Top 10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, South Island

January 18, 2022 Giuseppe Pratt

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 Helicopters

Excellent
89%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 610 reviews

Glacier Helicopters

Glacier Helicopters offers a range of scenic helicopter flights from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. Charter flights are available and can vary from 20 minutes to several hours duration. Flights depart from Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Our flights encompass the Mount Cook National Park, and both Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Glacier landings are our specialty. Our helicopter flights allow people with limited time to “get away from it all” and experience area of New Zealand’s wilderness renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.

2. Air Safaris

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 104 reviews

Air Safaris

Our fixed wing scenic flights promise an incredible view of the mighty Franz and Fox Glaciers and rugged Westland National Park before traversing Mount Cook to explore the vast Mount Cook National Park. Every seat a window seat – get the big picture! Experience breathtaking alpine scenery on an exciting scenic glacier flight with Air Safaris from their base at Franz Josef in Westland National Park on the West Coast - a must-do South Island tourist attraction.

3. HeliServicesNZ Fox & Franz

Excellent
90%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 364 reviews

HeliServicesNZ Fox & Franz

Glaciers are one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef are internationally-renowned glaciers that attract visitors from around the world every year. Fly up over the ice, and see pinnacles, crevasses, seracs, and the deep blue ice of glacier country. Walk-ins welcome.

4. Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
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0%
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5.0 based on 277 reviews

Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

"With a backdrop of the Southern Alps, Glaciers, Rainforest and the Ocean, it's hard to imagine a better place to jump out of a plane than Fox Glacier" Quote from The Lonely Planet.We have to agree! You can choose from 13,000ft or 16,500ft with a range of photo and video options to choose from and a great friendly crew, we guarantee you a jump to remember.

5. Skydive Franz

Excellent
91%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 306 reviews

Skydive Franz

New Zealand's Highest Tandem Skydive - 19,000ft. Be surrounded by Aoraki/ Mount Cook & Tasman, Franz & Fox Glaciers, Rainforest & Ocean for your Skydive. Our Friendly team and epic surroundings provide simply the best skydiving experience available in New Zealand! Choose From: 9000ft, 20+ seconds freefall, 13,000ft - 50+ seconds free-fall 16,500ft - 65+ seconds free-fall 19,000ft - 80+ seconds free-fall All of these options include a scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier and a 6-8 minute parachute ride. We use the world's most advanced and most comfortable parachute systems.Our aircraft is maintained and operated to the highest standard in the industry. Photo & DVD options available.

6. Alpine Adventure Centre Tours

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Alpine Adventure Centre Tours

Scenic helicopter flights over the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers including Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. We offer departures from Franz Josef AND Fox Glacier. Currently under the company name of Fox & Franz Heliservices.

7. Glacier Country Helicopters

Excellent
93%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 119 reviews

Glacier Country Helicopters

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company in Franz Josef. Husband and wife team Gus & Poppy started the company in January 2014 and are both experienced pilots themselves. We offer both scenic helicopter flights over the glaciers in the Southern Alps with snow landings and private charters. We have a small fleet of fantastic helicopters including AS350B2 Squirrels & a MD520N. All aircraft are maintained to high standards. We use modern technology including equipping all our aircraft with V2Track systems that use satellite tracking so ground staff are in contact with pilots at all times. Our team of highly skilled pilots have extensive experience flying in the unique mountain environment we operate in and we have been awarded the Qualmark Silver Sustainable Tourism Business Award. Our company and pilots all have outstanding safety records and we are certified under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) so you know you'll be in good hands flying with us!

8. Roberts Point Track

Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand +64 3-752 0360 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/4e55aa3e2b3c4ed7bcc216328065e48d.aspx
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 76 reviews

Roberts Point Track

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.

9. Franz Josef Clay Target Shooting

22 Main Road, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand +64 800 274 668 [email protected] http://www.franzjosefclayshooting.co.nz
Excellent
100%
Good
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Franz Josef Clay Target Shooting

We offer an action-packed 'all-weather' activity, shooting undercover in a building designed especially for our environment and your fun and safe shooting experience. We provide all equipment and transport to and from the range. Real guns, real ammunition with tuition provided for beginners and a challenge for experienced shooters. Covered shoes must be worn for this activity.

Reviewed By MickeyBrwne

We were quite lucky it rained today as that prompted us to search for other activities besides our heli hike, when we saw this we decided to give it a go! Vicki picked us up from our hotel and was on time and very friendly, we ended up at the range with a group of 4 older people - we all bonded over shooting targets! Brent provided excellent training and tips, the guns were very easy to use and not at all as intimidating as you might expect - specially with Brent’s tips! Had way too much fun doing this, and I’m thinking of doing it more often when I’m back home in Sydney! Thank you Brent and Vicki! - Mikhail and Vee

10. The Helicopter Line West Coast

Excellent
79%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 503 reviews

The Helicopter Line West Coast

Discover the magnificent phenomenon of the glaciers. Experienced helicopter pilots share their knowledge whilst overflying the dramatic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and snowfields, exposing extraordinary colours of ice flow, ice caves and pinnacles in this largely inaccessible alpine region. All flights feature a snow landing. Alternatively combine a scenic helicopter flight with an unforgettable guided helihike amongst the glacial ice formations with the professional and experienced Franz Josef Glacier Guides.

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