Christchurch to Franz Josef - arguably the best real Kiwi adventure
Franz Josef - recession or no recession - is about to take off.
The south Westland township famous for its striking glacier is bustling with construction staff working on the latest state of the art five-star eco retreat, Te Waonui.
Prime Minister John Key is expected to open Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef and the West Coast's first major five star eco hotel in September.
The 100-room hotel, part of the biggest NZ-owned hotel chain the Scenic Group, is completely hidden in pristine native bush, while being almost right in the centre of Franz Josef village, which is something New Zealand hasn't had before.
Every room has a view looking straight into dense native bush. Te Waonui has been designed to meld into the surrounding native bush. It features predominately sustainable building materials and makes concession for the abundant West Coast rain with large roofs and massive shelter in the outdoor spaces. The retreat has already encouraged native birds through its feeding stations in the courtyard bush.
The best way to see the glacier is to join a guided walk with Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Or take one of the many stunning walks from the glacier carpark.
After a busy day out and about, go relax in the grand new Ngai Tahu-owned Glacier Hot Pools. The pools, fed by pure local glacier water, are immersed in real native bush, rimu, ferns and pungas. See: www.glacierhotpools.com
There's even a massage treatment room which captures the stunning view of the beautiful bush setting. It is so totally relaxing. Masseuse Lynda Gibson is one of the best in the country at what she does.
Lynda runs the beauty treatment set up at the hot pools and offers the usual array of massages. She has a great way about her and despite being sad to leave Christchurch she is happy and stress-free living 20 minutes up the road in Okarito and commuting each day.
Lynda is a fantastic masseuse and highly-trained. She recommends clients first enjoy and unwind in the hot pools; then have an unwinding massage treatment; then return to the pools for a little longer to fully relax. They can pick up a wide range of Purse Source beauty spa product from Rotorua on their way out.
The pool's massage therapy uses a variety of well known techniques including sport, deep tissue, relaxation, trigger-point therapy and myofascial release. Hot and cold stone therapy has been introduced too.
"Our main point of difference to a lot of spa type services is that we tailor every massage to suit the individual client, rather than a 'one massage routine for all' type approach," Lynda says.
At the pools people gently sink into any of the six hot thermal pools and listen to the tui, bellbirds and see the fantails. The three main pools are set at 36, 38 and 40 degrees, nestled right next to the Punga, ferns and sound of divine bird songs. The pools, fed by pure local glacier water, are immersed in real native bush, rimu, ferns and pungas. See: www.glacierhotpools.com
After a day hiking on the glacier, rafting, an Okarito lagoon kayak trip, horse trekking, glacier eco tour, kayaking, indoor ice climb, quad biking or bush walking the hot pools or a massage are becoming a popular way to finish a day in paradise.
South Westland is known for its heavy annual rainfall but the hot pools are a luxury haven dry or wet. Franz Josef township and its glacier descends deep into the lush rainforest of WestlandÆs National Park. Franz is the worldÆs steepest and fastest flowing commercially guided glacier.
The best way to see the glacier is to join a guided walk with Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Or take one of the many stunning walks from the glacier carpark.
The small township is expanding with more upmarket accommodation, more restaurants and so much to do. This is one of the best places in the South Island to enjoy a magic natural environment.
It's about a six hour drive from Christchurch. Stop halfway and order a whitebait pizza at Hokitika's Fat Pipi Pizza. Take it down on the beach and begin to slow down. Enjoy. Before heading off drop into Ocean Paua and take a look at Charlotte Riley's stunning paintings. She is going places.
By Kip Brook - www.wordofmouthnz.com
