Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Westland Tai Poutini is a national park of glaciers, rainforest and coastal lagoons where the Southern Alps drop to the Tasman Sea.
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Westland Tai Poutini National Park covers about 1,320 square kilometers of mountains and forest on the western coast of New Zealand's South Island. The park was established in 1960 as Westland National Park, and it has grown since by adding nearby forest reserves and conservation land, including Ōkārito and Waikukupa State Forests in 1982. It meets Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in the high country of the Southern Alps, and its elevation runs from sea level to 3,498 meters at Mount Tasman. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef are the main small tourist towns inside the park, and the two glaciers are its best-known sights.
High alpine tundra near Aoraki / Mount Cook gives way to coastal wetlands around Ōkārito Lagoon, which is known for kōtuku. Heavy rainfall from the westerlies supports dense temperate rainforest across the park, and kea are typically seen throughout. Remnants of old gold mining towns can still be seen along the coast.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park in five
- Check conditions at the visitor centerDOC says the glacier walk track and access road can close because of flooding, rockfall or landslides. Check track conditions and weather at the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre first.Franz Josef walk (DOC)
- Book a guide to get onto the iceDOC says the safe way to get closer to or onto the glaciers is a guided trip from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. Valley areas past the barriers are hazardous.
- Pay for glacier parking by cardDOC charges $2.50 per half hour or $20 a day at the Franz Josef Glacier car park, free if you leave within 10 minutes. Payment machines take cards, not cash.
- Visit Lake Matheson at dawn or duskDOC says the best reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook appear on sunny, windless days at dawn and dusk. The loop is 4.4 km and takes about 1 hr 30 min, with an accessible first section.Lake Matheson (DOC)
- Pair with the South Island loopThe glaciers fit between Queenstown, Fiordland and the north of the island. Leave a spare day for weather before driving on.South Island
Things to do in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
See all attractions in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Franz Josef Glacier car park is paid; see DOC for other charges
- Permits
- No booking for the short glacier walks; guided trips for the ice
- Season
- Open all year; weather and river conditions vary
- Nearest town
- Franz Josef/Waiau and Fox Glacier/Weheka
- Getting there
- By road from the north or south; TranzAlpine to Greymouth, then a long drive
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySummer, busy
- FebruaryWarm, busy
- MarchMild, quieter
- AprilAutumn
- MayCooler
- JuneCold, clear days
- JulyColdest
- AugustCold
- SeptemberSpring, changeable
- OctoberChangeable
- NovemberWarming up
- DecemberSummer starts
Right now in Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 100%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
09:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today0°-1°100%Tuesday: Snow. High 0°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed1°-1°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 1°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu2°-4°93%Thursday: Rain. High 2°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Fri2°0°100%Friday: Rain. High 2°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat1°-5°73%Saturday: Fog. High 1°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun-1°-7°37%Sunday: Fog. High -1°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Mon0°-7°72%Monday: Drizzle. High 0°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 72%.
Updated 06:22 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Westland Tai Poutini National Park
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Rules for Westland Tai Poutini National Park, checked
- DOC charges $2.50 per half hour or $20 a day at the Franz Josef Glacier car park; free if you leave within 10 minutes. Cards only, no cash.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Do not go past the barriers on the Franz Josef Glacier walk, because the valley is hazardous; the track and road can close for flooding or rockfall.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- No dogs are allowed in Westland Tai Poutini National Park.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Both islands, entry rules and the best months
Read the guideSouth IslandThe whole-island routes and ferry
Read the guideQueenstownAdventure base, across Haast Pass
Read the guideFiordlandMilford Sound and Great Walks
Read the guideBest time to visit New ZealandSeasons, crowds and the shoulder months
Read the guideWānakaThe lake town over Haast Pass from the coast.
Read the guideChristchurchThe other end of the TranzAlpine route.
Read the guideWestland Tai Poutini National Park FAQ
Can you walk onto Franz Josef Glacier?
Not independently. DOC says the safe way to get onto the glacier is to book a guided trip from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, and the valley walk stops at barriers.
How much is parking at Franz Josef Glacier?
DOC lists $2.50 per half hour or $20 a day, with free parking if you arrive and leave within 10 minutes. Pay by card at the machine.
How long is the Franz Josef Glacier walk?
DOC lists a 1.7 km return walk taking about 30 minutes. It is rated easy to intermediate.
When is the best time to see Lake Matheson reflections?
DOC says sunny, windless days at dawn and dusk give the best reflections. The loop takes about 1 hr 30 min.
Are dogs allowed in Westland Tai Poutini National Park?
No. DOC lists no dog access in the park.