Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff can provide you with information and advice about recreational opportunities throughout the glacier region and beyond. You can also earn about the natural features, conservation and history of the area. 

Contact details

Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre

Getting there 

We are located on 69 Cron Street at the northern end of Franz Josef/Waiau township. You can easily reach us on foot or by car. It is about a 10 minute walk or about 2 minute drive from the town centre.

Driving time: Franz Josef/Waiau is about 1 hr 45 minutes from Hokitika (135 km) or 2 hr from Haast (146 km).

Where to park: Free parking available on Cron Street and the Glacier Base carpark.

Opening hours

• 8:30 am – 5 pm, daily
• Closed over lunch break on weekends and public holidays
• Closed Christmas Day, 25 December

Information and services

• Essential glacier valley safety information.
• Latest weather forecast.
• Day walks, backcountry tramping and huts. 
• Assistance for booking conservation facilities.
• Personal locator beacon hire.
• Conservation projects and volunteering opportunities.
• Dog permits (please note, it can take up to 5 working days for a permit to be processed).
• New Zealand maps and hut tickets available for purchase.
• Quality merchandise: rain wear, guidebooks, magnets, stickers and postcards.
• Information about commercial activities in the area – boat tours, glacier walks, scenic flights, skydiving, quad bikes and kayaking.
• Public toilets and unlimited Wi-Fi.

Conservation and history

• Māori history
• Westlanbd Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Area
• Native flora and fauna
• Geology and geography of area
• Predator control information (Predator Free South Westland Project)