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Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef

4.2
#1 of 180 in Trails in South Island
Geologic Formation Landmark Must See
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. Add Franz Josef Glacier to your Franz Josef travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Franz Josef online holiday planner .
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Tours To Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $347
5.0
205 reviews
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Buy tours from $347
Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $331
5.0
167 reviews
Duration: 3 hours
Buy tours from $331
Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight from Franz Josef BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $245
5.0
72 reviews
Duration: 30 minutes
Buy tours from $245
Franz Josef Glacier Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
3,468 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By theweddingvow
    Interesting trip to the Franz Josef glacier. Round trip hike of about 1.5 hours, and was educational and sad knowing that the beautiful glacier had retreated so much due to climate change. Would...  more »
  • By Laura M
    it is a really easy and nice walk to see the glacier. 1.5h return if you take your time walking it and taking pictures (as the whole walk is mesmerizing) otherwise, you could do it in 1h  more »
  • By daisysnicks
    The walk to the Glacier is along a maintained track for about half the walk followed by a well trodden path next to the valley moraine. Depending on when you go you'll see vegetation, cliffs...  more »
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Popular things to do in Franz Josef

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Helicopter Tours
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West Coast Wildlife Centre
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Roberts Point Track
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Side trips from Franz Josef

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Lake Matheson Walk
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Hidden gems in Franz Josef

Franz Josef Clay Target Shooting
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Tatare Tunnels Walk
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Callery Gorge Walk
4.3
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Lake Mapourika
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Nearby attractions in Franz Josef

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Glacier Country Kayaks
5.0
Duration:3​h
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Glacier Hot Pools
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Franz Josef Glacier Guides
4.2
Duration:2​h
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Glacier Valley Eco Tours
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Duration:4​h

Trails in Franz Josef

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Peters Pool Walk
4.5
Duration:30​min
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Sentinel Rock Walk
4.4
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Terrace Walk
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Nature in Franz Josef

Canavan's Knob Walk
2.5
Duration:1​h 30​min
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Plans to Franz Josef Glacier by other users

8 days in South Island BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA January, teens, popular sights PREFERENCES: January, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 32 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA September, popular sights PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 16 days in South Island BY A USER FROM HONG KONG March, popular sights PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 18 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM INDIA February, kids, popular sights PREFERENCES: February, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 1 day in Fox Glacier BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA April, teens, popular sights PREFERENCES: April, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 30 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA November, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: November, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 60 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM THAILAND January, popular sights PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 15 days in South Island BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA December, popular sights PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 28 days in South Island BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA August, museums, popular sights PREFERENCES: August, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 12 days in South Island BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM February, popular sights PREFERENCES: February ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 32 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM CANADA October, outdoors, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: October, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 15 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, popular sights PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium
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