Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier (spelled Franz Josef Glacier - not Franz Joseph Glacier) is located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island amongst lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and mountains. Franz Josef township is located a short distance from the glacier (10 minute drive) and consists mainly of tourism related utilities such as motels, tour operators, restaurants, and cafes.

Viewing Franz Josef Glacier is as easy as driving to the glacier carpark and walking for 10 minutes to the lookout. Viewing Franz Josef is one thing, but why would you travel all the way to Franz Josef just to look at the glacier? Why wouldn't you walk on the glacier? Franz Josef Glacier Guides provide full day and half day glacier adventures. Adventures include walking on the glacier, ice climbing, and helihikes (they bring you in by helicopter). They provide you with Gortex rain coats, leggings, heavy duty boots and Ice Talonz (to clip onto the bottom of your boots). Another company providing glacier adventures is The Guiding Company.

Walking on Franz Josef Glacier is a surreal experience. You spend a large part of your time walking through crevasses and over makeshift bridges, following your expert guides who know this glacier like the back of their hands. Having said this, the glacier is constantly changing, especially after large rainfalls and the guides often need to feel their way around finding new crevasses to climb through.

If you're planning to travel to the West Coast of New Zealand, you should definitely consider hiking either Franz Josef Glacier, or Fox Glacier (located 24km south of the Franz Josef Glacier).