Activities in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Tracks and walks
Short walks will take you to the terminal face of the two famous glaciers; Te Moeka o Tuawe Fox Glacier Valley walk one hour return; Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Valley walk is one and half hours return. Guided walks onto the glaciers are available.
Visitors on Fox Glacier
Outstanding mountains-to-the-sea vistas can be viewed from numerous vantage points within the park including the Ōkārito trig, Alex Knob and Mt Fox, while Lake Matheson is famous for its reflections of New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki/Mount Cook. It is also possible to do longer walks into the backcountry, but some fitness and experience is required.
The hot springs at Welcome Flat Hut, on the alpine route to Noti Hinetamatea/Copland Pass are a popular destination.
Franz Josef area
Alex Knob Track
Callery-Waiho Walk
Canavan's Knob Walk
Douglas Walk
Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walking Track
Lake Wombat Track
Okarito walking tracks
Pakihi Walk
Roberts Point Track
Sentinel Rock Walk
Tatare Tunnels Walk
Terrace Walk
South Westland area
Chalet Lookout Track
Copland Track
Fox Glacier Valley walks
Lake Matheson Walk
Walks north of Haast townships
Other activities
Mountaineering and ski touring
The high peaks within the park are a mecca for mountaineers but are only suitable for the fit and experienced. There are five huts within the park available for climbers and ski-tourers.
Scenic flights
Scenic flights over the glaciers and alpine snowfields leave from Waiau/Franz Josef, Weheka/Fox Glacier and Whataroa.
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