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 to reach.
This loop track near Franz Josef village takes about 20 minutes and follows a stream through temperate rainforest thick with moss and tree ferns. By day you can feel the wild, untouched rainforest. After dark, blue lights appear on the stream banks; these are actually the glow of fungus gnat larvae, though they are commonly called glowworms. For night visits, use red light or turn off your torch. Flash photography and touching are not permitted. It is free and about 5 minutes’ walk from the town centre.
Opening hours
Open all day (fireflies visible at night)
Nearby sights
- Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe
- Lake Matheson
- Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
- Alex Knob Track
- Peters Pool
- Roberts Point Track
- West Coast Wildlife Centre
- Glacier Hot Pools