Top Things to do in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Westland Tai Poutini National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
When thinking of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, one word should always come to mind: glacier. The speedy Fox and Franz Josef glaciers (both move up to 13 feet each day) are two popular sights and in some places, you can see the ice stretch back down to the sea. When you’re ready to get back to stable ground, walk around Lake Matheson (which also offers excellent birdwatching via kayak) to enjoy stunning views of Mount Cook.
Restaurants in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
1. Glacier Country Lake Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Scenic Cruises and Fishing Charters on Lake Mapourika. Locally owned and operated in Franz Josef Glacier. (now: Franz Josef Wilderness Tours)
2. Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 641 reviews
A unique lake adventure across Lake Mapourika, created by the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. We experience amazing panoramic views of the glaciers and southern alps, mirror like water and also explore a Kiwi Conservation area amongst some of Westland's oldest untouched rainforest. Free photos are included with each tour!
3. Glacier Valley Eco Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 433 reviews
Glacier Valley Eco Tours is small local family owner/operator business based in Franz Josef Glacier. We specialise in small informative guided walking tours in and around our Glacier Country NZ. We offer trips to Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers, as well as the iconic Lake Matheson, and Okarito township, as well as full day tours and combo tours. We can tailor trips to suit you. Small group sizes (10 max) and families welcome, no age restriction. We offer nature tours off the beaten path of public tracks in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, which includes loads of information on geology, glaciology, history, local flora & fauna. We currently have 100% NZ guides who all bring different qualities to our clients experience - they maybe Story Tellers, Geologists, Botonists or Ecologists. We offer free use of our wet weather gear on all our tours, including raincoats, overtrousers, umbrellas, as well as walking poles and boots if required. On all our tours we provide tea, coffee & biscuits.
4. Roberts Point Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Starting from the Douglas Bridge, Roberts Point Track winds up the true right of the Waiho (Franz Josef Glacier) Valley, over ice-carved rock and across many side streams to a viewpoint high above the glacial ice. In around an hour the track opens out onto ice smoothed rock outcrops at Hende's Hut. This hut is unsuitable for overnight accommodation, but it does provide a sheltered lunch spot. The track climbs on through open scrubland to a suspension bridge crossing Rope Creek and continues steadily upwards to Roberts Point. The views from here are well worth the effort with the glacier, sheer rock walls, waterfalls and mountain peaks all visible. Time: 5 hr return from Alex Knob/Lake Wombat car park; or 5 hr 20 min return from glacier car park Distance: 11 km return from Alex Knob/Lake Wombat car park; or 12.3 km return from glacier car park Please contact the Franz Josef Visitor Centre for safety updates before attempting this track.
Reviewed By nzwestie - Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand
Loved this walk. Def recommend it if you have the time. What a surprise to see the glacier when we got to the top. You do have to be careful. We just wore trail shoes, had plenty of water in our camel packs (as that means no carrying of anything) cameral swinging of my neck. We are in our late 50's, took us about 2.15 up and the same down. Sometimes going down is harder than going up. It is a great walk as it has bridges, water crossing, rock climbing etc. We loved it and would def recommend it.
5. Franz Josef Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,579 reviews
Westland Tai Poutini National Park, renowned for its Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the beautiful walks from 5 minutes to 8 hours that you can do in this area to view these amazing ice features, native forest, wildlife and waterfalls. The track up the Glacier river bed is 5.4 km return via same track Suggested duration 1 hr 30 min •This track is sometimes closed due to ice collapse, flooding or landslides – check the latest track conditions and weather forecasts at the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection. •No drones allowed.
Reviewed By greg_wanders - Auckland Central, New Zealand
An enjoyable and picturesque walk through the Franz Josef Glacier Valley. From the car park its a 1.5 to 2 hour walk depending on how long you stop for photographs. Several waterfalls all around as you make your way to the glacier wall. The Glacier wall itself is quite a way away from the view point as it is receding, though it is still awesome to be so close. Maybe a good idea to keep this in mind so as to not be disappointed. Combine the glacier valley walk with two short walks from the car park (Sentinel Rock for Panoramic views and Peters Pool for reflections) and you have great day out on the west coast. A great FREE way to enjoy you time by the glacier, although you have the options of helicopter tours or heli hikes to get further up close. Would highly recommend this walk in good weather. If it is raining and you have spare time, I would save it for when you get a break in the weather.
6. Lake Matheson Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Lake Matheson is nestled in ancient forest and is famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Its excellent reflecting properties are due to the dark brown colour of the water – the result of organic matter leached from the humus of the forest floor. Dawn and dusk are the best times to enjoy the reflections in the lake. Time: 1 hr 30 min return Getting there: Turn onto Cook Flat Road in the middle of Fox Glacier Weheka township. Travel 5 km along this road then turn right onto the side road to Lake Matheson.
Reviewed By KayM637 - Devonport, New Zealand
Make sure you do this walk on a sunny day, otherwise you will not get the mirrow affect of the Lake for photos. The loop track took us 1 1/2 hrs and has been upgraded and extened since 2005 with board walks and a walk to the island on the lake.
7. Fox Glacier Hiking Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Reviewed By Explore33983631731 - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
We drove through the main township of Fox Glacier towards the glacier access road, where there is a huge car park. We had a camper van and there was ample parking in the car park.There was some toilets at the end of the car park, they were clean and maintained. There are lots of different walks around the area with choice of distances clearly marked. The walk to the main glacier was well maintained considering how many people walk on these tracks on a daily basis. We walked for about 15/20 mins and took photos on the way. We were greeted by the most wonderful sight that im sure we will never see again as the glacier is slowly retracting. But to see such an untamed natural wonder was a memory to cherish. The information stated that due to a lot of rainwater recently the lookout point had been pulled back a bit, due to the water making the paths a little unstable. Certainly well worth going
8. Alpine Cinema
9. Monro Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Monro Beach 1hr 20 mins return walk- 4.7km return. An easy walk through coastal forest to the remote Monro Beach. In Spring you may see Fiordland Crested Penguin/ Tawaki crossing the beach to their nesting sites, do not approach or follow these shy birds keeping a distance of at least 30 metres. Check the current track conditions and weather forecasts at the Department of Conservation, Haast Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times.
Reviewed By buckeyetravel - Ohio, United States
If you are traveling to or from Franz Josef and Wanaka or Queenstown you can stop on the west coast and do the Monro Beach hike. It takes about 1.5 hours round trip and the hike is mostly flat with some elevation changes. The path is well maintained and it goes through a coastal forest for most of the walk which is really nice. At the end of the hike you end up at Monro Beach where there are sometime penguins to be seen but outside of the nesting season it is hit or miss. We went in November and the nesting was pretty much done so although the people on the beach when we arrived said they had seen penguins they were now off in the ocean. The beach is a little hard to walk on as there are streams of water to make sure you have hiking shoes or water proof shoes (or don't mind getting wet) if you want to explore the beach. The parking lot for this hike is very small so if you get there late morning to early afternoon the lot may be pretty full and hard to find a spot. I think we arrived around 10 and when we came back it was full. Good hike to do and nice way to break up the long drive.
10. Andris Apse Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
This World-Class Gallery showcases the work of Internationally-renowned Landscape Photographer Andris Apse. The Gallery features a Mini-Theatre, Slide-Show and exhibits dramatic panoramas in a serene and professional setting. His breathtaking NZ Landscape images on display are all Limited Editions. The Gallery is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
