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West Coast Wildlife Centre – General Admission | Franz Josef
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Queenstown, New Zealand
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Enjoy an unlimited 48 hour pass to the West Coast Wildlife Centre
A self-guided experience for wildlife lovers of all ages
See live young kiwi in the natural bush walkthrough & discover highly endangered Tuatara
Enjoy the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier experience + Wild West Coast storytelling
Discover the new “Fight For The Wild” display
Experience New Zealand's Rare Kiwi at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef
Kia ora! West Coast Wildlife Centre is the ultimate gateway to discovering New Zealand's precious kiwi, including the elusive Rowi!
As a Qualmark Gold accredited business and a proud member of the Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), the WCWC is dedicated to delivering a top-tier tourism and wildlife experience.
There's so much to see and do! Boasting the finest coffee and a selection of New Zealand-made retail gifts in Franz Josef, the West Coast Wildlife Centre was even awarded a Traveller Favourite in 2022.
This general admission ticket provides a 48-hour pass, allowing you to visit at your leisure over a two-day period. Why not dive into the conservation hub, a fun and informative experience set against the stunning backdrop of the Franz Josef Glacier? Or, explore the new 'Fight for the Wild' display that showcases New Zealand's ambitious plan to become predator-free by 2050!
Don't miss the chance to visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre! Open every day of the year (except Christmas Day and a few public holidays) from 8:30am onwards. Come, be a part of New Zealand's conservation journey and witness the remarkable wildlife like never before!
The West Coast Wildlife Centre has partnered with The Department of Conservation & Te Runanga o Makaawhio making them New Zealand's most successful public/private partnership in the realm of conservation.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre extends a warm welcome to guests of all ages and abilities, inviting you to explore and connect with nature in an indoor, all-weather environment.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Entry ticket is a 48 hours pass which means you can come in and out to suit yourself over a consecutive 2-day period.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is located in Franz Josef on the West Coast of the South Island.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is located approx.:
- 5.5 Hours From Christchurch
- 1.45 Hours South of Hokitika
From Christchurch International Airport follow the signs to Arthurs Pass and the West Coast. Travel through Hokitika and you will find the West Coast Wildlife Centre just 90 minutes south of Hokitika on the road down to Haast and Queenstown.
If you are travelling North from Queenstown then head for Haast and you will find Franz Josef approximately 120 minutes north from Haast — all very well signposted.
Driving Times to The West Coast Wildlife Centre
Queenstown to Franz Josef 4 ½ hours 352km
Haast to Franz Josef 2 hours 144km
Nelson to Franz Josef 5 ¾ hours 459km
Christchurch to Franz Josef 4 ¾ hours 379km
Greymouth to Franz Josef 2 hours 173km
Hokitika to Franz Josef 1 ¾ hours 134km
Please note: All driving times are estimates based on average traffic flow using Google Maps.
Yes! As well as the indoor attraction, there is also very popular local gift store. Looking for the best coffee in Franz Josef! Guest say that the Café is a relaxing place to grab a drink and the bakery can make you a packed lunch for your day out exploring!
- Rowi are a nationally vulnerable threatened species with less than 600 remaining in the wild.
- There are even fewer of the Haast tokoeka with less than 400 in the Haast sanctuary making them a nationally critical threatened species.
- Kiwi lay HUGE eggs, about 20% of the female’s body weight. This is the equivalent of a human giving birth to a 3-4-year-old child
- Kiwi are monogamous — they’ll only have one partner for life and won’t breed until around 4-5 years old.