Glacier Laketours ecocruise
Your Glacier Country holiday will be incomplete
if you miss out on a Glacier Country Lake Tour. A Lake Tour cruise is the most relaxing way to experience this unique region. A real alternative to seeing the glaciers, with no physical exertion required. This is the only cruise in the world where it is possible to see New Zealand's two highest peaks - Mt Cook Aoraki and Mt Tasman Rarakiora, and the glacier that created the lake.
Lake Mapourika is ten minutes drive north of Franz Josef Glacier village, and has several unique features, which can only be discovered by boat. Skipper Trevor Willetts can customize your 1 ½ hour Lake Tour cruise according to your interests. You can learn about the Lakes flora and fauna, human history, and the stories of the Franz Josef Glacier K? Roimata o Hine Hukatere. You can also visit some secret fishing and bird watching spots known only to the locals.
The eight metre long Hanna K
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has a large cabin, so you can stay warm and dry, even on a rainy day. Everyone in your crew from the youngest sailor to the oldest sea dog will love this relaxed adventure. Complete your holiday in Glacier Country with this unique lake tour, book online or call 0800 LAKE TOURS (0800 525 386).
ABOUT LAKE MAPOURIKA
The S.S. Mapourika was a frequent coastal visitor during the gold rush in the 1860's, bringing miners and fresh supplies to Glacier Country. In M?ori Mapourika means 'flower of the dawn' and this name was given to the largest lake in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Around 18,000 years ago, the Franz Josef Glacier Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere scoured out the landscape, and stretched out to the Tasman Sea. As the glacier retreated 14,000 years ago, great chunks of ice melted to create the lake.
Today, you can get out on the lake and learn all about the many unique features and surprises by taking a Glacier Country Lake Tour!
A NATIONAL PARK AND WORLD HERITAGE AREA
The area around Lake Mapourika gained National Park status in 1960, when 127,000 hectares of land became part of the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The unique characterises of the West Coast of the South Island have also been recognised on a world scale. In 1990, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) created Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.