Recent posts
Ambassador Penguin Encounter in Franz Josef
Local Spotlight – West Coast Wildlife Centre
Winter in Glacier Country
Local Spotlight – Glacier Country Helicopters
Tales from Glacier Country
Exciting New Ambassador Korora Penguin Encounter to open in Franz Josef! Some great economic news for South Westland and a significant investment in Glacier Country has just been announced. The award winning West Coast… Read more
What is risk without reward? Does such a thing even exist? Even the most reckless of risks comes with some promise of personal gain—unless, of course, the reward is intended for others. Such an altruistic… Read more
The forest, vibrant with green and gold, begins to stir under its frosty glaze. Stars fade as the sky shifts from black to blue. The moon sticks around a little longer just to be sure… Read more
Learning a vocation is reasonably common for most, dedicating oneself to earning a qualification before pursuing a career in the field of choice. On the other hand, having one passed down is rare. Being born… Read more
What is passion? Is it a quest for wealth, where all other facets of life pale in comparison? Or could it be more? Perhaps loving something enough to create a life focused on caring for… Read more
Nature’s imperfections – wild, unruly, unpredictable. Plans have no place somewhere truly untouched; the environment shapes itself. Pristine nature, the result of time and consequence, is beyond replication. Nature’s imperfections are perfect. Looking for… Read more
Tucked in amongst a magical forest surrounded by snowy mountain tops lies a place for weary adventurers to lay their heads. It is a place where all who enter are met with a smile, where… Read more
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ John Howard Bryant Winds of change gently kiss the West Coast, soft and calm, bringing stillness. A shortening of days subtly closes the gap between the rising and setting… Read more
Glacier Valley Eco Tours There’s a fine line between seeing and experiencing. To walk through a rugged, living landscape is exhilarating. To delve below the surface is sublime. Guidebooks have their place, but… Read more
White Heron Sanctuary Tours Whataroa There’s a lot to be said for being original. To be the first and the only, to be a guardian of something special, to find passion in something and… Read more
Lush, Jurassic rainforest surrounds a still kettle lake. The deep, tannin colour transforms the water’s surface into a reflective expanse, mirroring a mountainous valley of ice and snow. Dawn is breaking on Lake Mapourika. Soon,… Read more
“Te tiro atu to kanohi ki tairawhiti ana tera whiti te ra kite ataata ka hinga ki muri kia koe. – Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” The… Read more
Slow Travel Part 4 – The Environment An empty beach at low tide. The peace of walking next to the ocean, vast and mesmerising. Waves crash against the shore, their spray mixing with the… Read more
Slow Travel Part 3 – The Local Economy “Live simply so that others may simply live.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi One night here, two nights there, leaving early to get things done quicker –… Read more
Springtime in Glacier Country “There is no time like Spring, when life’s alive in everything” ~ Christina Rossetti, Spring Spring, or Kōanga, on the West Coast, is an exciting time of year, lasting… Read more
Slow Travel Part 2 – The Traveller “There is no need to rush. What is meant for you always arrives on time.” ~Frachella The second part of this series is dedicated to how… Read more
SLOW TRAVEL A NEW CONCEPT FROM OLD TIMES (4-part series) “It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things, the more beautiful, the more slowly.” ~ Atticus. Nowadays, society is based on… Read more
Welcome to Glacier Country Stick Around! Each year, people from around the globe travel to Aotearoa, New Zealand, arriving wide-eyed and ready for action. Tucked away deep in the South Pacific, with a low… Read more
Flash, Bang, Wallop – What a Picture! Geoff Marks The unrivalled diversity of the natural landscapes in the Glacier Country region of New Zealand’s West Coast make it a Mecca for photographers. With an ever-changing… Read more
Okarito Lagoon – Jewel of the West Geoff Marks Located 130km south of Hokitika and about 30-minutes’ drive north of Franz Josef, Okarito is truly one of New Zealand’s most remarkable hidden gems. Ōkārito… Read more
A Warm Welcome: Hiking the Copland Track Geoff Marks Westland Tai Poutini National Park lies at the heart of New Zealand’s largest stretch of wilderness. Covering 1,320km² the park extends from the top of… Read more
Jody Direen is a Tui Award winning International Recording Artist. Originally from Wanaka, she shares why she chooses to call Franz Josef Glacier home. There is more than meets the eye in Franz Josef… Read more
Lake Gault is a gem that rivals nearby Lake Matheson. There are incredible sweeping views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman and on a good day these will be reflected in the waters of Lake… Read more
Fox Glacier is a haven for families seeking adventure and connection with nature. Among the many highlights are the incredible family-friendly walks that cater to all ages and abilities. These scenic tracks lead to breathtaking… Read more
Glacier Country on the West Coast is the perfect destination for a family holiday. It’s a place where the outdoors becomes your playground and a place to put down the devices and let nature become… Read more
