The West Coast - New Zealand's South Island - page 246

( www.wildkiwi.co.nz ; cnr Cron & Cowan Sts; day pass adult/child/family $30/18/80, with backstage pass $50/30/125;
) This feel-good attraction ticks all the right boxes (exhibition, cafe, retail, wi-fi),
then goes a whole lot further by actually breeding the rowi - the rarest kiwi in the world.
The day pass is well worthwhile by the time you've viewed the conservation, glacier and
heritage displays, and hung out with real, live kiwi in their ferny enclosure. The additional
backstage pass into the incubating and chick-rearing area is a rare opportunity to learn
how a species can be brought back from the brink of extinction, and a chance to go ga-ga
over what may be the cutest babies on the planet.
Independent Walks
A rewarding alternative to driving to the glacier car park is the richly rainforested Te Ara a
Waiau Walkway/Cycleway , starting from near the fire station at the south end of town. It's a
one-hour walk (each way) or half that by bicycle (available for hire from Across Country
Quad Bikes, Click here , or the YHA, Click here ) .
Several glacier viewpoints are accessed from the car park, including Sentinel Rock MAP
GOOGLE MAP (20 minutes return) and the Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk (1½ hours return),
leading you to the terminal face (read the signs; respect the barriers).
Other longer walks include the Douglas Walk (one hour return), off the Glacier Access Rd,
which passes moraine from the 1750 advance, and Peter's Pool , a small kettle lake. The Ter-
race Track (30 minutes return) is an easy amble over bushy terraces behind the village, with
Waiho River views. Two good rainforest walks, Tatare Tunnels and Callery Gorge Walk (both
around 1½ hours return), start from Cowan St.
The rougher Roberts Point Track (five hours return) heads off from the Douglas swing
bridge (access via the Douglas Walk). The Alex Knob Track (eight hours return) runs from
the Glacier Access Rd to the 1303m peak of Alex Knob. Look forward to three glacier
lookouts and views to the coast (cloud cover permitting). Both Roberts Point and Alex
Knob are suitable only for well-equipped and experienced trampers.
Check out the glacier in the morning or evening, before the cloud cover sets in or after
it lifts. Expect fewer tour buses as well.
Pick up a copy of DOC's excellent Glacier Region Walks booklet ($2) which provides
maps and illuminating background reading.
Guided Walks & Helihikes