Westland Tai Poutini National Park

Westland Tai Poutini National Park was established in 1960 and is located within the boundaries of Ka Tiritiri ote mona a remote area of the wild west cost. It is full of heavy virgin forests, lakes, glaciers and shallow swamps filled with birds and wildlife.

A network of parks such as Mount Cook national park, Fiordland, Mt Aspiring national park surrounds it. It is also recognised by World Heritage status. Westland Tai Poutini National Park is undoubtedly a place of adventures and boasts many stunning beauties.

In the east, there are sharp inclined forests with impassable deep valleys. Fox glacier and Franz Josef glacier are covered permanently with snow and they are located quite high above the main park. Rimu covers the low lands in the west. There are natural and beautiful lakes, wild and gigantic openings in the rivers and wetlands.

The lowland waters are dyed in to brown from absorbed soil. As far as the wildlife is concerned, birds that can swim along with other wading birds can be easily seen near the edges of the wetlands.

Animals such as kamana and white herons can be found at Lakae Mapourika and Okarito lagoon respectively. The endangered Brown Kiwi also lives here. Other creatures include alpine moths, black alpine and mountain butterflies.

Professionally guided routes to Fox glacier (te Moeka o Tuawe) and Frenz Josef Glacier can be enjoyed by walkers, who love to explore this adventure.

Another treat for visitors here is series of mountains including Alex Knob, Mt Fox, and New Zealand’s highest peak Aorake/Mount Cook (can be seen from Lake Matheson).

Welcome Flat Hut’s hot natural springs are popular destination and its natural flow of hot water attracts many visitors.