Is Franz Josef Glacier worth visiting?

Author

Charlotte Adams

Published Mar 09, 2026

Is Franz Josef Glacier worth visiting?

Both the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are natural wonders and each one is worth some taking some time to explore. However you choose to explore the glaciers, don't leave the West Coast without taking at least one unforgettable memory with you. \u2013 Fox Glacier is the third largest glacier in New Zealand.

Similarly, you may ask, is Franz Josef worth visiting?

While Fox Glacier is bigger, we prefer the gorgeous surroundings with intriguing vegetation, waterfalls, and rock formations at Franz Josef, it's still 100% worth to visit Fox Glacier as well.

Beside above, can you walk Franz Josef Glacier? Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. You can't get that close to the glacier face anymore because it's receded too far.

Then, can you see Franz Josef Glacier without a tour?

You won't be able to touch it at all without going on a tour. over a year ago. Yes! You can hike the trail to the base of the glacier without a guide.

Is Franz Josef Heli Hike worth it?

Melissa recently did a Heli Hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides and in her blog, she says that yes, it was worth every penny. A Heli Hike option with Franz Josef Glacier Guides may cost you more than a few cold beers, but some things are just worth it.

Does Franz Josef have snow?

Snow falls at the top of the glacier, but it's unusual to see snow fall in the township of Franz Josef Glacier because of the low altitude and proximity to the coast. Because there is less movement, theamazing ice features of the glacier, like crevasses and ice caves, hang around for longer.

Is Dunedin worth visiting?

Nowadays Dunedin has quickly become the one of the quirkiest, fun and up-and-coming spots in New Zealand, and it's definitely worth checking out on any adventure on the South Island. There's so much to see and do here, and it really has a local kiwi vibe that is often lost in the more touristic locals these days.

Is Franz Josef Glacier Open?

Glacier Motors, 20 Main Road, Franz Josef village. Open 7.30am–7.30pm in summer, 8am-7.00pm in winter, 7 days a week. Open 8am–7.00pm in summer, 8am-6.00pm in winter, 7 days a week.

Is Mt Cook worth visiting?

Mount Cook is well worth a visit on a nice day. Some short walks available around the glacier lake. Not sure if I would advise making a visit to Mount Cook village in cloudy/rainy weather. The mount John observatory is at its best on a cold frosty clear night.

Is Queenstown worth visiting?

Queenstown is in a picturesque setting and you get a good viewpoint from the gondola and from the plane on the approach. There is a good atmosphere in town in the restaurants and bars - plenty of young and young-at-heart people around. So, yes it's worth visiting.

Is it worth going to Christchurch?

So, is Christchurch worth visiting after the earthquakes? Yes and no. I really enjoyed my recent trip to Christchurch. There's more than enough to keep most busy for a few days, but it really depends on how long you're planning on being in New Zealand.

Is it worth going to New Zealand?

A Trip to New Zealand is worth every penny. The country is filled with wonderful natural reserves and marine reserves which are to be visited at least once in a lifetime. This is the reason why many people travel NZ during December season. New Zealand is known for its fun adventure activities.

Can you walk Franz Josef glacier without a guide?

Yes! You can hike the trail to the base of the glacier without a guide.

Which is better Franz Josef or Fox?

Fox Glacier has a gradual incline whereas Franz Josef is steeper. The surface of Franz Josef Glacier is full of crevasses and ice caves, where you have a much better chance of seeing the famous blue ice.

Can you see Franz Josef Glacier from the road?

The Franz Josef Glacier valley is a hazardous environment. The access road and tracks can be closed due to rock falls or flooded rivers, and glacier viewpoints may be hundreds of metres from the face of the glacier.

What is there to do in Franz Josef for free?

Expand your search.

Franz Josef Glacier. 3,534 reviews.
Roberts Point Track. 72 reviews.
Tatare Tunnels Walk. 104 reviews.
Peters Pool Walk. 69 reviews.
Franz Josef i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. 87 reviews.
Sentinel Rock Walk. 46 reviews.
Callery Gorge Walk.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre (Franz Josef)

Can you walk on Fox Glacier without helicopter?

Short answer is No. A few years ago you could do a walk on the glaciers without requiring a helictoper and both franz and fox guiding companies did the walks. The heli hike is the only way for tourists to get onto the glacier and be able to explore, as the heli lands some distance up the glacier.

Can you walk to Fox Glacier?

Further out towards the coast, 6 km from Fox Glacier, you can take an easy walk around the glacial formed Lake Matheson which provides beautiful reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman and the forested shore in the still waters of the lake on calm, clear days.

What is there to see between Franz Josef and Wanaka?

You'll travel through the spectacular glacier region, two national parks and past two of New Zealand's largest lakes, Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. From coastal scrub, rain forest, glaciers and native bush, to alpine tussock lands, lakes and mountains - this road showcases the best of South Island scenery all in one go.

How far is it from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier?

1. The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef is 4.5 hours. You will want to stop along the way as there are many beautiful places along the way - The Blue Pools being one of our favourite.

How long is Fox Glacier walk?

How long will it take? This is a 2.6km one-hour return walk. Drive south for 2km from Fox Glacier Weheka township, and turn left immediately before the Fox River bridge.

What's better Fox Glacier or Franz Josef?

The most dramatic formations occur on a glacier when it moves downwards on a steep gradient. Fox Glacier has a gradual incline whereas Franz Josef is steeper. The surface of Franz Josef Glacier is full of crevasses and ice caves, where you have a much better chance of seeing the famous blue ice.

How cold is it on Franz Josef Glacier?

The Franz Josef town experiences more than 5 liters of rain each year and 10-15 meters of snow at the top of the glacier. However, in the winter it's more stable. Temperatures are low: 5 – 15°C (41-57°F), but the weather is more stable than during other seasons.

Does anyone live in Franz Josef Land?

Franz Josef Land, Frantz Iosef Land, Franz Joseph Land or Francis Joseph's Land (Russian: Земля´ Фра´нца-Ио´сифа, tr. Zemlya Frantsa-Iosifa) is a Russian archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean. It is inhabited only by military personnel.

Is Fox Glacier or Franz Josef better?

The most dramatic formations occur on a glacier when it moves downwards on a steep gradient. Fox Glacier has a gradual incline whereas Franz Josef is steeper. The surface of Franz Josef Glacier is full of crevasses and ice caves, where you have a much better chance of seeing the famous blue ice.

Can you walk up to Fox Glacier?

Walk, climb, or hike alone on Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier. Unless you have the correct equipment and ice climbing experience, for your own and others safety, you should not consider climbing on the glacier. If you wish to walk on the glacier it is strongly advised that you go with a guided walk company.

How can glaciers be dangerous?

On land, lakes formed on top of a glacier during the melt season may cause floods. At the terminus, or snout, of a valley glacier, ice falling from the glacier presents a hazard to hikers below. When ice breaks off over the ocean, an iceberg is formed. Some examples of these hazards are listed below.

Which Glacier is better Fox and Franz?

The most dramatic formations occur on a glacier when it moves downwards on a steep gradient. Fox Glacier has a gradual incline whereas Franz Josef is steeper. The surface of Franz Josef Glacier is full of crevasses and ice caves, where you have a much better chance of seeing the famous blue ice.

Is the road to Franz Josef Glacier Open?

Glacier Motors, 20 Main Road, Franz Josef village. Open 7.30am–7.30pm in summer, 8am-7.00pm in winter, 7 days a week. Open 8am–7.00pm in summer, 8am-6.00pm in winter, 7 days a week.

How do you get to Franz Josef glacier walk?

Drive or walk south from the Franz Josef Waiau township across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau. From here, the car park is about 4km. This track is sometimes closed; check with the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre.

Can you walk up Franz Josef Glacier?

Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. You can't get that close to the glacier face anymore because it's receded too far.

How do I get from Queenstown to Fox Glacier?

Bus Queenstown to Fox Glacier. Take a bus Queenstown to Fox Glacier with InterCity. The journey from Queenstown takes approximately 7 hours 15 minutes, travelling through the Southern Alps and into the rugged native bush and wild splendour of the West Coast.

Can you hike Franz Josef Glacier?

Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. You can't get that close to the glacier face anymore because it's receded too far.

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