Ivory Towers

Westland Tai Poutini National Park


Warren-like Ivory Towers has mixed and women-only dorms, along with plain, private rooms with flatscreen TVs (and some with balconies). There are plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in, a TV room, three communal kitchens and a wee infrared sauna (free).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Westland Tai Poutini National Park attractions

1. Fox Glacier Lookout

2.96 MILES

On a clear day, this is one of the best land-based positions from which to see Fox Glacier (though its retreat may mean you see just a snippet).

2. Lake Matheson

3.26 MILES

On a good day, the famous 'mirror lake' reflects extraordinary views of distant Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in its forest-shaded waters. The best time to…

3. Peak Viewpoint

5.29 MILES

It's a very long way from the actual glacier, but this parking area provides a surprisingly good view over fields to Fox Glacier (weather permitting)…

4. Sentinel Rock

8.09 MILES

Survey the skies before embarking on the short, steep walk to the top of Sentinel Rock: the lookout reveals either impressive views of the glacier valley,…

5. Peters Pool

8.37 MILES

Formed by centuries of glacial meltwater, this dainty kettle lake girded by native rainforest is an easy 1km-return walk from the main glacier car park…

6. West Coast Wildlife Centre

9.9 MILES

The purpose of this feel-good attraction is breeding two of the world's rarest kiwi – the rowi and the Haast tokoeka. As well as a chance to hang out with…

7. Gillespies Beach

10.35 MILES

Follow Cook Flat Rd for its full 21km (the final 12km is narrow, winding and unsealed) to this remote beach, a ruggedly beautiful, wind-blasted length of…

8. Tasman Glacier

16.02 MILES

At 27km long and up to 4km wide, the Tasman is the largest of NZ's glaciers, but it's melting fast, losing hundreds of metres of length each year. It is…