came out very happy with my visit, but it’s not given. I also saw a tuatara a kind of reptile. Very interesting and indigenous to the NZ. Visit in English.

I stopped here as part of a Gate 1 tour. This was the most thorough explanation of a Kiwi’s life cycle that I got on the trip so far, and it was also the closest we got to the kiwi itself as they were in an open enclosure you got to walk through. Very neat trip, and the gift shop was pretty expansive, too!