1 active Westland Tai Poutini alert
- CautionActive landslide zones on Copland TrackDo not stop in either of Copland Track’s signposted active landslide zones; take extra care during and after heavy rain.Official details
Parkwolf’s Westland Tai Poutini ranking
Top sights in Westland Tai Poutini
1SightLake Matheson Jetty LookoutA short rainforest walk reaches the lake’s famous mountain mirror.
2SightTe Kopikopiko o te WakaCarved waka and a glacier panorama share a striking creation story.
3SightSentinel RockA short climb for glacier history and a wide valley view.
4SightFox Glacier South Side ViewpointThe 6.4 km south-bank walk to Fox Glacier's final viewpoint.
5SightView of Views LookoutA high lookout frames Aoraki and Tasman beyond the lake.
6SightReflection IslandFor the Alps doubled, aim for a still dawn.
7SightRoberts Point LookoutA demanding hike ends above Franz Josef Glacier.
8SightWelcome Flat Hot PoolsWarm pools and Sierra Range views, after a long backcountry tramp.
9SightWest Coast Wildlife CentreSee rowi up close at the centre that helps hatch them.Hiking
Top trails in Westland Tai Poutini
- 16 easy
- 8 moderate
- 7 challenging
EasyLake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati Walk4.4 km · 1.5 hrA rainforest circuit to a mirror lake below the Southern Alps.
ChallengingRoberts Point Track12.3 km · 5.3 hrA rough valley climb to a high view of Franz Josef Glacier.
ChallengingCopland Track to Welcome Flat Hut36 km · 14 hrA long valley tramp ends at hot pools beneath alpine peaks.
ChallengingAlex Knob Track17.2 km · 8 hrEarn glacier, Alps and Tasman Sea views on a long climb
ModerateŌkārito Trig Walk4.2 km · 1.5 hrShort climb, then lagoon, coast and Southern Alps in one view.
EasyFox Glacier South Side Walkway/Cycleway6.4 km · 2 hrForest walking to a glacier view 2.6 km from the ice.
ModerateLake Gault Track8 km · 3 hrA steady forest climb ends at a glacial lake lookout.
ChallengingMount Fox Route7.4 km · 8 hrA steep expert climb to glacier and coast views.
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Westland Tai Poutini Tour Guide
Westland Tai Poutini, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Westland Tai Poutini National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Westland Tai Poutini audio tourRecorded for this place
Lake Matheson: the Short Walk and the Mirror0:00 / 0:33
“You're coming up on Lake Matheson, known for reflecting Aoraki, Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman in its dark water. For a shorter visit, choose Jetty Lookout: about forty-five minutes return through rainforest.”
Plays as you drive up to Lake Matheson Jetty Lookout in the Parkwolf Westland Tai Poutini Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- How Waves Sort Black Sand
- Why Crevasses Open
- Te Kopikopiko o te Waka: Canoe and Mountains
- Mount Fox Route: a Full Mountain Day
- 49 audio storiesacross Westland Tai Poutini’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Blue Duck, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 53 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Map
The whole park, on one map
Loading the Westland Tai Poutini map
Full mapPlan your visit
Before you go
Facilities
Wildlife
Wildlife in Westland Tai Poutini
89 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
10 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
80 sightingsKererūMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
38 sightingsTūīMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
10 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
28 sightingsYellow-crowned ParakeetMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Westland Tai Poutini. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.