Local Franz Josef Glacier Information
Awe inspiring, breathtaking and simply magnificent is regularly how the Franz Josef Glacier is described. The massive snow falls at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier feed this river of ice as it carves its way down through the lush temperate rainforest of the Westland National Park, to its terminus just 420m above seal level.
There is much to do on our doorstep check out the following activities....
Franz Josef is approximately 1.5 hours drive south from Hokitika and approximately 4 hours drive North from Lake Wanaka. As fuel stations are few and far between in South Westland, it is well worth making a fuel stop before leaving either Hokitika or Wanaka.
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The Ferngrove food centre (4 Square) has a good range of easy meals, snacks, drinks, wine, beer, fruit and vegetables.
Alice May
The Alice May restaurant and bar is next door, a quite wee pub where the meals are filling and the atmosphere is warm. Guinness and Kilkenny on tap.
The Landing
The Landing has a local bar feel with the sophistication of the city - the kind of venue that has a great priced product and enough variety that you’ll want to stay all night. Happy hours, drinks specials ; Large food menu ; Kids Menu ; Large screen TVs ; Indoor and outdoor pool tables ; Large Range of Speights On Tap.
Blue Ice Restaurant And Bar
Downstairs - A la carte restaurant with fine NZ cuisine and great NZ wines. Upstairs bar with free pool table, big screen TV, Pizza and drink deal, snacks, best stocked bar in town.
Full of Beans Café
Affordable family dining Open 7 days from 7am ; Dine in or takeaway ; Freshly baked goods and yummy cakes to go with a coffee.
Priya Indian Restaurant
Aromatic flavours to fuel your taste buds. A range of authentic Indian delicious food in modern indoor and outside setting. Easy 2 minutes walk from the Bella Vista Motel Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
Guzzi Takeaways
Pizza the way we like it! Fish'n'Chips - just a few doors up from Bella Vista Motel.
--- What ever you like to do....
Glacier Country offers many activities that get you up close and personal to our very unique part of New Zealand!
The Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial environment, in a temperate environment, while being within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway.
In the last ice age the glacier extended in a huge ice- sheet to beyond the present coastline. Although today’s glacier has retreated considerably, echoes of it’s frozen past are still apparent in the present landscape. The terminal face of the glacier is less than 300 metres above sea level and is just one of three to be this close to the coastline.
The Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial environment, in a temperate environment, while being within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway.
In the last ice age the glacier extended in a huge ice- sheet to beyond the present coastline. Although today’s glacier has retreated considerably, echoes of it’s frozen past are still apparent in the present landscape. The terminal face of the glacier is less than 300 metres above sea level and is just one of three to be this close to the coastline.
The Hukawai Glacier Center
Hukawai included the Southern Hemisphere’s only indoor ice climbing wall. The Kukawai center is adjacent to your Bella Vista Motel accommodation it includes a 200 square metre 10m high ice climbing wall. Hukawai also hosts a walk – through interactive glacial experience which tells the story and history of the Franz Josef Glacier through Maori legends while also introducing visitors to features of the unique environment found in the areas temperate rainforest.
Glacier Country Lake Tours
Surrounded by magnificent scenery and wildlife, enjoy gliding on mirror-like water with views dominated by the might Southern Alps. Your lake cruise takes place on a well appointed 24 seater boat while our nature guide provides an engaging commentary, pointing out scenic highlights and wildlife. 1.5 hour tours on Lake Maporika just a 5 min uite drive from Bella Vista Motel, or get a ride from Bella Vista to the lake with the Lake Tours team.
Glacier Hot pools
www.glacierhotpools.co.nz open daily 1pm till 10pm.
The Glacier Hot Pools are a stunning new boutique complex on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. Just a hop and skip from your accommodation.
Offering three invitingly warm main hot pools and three intimate private pools surrounded by native bush and fed with pure local glacier water.
Nestled in lush rainforest, The Glacier Hot Pools promises a secluded haven of natural tranquility and the perfect way to relax after traveling or visiting one of the many attractions in the West Coast area.
An evening under the stars, sheltered by nature’s leafy canopy at The Glacier Hot Pools, will be a truly enchanting and rejuvenating experience…. and one to be enjoyed all year round.
Across Country Quad Bikes
www.acrosscountryquadbikes.co.nz
| DURATION |
| Two Hours |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
| 10.00 am, 01.00 pm, 03.30 pm & 06.00 pm (the 06.00 pm trip is Summer time only). |
| PRICE |
| Driver (16+) $115 |
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Passenger (8+) $65 |
Ride out to 10,000year old moraine left by ancient glacial pathways and enjoy enough space to roam. View snow capped peaks and "Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere" otherwise known as the Franz Josef glacier as it plunges from around 2500 metres into the green canopy of the forest a mere 230 metres above sea level.
Enjoy a cup of tea or chocolate at the shelter and hear the old Maori legend of the glacier, its geology and tales of pioneers and adventures from times past. Take on the mud if you dare!
Vehicles
Our vehicles are incredibly easy to ride. With a short lesson anyone aged 16 or over can easily and safely enjoy riding our ATV quad bikes. But don't worry kids these fantastic bikes are a first in New Zealand and feature a specially designed passenger seat enabling whole families to enjoy this experience in safety and comfort. Drive if you can or sit back and enjoy the ride! The passenger seat is suitable for both adults or kids.
We use "Bombardier" 400cc automatic ATV quad bikes manufactured in Canada and made specifically for the recreational quad market. These robust and stable bikes set a new and high standard for safety and comfort and allow any age group to experience this fantastic trip.
Air Safaris
The flight of a lifetime, the "Grand Traverse" is a spectacular scenic flight seeing experience allowing you to explore the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.
The recognized premier Aoraki Mount Cook flight seeing experience, this magnificent flight encompasses two World Heritage National Parks and 200 km of New Zealand’s most memorable and spectacular scenery.
The highlights of this flight include:
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- Beautiful turquoise glacial lakes, golden tussock lands and braided river systems of the Mackenzie basin
- Remote High Country Sheep Stations, glacial valleys and landforms
- The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – a magical world of permanent ice and snow
- New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers; including Aoraki Mount Cook, and the Tasman Glacier
- The Westland Tai Poutini National Park encompassing the magnificent Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers spilling down to the rainforests of Westland
Our large and varied fleet especially selected for New Zealand air tour sightseeing ensures that every passenger has a window seat and all aircraft have wings-above to ensure optimum viewing below. Pilots provide a full and informative commentary with multi language commentary brochures supplied.
Approximately 50 mins flight time. Allow for 1 hour total duration.
Mountains and Glaciers ... close up and personal
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Glacier Helicopters offers a range of scenic helicopter flights from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. Flights depart from the main street just a minuites walk from your accommodatoin . Glacier Helocpters fights encompass the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glaciers and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Glacier landings are our speciality.
Our helicopter flights allow people with limited time to "get away from it all" and experience areas of New Zealand's wilderness renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
All flights land on the snow field at the top of the glacier.
Okarito Kiwi Adventure Trips
- Trip duration 2/3 hours
- Prices from $60 per adult
- Numbers limited to 8 per night
- Trips depart from Okarito
- (Franz Josef on arrangement)
The trips will start at the office of Okarito Kiwi Tours, which is situated in the middle of Okarito ( population 30ish ). We are harder to miss than find ! The trips we offer will be tailor made to the fitness of the groups. We will take a short drive upon dusk.
We will then take either a short walk into known kiwi habitat or take a longer walk deep into an area that consists of known kiwi habitation. Along the way we will look out for other birds. This will give us a great opportunity to see the vary rare fernbird in its natural environment.
We will interpret all bird calls along the way together with detailed knowledge of the local area and it's history.
We will explain the Maori myths and legends that surround the story as to how a kiwi became a ground dwelling bird.
We will also explain a little about New Zealand's history, Continental Drift, Remoteness, Giantism, Isolation, Immigration, Native Mammals, and Flightlessness
Once we reach the kiwi habitation, we will listen for kiwi activity. There is a very good chance that will hear the birds snuffling for food or generally moving around in the bush.
We will hear the bird calling – the very unique sound resonating for miles into the quiet of the night. We have a 90% Success in viewing Kiwi.
During darkness we will hear Morepork ( Ruru ), tree weta's even possum.
After a time listening we will walk back to the vehicle – Along the way we may encounter more kiwis along the track together with more possums or even deer.
A clear night will give us a great chance to be guided by the stars of our galaxy and we often get a great view of the Milky Way.
Once back at the van – the heater is cranked up as we drive back to your accommodation.
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We Provide
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Please Bring
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Torch |
Warm Clothes |
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Safety Whistle |
Sturdy Walking boots |
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Safety Vest |
Mosquito Repellent |
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Mosquito Hats |
Great Attitude |
South Westland Horse Treks
Experience the beauty of New Zealand's 
Franz Josef Glacier country on horseback. This is horse riding in paradise with a stunning backdrop of mountain ranges and rainforest. Soak up the magnificent views of the Southern Alps and the spectacular glacier, as you trek over lush farmland, glacial moraine and riverbed.
Our trekking guides are very experienced riders and fully understand that if you are accustomed to being on horseback, you will expect to enjoy your ride at a faster pace than a walk. Our aim is to make your ride the unforgettable experience you deserve. Treks are tailored to suit all - the non-rider to the experienced horse person.
Our Appaloosa horses are quiet and well mannered, making them suitable mounts for even the most nervous rider. Treks progress at a safe pace, adjusted to your level of experience, and vary in length from 1 to 6 hours, all year round. Trek routes and times may vary depending on the weather.
Department of Conservation
Tracks and walks
There are a number of short and longer walks within the glacier valley. There are also commercial guides available to guide you on these walks and provide further valuable information.
Alex Knob Track
It’s a 4-hour climb to the top of Alex Knob. The track zigzags up to Rata Lookout for a view of the Franz Josef Glacier. From there follow the marked track to the summit.
Callery-Waiho Walk
Follow the Callery-Waiho Walk as it climbs to a high terrace before descending to the Callery River. The track then continues on to the Roberts Point Track.
Canavan's Knob Walk
Canavans Knob Walk will be closed while the track is upgraded. The track will reopen some time in November 2008.
Douglas Walk
The Douglas Walk is an easy one-hour forest walk that passes by the Peters Pool viewpoint and crosses several moraines before descending to the bridge across Dolly Creek on the way back to the road.
Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk
The 40-minute walk to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier follows a rocky path over riverbed. Only experienced and prepared visitors should attempt climbing on the glacier.
Lake Wombat Track
The Lake Wombat Track leads you through a lush rimu forest to the idyllic Lake Wombat.
Roberts Point Track
The Roberts Point Track requires a good level of fitness. After walking one hour you will reach Hendes Hut. From there the track continues to climb on to Roberts Point where the glacier views are spectacular.
Sentinel Rock Walk
Just a short distance south of the Franz Josef Township you will come to the Glacier and Sentinel Rock walks. The Sentinel Rock Lookout offers impressive views of the glacier, the valley and Waiho River.
Tatare Tunnels Walk
The 80-minute return Tatare Tunnels Walk follows an old 4WD road to a junction with the Callery/Waiho Walk. From there follow the track to the old water tunnels.
Terrace Walk
Follow the Terrace Walk as it winds through forest and goes by remnants of past goldmining operations.