Hotels in Westland District, New Zealand
Westland District hugs New Zealand's wild West Coast, famous for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, which creep down from the Southern Alps into lush rainforest. The climate is cool and wet year-round, with heavy rainfall feeding the valleys-think 250 rainy days annually-so summer (Dec-Feb, 50-70°F/10-20°C) is prime for heli-hikes on the ice or kayaking on mirror-like Lake Matheson for views of Mount Cook. In winter (June-Aug, 40-55°F/5-12°C), try glacier walks at lower elevations and visit the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki on a dry day, then cozy up in a hot tub with fewer crowds and lower room rates.