Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

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Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: Understand

The Southern part of New Zealand’s west coast is most known for two glaciers: Franz Josef Glacier (12 km long) and Fox Glacier (13 km long). There are also a number of other treasures in this part of NZ, including Lake Matheson, Okarito Lagoon and Munro Beach.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: Getting In & Out

By plane:

There are two airports on the West Coast and a few smaller airstrips for private, scenic trips. Regular daily services by Air New Zealand run between Hokitika and Christchurch and Sounds Air between Westport and Wellington. Note: it is not common to travel by air to the West Coast as the cost is quite high, and the best way to explore the area is with a car / campervan.

Renting a campervan or rental car is a great way to explore New Zealand with flexibility and freedom! It’s easiest to pick up/drop off rentals from the major airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. We recommend you book in advance. Check out our handy guides Travel New Zealand by Campervan or Travel New Zealand by Car.

By car:

Franz Josef village is on State Highway 6 and is 2 hours by car from Hokitika, 6 hours from Wanaka and 25 minutes from Fox Glacier village.

By bus:

Take a look at the InterCity website to plan your bus journey.

Night sky at Waiho River, just south of Franz Josef Village

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: See & Do

Visiting the Glaciers should be the first activity on your list. They’re just over 20 km apart, so you can certainly visit Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in a day. A relatively easy walk will get you up close to the terminal face of both Glaciers, or jump in a helicopter and land on the ice!

Franz Josef Glacier

12 km long
The lookout over the glacier face takes almost an hour from the nearest carpark (note: this is not on the ice)
There are guided tours available with Franz Josef Glacier Guides and other companies operate helicopter trips
Franz Josef township is small, but well set up for tourists with restaurants, bars, cafe and shops. There are also a number of accommodation options and relaxing hot pools.

Fox Glacier

13 km long
The lookout over the glacier face takes 30-minutes from the nearest carpark (note: this is not on the ice)
There are a few companies operating helicopter trips and guided walks on Fox Glacier
Fox township is tiny, and boasts it’s laid back atmosphere (Fox township is less busy that Franz Josef, but with less options for eating and sleeping. We’ve outlined options for both below.)

For the more adventurous, guided hikes/walks on the Glaciers are well worth considering. Squeeze through tight blue crevasses, slide through ice caves or even ‘franz shuffle’ down near vertical walls of ice.

Glacier Helicopters Scenic Flights have scenic helicopter flights over Fox Glacier / Franz Josef Glaciers & Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park. They also offer Glacier landings.

Other treasures near the Glaciers

Located from North to South…

30-minutes drive north of Franz Josef Village is Ōkārito – a tiny township with a beautiful lagoon full of wildlife. There is a 1km walk, or if you have a bit more time on your side we would recommend the Ōkārito Trig Walk. The Trig Walk is 4.2km (approx. 1-hour return) and climbs gradually to a viewpoint that cannot be beaten on a good day!

3 Mile Pack Track is just under 10km and can only be walked an hour each side of low tide – tide times are provided in the carpark.

The Tatare Tunnels are located in Franz Josef Village at the end of Cowan Street. It’s 3.6 km return walk, the first section on a 4WD track becoming narrower and steeper the closer you get to the tunnels. Once inside the tunnels, water can get to be ankle deep. Walk towards the deeper end of the tunnel and you’ll be surrounded by glow worms with a cool semi-flooded mine shaft. Remember a torch and rainjacket!

Lake Matheson (aka ‘Mirror Lake’) is just 6-minutes drive from Fox Glacier Village and is one of New Zealand’s most famous postcard views. The dark waters of Lake Matheson provide a picture-perfect reflection of Mount Cook (Aoraki) & Mount Tasman. Give yourself at least an hour here to walk parts of the lake and enjoy the vistas. Typically the reflection is best in in the morning.

Gillespies Beach is further beyond Lake Matheson (away from SH6) and has a number of walking tracks and a wide beach where you’ll likely be one of the only visitors.

Bruce Bay is a beautiful, wild spot on the coast with lots of rock art and a coffee cart too!

Munro Beach Walk is stunning, secluded beach that’s well worth a stop. It’s an easy 4.7km walk to Munro Beach, taking just over 1-hour return. In Spring you could see penguins crossing the beach to their nesting spots – be sure to give them plenty of space.

Just beyond Munro Beach is Knights Point Lookout, which is has a great elevated view not long before Haast. It is a popular stop for buses, so that could affect your decision to stop.

Once you begin heading inland on SH6, there are a few more stops you can make before you hit Wanaka…

For waterfall chasing, you’ve got multiple options… the highlights reel starts with Roaring Billy Falls, 30m height and an easy 40-minute return walk, next is Thunder Creek Falls, 96m height and a 10-minute return walk, Gates of Haast Falls is a roadside waterfall you’ll see from the car when you cross the bridge, but there’s also a small carpark to stop and explore from, or finally Fantail Falls, 23 metres and also a 10-minute return walk.

The Blue Pools walk is a highlight for us on the Haast Highway. It’s one of our country’s best short walks, just 750 metres from the carpark through a beech (tawhero) forest. You’ll cross the Makarora River over a swing bridge, then follow a boardwalk to a viewing platform over the Blue Pools. Be sure to cross the Blue Pools bridge for views up the river gorge.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: Eat & Drink

Alice May is located in the main Franz Josef village and has delicious food and good service. The story behind the name is quite an interesting read too …

Snake Bike Brewery is another good food option in Franz Josef. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and the menu has a good choice of burgers and Asian cuisine.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: Sleep

Westwood Lodge is luxury bed and breakfast lodge accommodation set in a bush garden close to Franz Josef township. Boasts superb rainforest and mountain views.

Punga Grove Motels located in Franz Josef village

Rainforest Retreat is nestled in 6 acres of native bush in Franz Josef village, offering options suited to various budgets including Tree Houses, Tree Lodges, Tree Huts and Park Motels.

Jag Escape Franz Alpine Retreat has family-friendly, luxury chalet-style accommodation boasting SKY TV, Wireless internet and superb alpine views.

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier provides quality hotel accommodation with cafe and restaurant set in beautiful rainforest surroundings within Franz Josef village.

Glenfern Villas has luxury 1 / 2 bedroom villas in Franz Josef Glacier. Spacious, modern apartment style accommodation with fully equipped kitchens.

Sunset Motel is Motel accommodation boasting mountain views set in tranquil farmland a short walk from Fox Glacier village.