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At the glacier town of Franz Josef, the unique combination of soaring mountains and voluminous precipitation means that the massive valleys of ice descend straight into rain forests (a combination also found on the southwest coast of South America). The main reason people visit is to see the Franz Josef Glacier. This being New Zealand, there is much to do besides admire it: you can fly over in helicopters or planes or hike with guides. There are other natural attractions, too. Along the seacoast, fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins inhabit fantastical beaches and forests. On sunny days the Tasman Sea along the stretch between Lake Moeraki and Haast takes on a transcendent shade of blue.