Westland Tai Poutini National Park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Te Wahipounamu in South West New Zealand. It lies on the West Coast of the South Island in the Southern Alps, adjacent to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and to the north of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park.
The following settlements lie close to the park:
- Franz Josef
- Fox Glacier
- Franz Josef Glacier - Perhaps the most accessible glacier in the southern hemisphere. At one stage it was possible to drive right up to the terminal face. However, the glacier is receding at present, so a walk is now necessary to actually get to the foot of the glacier.
- Fox Glacier - Not quite as spectacular as the Franz Josef Glacier but not crowded with tourists either.
- Lake Matheson - Tall mountains reflected in a mirror calm lake - sometimes - but a perfect postcard image when it happens.
- Mount Cook and the other mountains - from the western side.