Lake Matheson

Activities

In The Surrounding Area

Should you require any further information about the following activities, or wish us to pre-book for you, please email us on lake.matheson.motel@xtra.co.nz


Walking/Tramping

There is an extensive selection of excellent walks throughout the wider South Westland region. Talk to the staff at the Department of Conservation regarding these; Offices in both Fox Glacier and Franz Josef. Some recommended tracks:

  • Cattle Track - near Lake Paringa
  • Monroe's Beach near Lake Mapourika (yellow crested penguins nesting site)
  • Okarito - Trig and Beach Walk
  • Wide variety of walks in the Franz Josef valley, including a walk to the Terminal Face of the Franz Josef Glacier, or for a short viewpoint walk of the Glacier do the Sentinnel Rock walk from the Franz Josef Glacier carpark

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Horse Trekking

South Westland is a stunning and varied backdrop to meander on horseback. These treks encompass bush-clad mountain ranges, snow covered Alps and rainforests. Operator: South Westland Horse Treks, Franz Josef Phone 0800 187357.
www.horsetreknz.com

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Glacier Kayaks/Fergs Kayaks

Take a guided tour or rent your own kayaks for use on Lake Mapourika (flower of the dawn) in the coastal section of the Franz Josef glacier valley. This is a beautiful experience of gliding on mirror-like water in a jungle setting with outstanding alpine views.
www.glacierkayaks.com

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Lake and Lagoon Kayaking

Kayak with White Herons on Okarito Lagoon, NZ's largest unmodified wetland. This is a major eco-experience; Kayak hire is available from 2 hours and guided trips are also available. Operator: Okarito Nature Tours.
www.okarito.co.nz

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Rainforest Tours

Glacier Valley Eco Tours provide a variety of Guided Walks and Eco Tours to and around the Franz Josef Glacier such as: Terminal Face Tours, Okarito Tours and Rainforest Walks. Phone 03 7520699. Email kamahi@xtra.co.nz

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White Heron Tours

This is a spectacular trip highly recommended. You begin with a jet boat trip into NZ's only White Heron (Kotuku) colony through isolated waterways. See the magnificent Kotuku, Royal Spoonbill, Little Shag and other birdlife in their natural environment..quite simply, this trip is magic! Operator: White Heron Sanctuary Tours, Main Rd Whataroa Phone 0800 523456.
www.whiteherontours.co.nz

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Flowing West Movie

Should it rain, Franz Josef has a picture theatre in the main street which shows a 20 minute movie taken from the birds eye view from a helicopter, showing Coastal Terrain, rainforest, mountains, glacial valleys and river ways. It is a high speed ride and a very good way to see what lies behind the cloud should the weather not be kind Ph 03 7520793.
www.scenic-flights.co.nz/flowing-west-the-movie.html

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Salmon Farm

A lovely café and salmon farm located near Paringa, 50 minutes south of Fox Glacier. Feed the salmon, purchase fresh salmon products, local arts and crafts and sample delicious local produce at the café, Phone 0800 100837.
www.glaciercountry.co.nz/operatordetails.asp?id=22

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Glacier Centre (due to open January 2007)

This will be an interactive glacier experience all year round. The Glacier Centre will be built in the middle of Franz Josef; its star attraction being a 10 metre high climbing wall of ice.

**More activities and contact numbers on official Glacier Country website: www.glaciercountry.co.nz

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Glacier Kayaks/Fergs Kayaks
White Heron Tours