Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
West Coast Wildlife Centre
WILDLIFE
(
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 conser-
vation, glacier and heritage displays, and hung out with real, live kiwi in their ferny en-
closure. 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
Walk
(1½ hours return), leading you to the terminal face (read the signs; respect the barri-
ers).
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
Terrace 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 gla-
cier 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.
