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

4.6
175
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 19 Dec to 1 Jan 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Thu 19 Dec
Fri 20 Dec
Sat 21 Dec
Sun 22 Dec
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan

  • 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

  • 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

Bookings close in 1 hour...

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

  • Adult$69.00
  • 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$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

Bookings close in 3 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

Bookings close in 5 hours...

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

  • Adult$59.00
  • 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

  • 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

  • Adult$59.00 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
Kiwi Encounter Come for the kiwi, stay for the tuatara! Informative VIP Tour Superb. 2 live kiwi 🙏❤️ A Great day out in Franz Josef
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4.6

175 reviews

Showing all 175 authenticated Bookme reviews

Lynda Joy from United Kingdom wrote on 10 December 2024

Review

Well worth the visit. We found it very informative.

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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.

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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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