Trip Planner:   South Pacific  /  New Zealand  /  South Island  /  West Coast Region  /  Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)  /  Franz Josef  /  Nature  /  Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef

4.2
#1 of 72 in Trails in South Island
Geologic Formation Hiking Trail
Explore one of New Zealand's natural gems with a trek or helicopter ride at Franz Josef Glacier, part of a national park and World Heritage Site. The country's native inhabitants called this 12 km (7.5 mi) glacier "Tears of the Avalanche Girl," believing a young girl's tears over a lost lover froze into the massive sheet of ice. Europeans first investigated the site in the 1860s, when explorer Julius Haast named it after the Austrian emperor. An ideal spot for an outdoor New Zealand adventure, the glacier offers a range of hiking tours suitable for all levels of ability and fitness. To see the glacier from the air, consider a helicopter tour over the frozen mountain landscape. Check the website for deals on tour packages. To visit Franz Josef Glacier on your trip to Franz Josef, use our Franz Josef travel itinerary maker.
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Related Tours to Book
Heli-Hike Franz Josef Glacier Walk BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $339
Heli Hiking Franz Josef BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $323
Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight from Franz Josef BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $233
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $56
Franz Josef Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $180
Franz Josef Mountain Scenic Helicopter Flight BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $339
Fox Glacier Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $180
Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight departing Fox Glacier BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $233
Fox Glacier Mountain Scenic Helicopter Flight BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $338
Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $87
Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $180
Fox and Franz Josef Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight from Fox Glacier BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $234
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Eco Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $57
Mount Cook Spectacular Helicopter Flight from Fox Glacier BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $339
Fox and Franz Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight from Franz Josef BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $234
65-Minute Southern Alps Ski Plane Tour from Mount Cook BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $422
55-Minute Southern Alps Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $421
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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
2,552 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • Beautiful 90 minute walk thru the valley floor and river bed to the glacier viewing area. There were some moderate grades to walk but most everyone including small children could make the trip without...  more »
  • We started out from the trail head at the end of the Glacier Access Road, which is south of Franz Josef Waiau township. The trail starts at the parking lot and follows a river bed through a valley sur...  more »
  • This is a super easy walk for a family with children (5 & 7 years). There are some uphill sections, but easily achieved. And you get to get up close and personal with a stunning glacier. All paths are...  more »
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Best things to do in Franz Josef

Popular
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Helicopter Tours
Franz Josef
Visit for: 30​min
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Spas & Wellness
Franz Josef
Visit for: 2​h
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West Coast Wildlife Centre
Franz Josef
Visit for: 30​min
Side Trips
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Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
Visit for: 4​h
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Aoraki/Mt. Cook
Mt. Cook Village
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
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Hooker Valley Track
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
Hidden Gems
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Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
Franz Josef
Visit for: 3​h
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Gallery Gorge Walk
Franz Josef
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Tatare Tunnels Walk
Franz Josef
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Nearby
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Franz Josef Glacier Guides
Franz Josef
Visit for: 3​h 30​min
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Glacier Hot Pools
Franz Josef
Visit for: 2​h
Glacier Country Kayaks
Franz Josef
Visit for: 3​h
Adventure
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Franz Josef
Visit for: 3​h
Tours
Horseback Riding Tours
Franz Josef
Visit for: 3​h
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Where to stay in Franz Josef

With the increasing popularity of the glacier among vacationers, the town of Franz Josef offers a range of accommodations to suit the needs of its many visitors. Hostels are popular in the town center, but those looking for something more upscale will also find luxury hotels. Camping is a good option if you want to get straight out into the wild. Advanced reservations are essential during peak times.
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10 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 18 days in South Island BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 5 days in Queenstown, Milford Sound & Franz Josef BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND October, culture, outdoors, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 27 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM January, popular PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 10 days in Franz Josef & Christchurch BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE October, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, popular PREFERENCES: October, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in Franz Josef, Fox Glacier & Christchurch BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE October, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, popular PREFERENCES: October, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 18 days in Auckland & South Island BY A USER FROM TAIWAN October, slow & easy, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Slow & easy 10 days in South Island BY A USER FROM INDIA September, relaxing, popular PREFERENCES: September, relaxing ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 26 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 22 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 26 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: November, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 15 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium
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