Top Franz Josef & Fox Glacier activities
Top Franz Josef & Fox Glacier landmarks
Beyond Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier trip ideas
Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand
From $23.35
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 1 to 2 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Learn about the New Zealand native bird, the kiwi, with admission to the Franz Josef Wildlife Center. Tour the largest kiwi hatching facility on the South Island and opt to include a Backstage Pass Tour, where you'll get 30 minutes of access behind the scenes. Your ticket also includes access to the West Coast storytelling areas and an interactive glacier exhibition. Buy your passes in advance to guarantee your admission to this popular attraction, great for all weather and all times of year.
- Family-friendly activity
- Perfect for a rainy days all year around
- See the rare Rowi kiwi up-close
- Entrance fees to the Franz Josef Wildlife Center
What's Included
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Local taxes
- Free car parking
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- DVD (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- West Coast Wildlife Centre, Cnr Cowan & Cron Streets Bright Green Building, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7886 New Zealand
What To Expect
West Coast Wildlife Centre
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wheelchair accessible
- Cafe with food and coffee available to purchase. All major credit cards accepted
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
See more
Reviews
4.5
79 reviews
Jody_C, Apr 2024
Learned so much about Kiwis, NZ native and invasive wildlife, and the amazing conservation efforts happening here. And got to see two busy little kiwis up close and personal! 🥰
Cath_H, Feb 2024
Extremely interesting and informative. Amazing enthusiasm and knowledge from our guide in the backstage tour. Seeing the kiwis was a special moment.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thanks Cath for the 5 ⭐️ review and delighted that you enjoyed your experience👍🙏
Kay_K, Nov 2023
Small exhibition with 2 rare kiwis and some lizards. You can't photograph the kiwis but once your eyes adjust you can see them up close without glass. If you are short of time and want to see a kiwi this could suit you.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thanks, Kay for placing a review and pleased that you saw 2 of the rarest kiwi , close-up, and enjoyed seeing out 7 incredible Tuatara - "dinosaurs" who were roaming the planet over 330m years ago and are only found in NZ !. You may have missed our glacier interactives and displays, our amazing West Coast wildlife films and our new Predator Free 2050 display that shares with you our goal to be free of all predators in New Zealand by 2050.The great news is that your entry ticket is valid for 48 hours so do come back in to do some more exploring ( for no extra charge inside the main attraction ) or upgrade your pass and enjoy the award-winning and personally guided VIP Backstage Pass Tours ( 40 mins ) with one of our incredible kiwi rangers. Enjoy the rest of your time in beautiful Franz Josef!
Charlotte_D, Aug 2023
Amazing, very interesting and lovely passionate staff :) seeing kiwis was amazing as well, we could have watch them all day! Thank you :)
Michael_c, Jul 2023
Really enjoyed how informative the behind the scenes tour was with props and surveillance videos to get a real understanding about the kiwis. Unfortunately, this was wrong season to see eggs in the incubators— so those rooms were empty except for the equipment used to keep the kiwi numbers from declining more. For the information, seeing the two kiwis in captivity (because it would be tough to see them in the wild) and to support the facility, it ended up being worth it to us.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thanks for the 5 star review and delighted that you enjoyed your visit and the VIP Backstage Pass Tour.Due to the success of the program DOC are now leaving more and more kiwi eggs 🥚 out in the wild which is a wonderful conservation outcome -and the fully guided 40 minute backstage pass tour comes very highly recommended. 🙏 Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Ute_L, Jun 2023
It was so much fun. Could have watched the Kiwis for ages. You are doing such a great job. It is so worth it!
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you 🙏 so much for your kind review and genuine appreciation of the work the team do in partnership with the Department of Conservation.Delighted that you really enjoyed your visit with us in Franz Josef 👍
MaryAnn_S, Mar 2023
Devon was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the kiwi conservation program. So much enthusiasm made it evident that he loves this work.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you for the 5 star ⭐️ review and delighted that you enjoyed your visit.Will pass on your kind comments to Devon who I know he will really appreciate 👍
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
© 1997-2024 Viator, Inc.