Westland Tai Poutini National Park
The glaciers and west of the divide
This national park covers areas to the west of the main divide and borders Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park which is to the east of the mountains. The boundary basically runs along the highest peaks of the Southern Alps.
Park land includes glaciers, scenic lakes, and temperate rainforest, as well as remains of old gold mining towns along the coast. There is an excellent Visitor Centre at Franz Josef Glacier township.
The park is part of Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area - this spectacular 2.6 million hectare area encompasses Westland Tai Poutini, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks.