Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers

Two glaciers descending into temperate rainforest, with heli-hikes on the ice and Mt Cook reflected in Lake Matheson – a must-stop on the South Island's West Coast.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers lie in the Westland District on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, within Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. The two glaciers pour down from the vast névé of the Southern Alps, their tongues reaching into temperate rainforest just a few hundred metres above sea level – a meeting of glacier and rainforest that is extremely rare worldwide. The two towns are about 25 km apart: Franz Josef to the north has more accommodation and dining, plus hot pools and a kiwi wildlife centre; Fox Glacier to the south is close to Lake Matheson, where on clear days you can see Mt Cook reflected in the water. About 30 km north, Ōkārito Lagoon is great for kayaking and birdwatching. The climate is wet, with over 5,000 mm of rain a year, but you can visit year-round; winter (Jun–Aug) actually has more clear days, while summer (Dec–Feb) has long days but more rain and sandflies. Heli-hikes on the glaciers and scenic flights over the névé are the signature experiences, but are often cancelled in bad weather, so plan 2–3 nights and leave some flexibility. Getting there: drive State Highway 6 – about 2 hours from Hokitika to the north and 4 hours from Wānaka to the south; InterCity buses stop daily. The glaciers keep retreating, and parts of the glacier valley walks close from time to time, so check the DOC website before you go.

Top sights

• Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere – A glacier pouring from the Southern Alps into temperate rainforest. The glacier valley walk gives views of the ice tongue, and helicopters…
• Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe – A sister glacier about 25 km south of Franz Josef. The South Side Walkway lookout gives views of the ice tongue and valley, and helicopter…
• Lake Matheson – A dark lake framed by rainforest that mirrors Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, one of New Zealand's most famous reflection views.
• Glacier Hot Pools – Outdoor hot pools in the rainforest on the edge of Franz Josef village, a great place to soak and unwind after a hike or glacier flight.
• Peters Pool – A small kettle lake left behind as the glacier retreated, its calm surface reflecting distant peaks. The short, flat track suits all ages.
• Roberts Point Track – A half-day hike crossing suspension bridges and climbing rock-face boardwalks, ending at a high point with close views of the Franz Josef G…
• Alex Knob Track – A full-day trek climbing from rainforest into subalpine terrain. From the summit you can see the glacier, the Southern Alps and the Tasman…
• Tatare Tunnels Walk – A walk through tunnels of an old gold-era water race. You wade through the tunnel and see glowworms deep inside, so bring a headlamp.
• West Coast Wildlife Centre – A hatchery for New Zealand’s rarest kiwi species, where you can see kiwi and tour the behind-the-scenes incubation rooms.
• Lake Mapourika – The largest glacial lake on the West Coast, its dark surface reflecting rainforest and snowy peaks. Kayaking, swimming and fishing are all…
• Ōkārito Lagoon – New Zealand’s largest undeveloped wetland lagoon, where kayaks glide through channels past herons, with the Southern Alps rising in the dis…
• Ōkārito Trig Walk – A short climb beside Okarito village, with panoramic views from the summit over the lagoon, the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps.
• Gillespies Beach – A remote beach from the gold-rush era, strewn with driftwood and pebbles. On clear evenings you can see the Southern Alps at sunset, and wa…
• Minnehaha Walk – A short rainforest loop beside Franz Josef village. After dark, the blue glow of glowworms appears on the stream banks. It is free and easy…
• Knights Point Lookout – A classic stop on the glacier highway (State Highway 6) along the coast, with high cliff views over the Tasman Sea, rock islands and a rain…
• Ship Creek (Tauparikākā) Walks – Two short walks beside the glacier highway, one through dunes to a beach and one through an ancient wetland forest with a wooden viewing to…

Where to eat

• Matheson Cafe – A scenic café at the start of the Lake Matheson track, with a terrace facing Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. It's the top…
• Alice May Restaurant – Franz Josef's most consistently well-regarded pub restaurant, themed around the story of Alice May, with generous porti…
• Snakebite Brewery – The liveliest bar-restaurant on Franz Josef's main street, serving Southeast Asian street food from breakfast through t…
• Monsoon Bar & Restaurant – A bar-restaurant at the entrance to a rainforest resort, serving thin-crust pizzas, burgers, and more than forty gins…

Itineraries

• New Zealand South Island In-Depth Grand Loop – A complete loop of the South Island starting from Christchurch, connecting coastlines, glaciers, fjords, peninsulas, an…
• TranzAlpine Train & West Coast Glaciers – Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, then drive along the West Coast glaciers to Queenstown.