Must-see attractions in Westland Tai Poutini National Park

  • Lake Matheson, South Westland, New Zealand.

    Lake Matheson

    Westland Tai Poutini National Park

    On a good day, the famous 'mirror lake' reflects extraordinary views of distant Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in its forest-shaded waters. The best time to…

  • Gillespies Beach

    Westland Tai Poutini National Park

    Follow Cook Flat Rd for its full 21km (the final 12km is narrow, winding and unsealed) to this remote beach, a ruggedly beautiful, wind-blasted length of…

  • Peak Viewpoint

    Westland Tai Poutini National Park

    It's a very long way from the actual glacier, but this parking area provides a surprisingly good view over fields to Fox Glacier (weather permitting)…

  • West Coast Wildlife Centre

    Franz Josef Glacier

    The purpose of this feel-good attraction is breeding two of the world's rarest kiwi – the rowi and the Haast tokoeka. As well as a chance to hang out with…

  • Sentinel Rock

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Survey the skies before embarking on the short, steep walk to the top of Sentinel Rock: the lookout reveals either impressive views of the glacier valley,…

  • Peters Pool

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Formed by centuries of glacial meltwater, this dainty kettle lake girded by native rainforest is an easy 1km-return walk from the main glacier car park…

  • Fox Glacier Lookout

    Westland Tai Poutini National Park

    On a clear day, this is one of the best land-based positions from which to see Fox Glacier (though its retreat may mean you see just a snippet).