The Franz Josef - Waiau area covers a large area of the southern West Coast between the Waitaha Valley south to Fox Glacier. There is about 200,000 ha of public conservation land within this area that includes part of Westland National Park, many small reserves and large areas of stewardship land.
The area is extensively forested with several large river valleys, alpine headwaters and lowland forested areas in the west. A few valleys have maintained walking track access and there are some backcountry huts but many places do not have tracks, footbridges or huts.
You can hunt deer, chamois, goats and tahr in the area.
The climate is wet at times with over 3000mm of rain each year and westerly winds predominating. In winter several falls of snow can be expected that will blanket the tops and upper forested slopes. Spring to autumn is mild with regular spells of fine weather.
Location
Franz Josef is one and a half hours drive south of Hokitika. State Highway 6 traverses the area from the Waitaha River south to the Weheka Hills.