Very average place with very overpriced entry fees. We paid around $130 for 2 adults and a 14 year old and 16 year old. Was there for about 30 minutes and saw 2 kiwis and a few tuataras. The gift shop was lovely.

We went in there on a rainy day, to see our first encounter with the native bird! Learnt plenty about kiwi birds and tuatara creatures! Guarantee to see one! The entrance prices permits you to entry as many times for 2 days! Staff are very knowledgeable n friendly, we easily spend half the day there reading n being inquisitive!

I was particularly excited to see a Kiwi and was not disappointed! Enjoyed watching him/her running around, they are much bigger than I thought! Enjoyed all the other information about Kiwis I found it all very interesting & disturbing at how endangered they are. The bit we did not enjoy was the public holiday surcharge! We are hoping that a large portion of our entry fee will be used to help protect these gorgeous birds.

Came across this centre not expecting much but hoping to get a glimpse of a Kiwi in real life. Well this visit didn’t disappoint. I paid extra for the back stage tour and so glad I did. I was there at 10am and turned out so was the only person the tour. (It’s very busy on rainy days). So I had the undivided attention of Steve who gave me do much great info about Kiwis and the work of the centre in helping them survive. He then gave me the up close meet with the Tuatara- what an interesting creature- and no it’s not a lizard. The kiwi encounter is open to all who pay admission not just the backstage tour. Once your eyes adapt to the dark (give it a few minutes) there they were! Much bigger, faster and louder than I expected. Fell in love with them! It was a great way to spend a morning. Special thanks to Steve for making the visit so memorable.

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!