4 minute read
Glacier Country Must Do's
Franz Josef
Five kilometres from Franz Josef Village lies one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. A one-and-a-half hour walk from the Franz Josef car park will get you within 75m of its grand glacial face.
Advertisement
Fox Glacier
For dazzling views of Fox Glacier, follow the Fox Glacier South Side Walk, a two-hour trail tracing the south bank of the FoxRiver through ancient podocarp rainforest to a stunning viewpoint.
Fox Glacier, credit Adobe Stock
South Westland Salmon Farm
A beautiful pit stop along SH 6 in Paringa, call in for salmon feeding, a cosy café with wood burner, an elevated deck with views of the salmon farm and a salmon shop.
Scenic Flights
Soar over great masses of ice by helicopter or plane. Helicopters are favoured for snow landings whereas scenic flights cover a whopping 200km of pristine alpine scenery. Awardwinning Heli Hike Fox Glacier fly over astonishing terrain before depositing you right there on the glacier.
Heli-hiking
Guided heli-hiking tours to both glaciers forge a route through, up and over the ice. Crawl through ice caves and arches and stride over untouched snow.
White-water Rafting
In Franz Josef, rafting experiences vary from gentle Grade 2 thrills to an extreme Grade 5 adventure.
Quad Biking
Bounce along rainforest tracks, riverbanks and grassland with Franz Josef glacier as your backdrop.
Franz Josef Glacier, credit Adobe Stock
E-Bikes
Whether you are stepping up your adventuring level or want some company on a guided tour, e-biking in this region will get you there easier and faster with time to spare.
Gillespies Beach
For stunning views of the Southern Alps, gold mining remnants and invigorating coastal walks, this beach is just out of Fox Glacier. Stay at the campsite for its nearby seal colony, scattered mining relics and walks to Gillespies Lagoon where there's an old miners' tunnel.
Ōkārito
There is so much to cover at this serene lagoon, just 25 minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier. Explore the waterways by kayak, passing white herons and other rare birds with the snowy mountains as your backdrop. Keen photographers may opt for a drier boat tour. Freedom rentals and guided trip are both available.
White heron/kōtuku, Ōkārito Lagoon © Adobe Stock
Kayak on Lake Mapourika
Hit the water and paddle beside your guide to places enveloped by snow-iced mountain tops and Jurassic rainforest. Gain local insight into the region, its glaciers and terrain.
Waiho Hot Tub
Experience Sinking into a private wood-fired hot tub certainly isn't a bad way to finish a day on the ice. Soak and dine packages mean you needn’t lift a finger.
Credit: Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
White Heron Sanctuary Tours
An informative and fun tour through undisturbed native forest to see the only White Heron/ kōtuku nesting and breeding sitein New Zealand. Located near Whataroa, the tour involves a jet boat and a walk.
Paddle and Soak
Get on the water with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours and kayak the glacial black waters of Lake Mapourika. Afterward, jump in Waiho Hot Tubs and warm up your extremities.
Skydive Fox or Franz Josef
The ultimate thrill and a great way to see the glaciers.
Westland Te Poutini National Park
Extending from the Southern Alps to the West Coast, this is a landscape of dramatic contrasts, forming part of Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Make the most of your time here with guided tours, rainforest hikes, scenic flights, rafting and guide-led heli-hikes.
West Coast Wildlife Centre
In Westland’s lowland forest lives the only remaining population of the endangered rowi – New Zealand’s rarest kiwi. Meet one yourself at this wildlife centre in Franz Josef. They run a successful hatch and release programme for the rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi.
Westland Wonderland
Gracing the movie screen in the Alpine Adventure Centre theatre in Franz Josef, experience the best of the surrounding landscape and nature of Glacier Country in 2D format. Running hourly from 10am.
Glacier Valley Eco Tours
Provided with big ole raincoats, umbrellas, hot drinks and snacks, take a guided walking tour in Glacier Country. Groups are small and the pace is relaxed. Get ready for gigantic waterfalls, icy discoveries and an enrapturing array of flora and fauna.
