1 minute read
8 Top Must-Do's in the Glacier Country
© AA Traveller 2021
1. Lake Kaniere
Advertisement
Drive 24km inland from Hokitika for swimming spots, a jetty, biking and walking routes, and secret picnic nooks on this picturesque lake.
2. West Coast Treetops Walkway
Scuttle across a 450-metre-long platform elevated 20 metres above ground in between ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees, then climb Hokitika Tower, an extra 20 metres above.
3. Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge © West Coast Tourism
The water is an astonishing electric blue and you won’t want to leave without crossing the swing bridge to admire dramatic gorge scenery. Located 33km from central Hokitika.
4. Ōkārito Lagoon
Twenty-five minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier, join Okarito Kayaks for an exploration of the waterways around Okarito Lagoon. With a snowy mountain backdrop, paddle past white herons and rare birds. Freedom rentals and guided trip are both available.
5. Franz Josef Glacier
Guided tour, Franz Josef Glacier © Adobe Stock
Five kilometres from Franz Josef Village, one of the most accessible glaciers in the world rumbles. A one-and-a-half hour walk from the Franz Josef car park will get you within 750 metres of its grand glacial face.
6. Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson © Adobe Stock
Easily Aotearoa’s best known ‘mirror lake’. Just 5km from Fox Glacier township, come and see the perfect reflection of Aoraki Mt Cook in its glass-like water – best experienced on the gentle, 90-minute looped Lake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati Walk.
7. Fox Glacier
Guided tour, Fox Glacier © West Coast Tourism
Glacier For dazzling views of Fox Glacier, follow the Fox Glacier South Side Walk, a two-hour trail tracing the south bank of the Fox River through ancient podocarp rainforest to a stunning viewpoint.
8. Aoraki Mt Cook Stargazing
Aoraki Mt Cook is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve. Departing Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village, the ‘Big Sky Stargazing’ adventure is a one-hour guided journey across the cosmos with astronomer Kate.
