Mighty Glaciers
Franz Joseph Glacier is 12 km long and covers an area of nearly 2000 ha. At it's terminal arises the Waiho River which measures 25 km in length and terminates in the Tasman Sea. The glacier was named after Franz Joseph of Austria, an Emperor, King of Hungary and Bohemia by Julius von Haast in 1865.
Read More Hot Pools
A natural hot pool is created whenever rainwater reaches the earths hot zone deep below the surface and then rises again heated. It blows up to the surface to form a pool, containing minerals dissolved from the rocks. These hot springs are found all over New Zealand but mainly near volcanic zones or alpine faults and water temperature varies from location to location.
Read More Copland Track
The Copland Track is the most famous track in Westland Tai Poutini. It was built between 1901 and 1913 to connect elements of the west coast to the border region between Westland Tai Poutini and Mount Cook National Park.
Read More White Heron
The Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) is a New Zealand native and one of the country's cultural icons. This long-necked bird is covered in a complete white plumage, and attributed with a yellow bill and black legs. It is the largest egret in the country.
Read More Rowi
The Rowi or Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) is a critically endangered kiwi species found only in the area around Okarito in southern Westland nearly 30 km north of Franz Josef Glacier. It was once widespread in northern parts of the South Island as well as in the south of the North Island.
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