There are a range of attractions such as scenic flights, guided glacier hikes, a cycleway, forest hikes of varying length, guided walks, kayaking, and action adventures like quad biking or skydiving to name a few.įranz Josef Glacier village is on State Highway 6 and is 135km 1 hour and 43 minutes by car from Hokitika, 285km 3 hours and 35 minutes by car from Wanaka and 25 minutes by car from Fox Glacier village.įranz Josef Glacier is just five kilometres from the village.
This provides a very rare opportunity to see or walk on a dynamic glacier within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway. The main attraction – Franz Josef Glacier/ Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, descends from the tops of the Southern Alps into rainforest close to sea level. The village has an excellent variety of accommodation, restaurants, activities and general services. There is really little to do in Franz Josef other than the glacier and even less to do in Fox Glacier (30 kilometres away on a very twisty, turny road).The small but lively Franz Josef Glacier village is only a few kilometres from the Glacier itself, and is situated at the base of the spectacular World Heritage Area. Hotels Hotels in Franz Josef Glacier Going to Check-in Check-out Guests makes it easy and rewarding.
You can also fly over the glaciers (cheaper than helihiking, but still expensive). We spent 3 days in Franz Josef waiting for a break in the weather to get up on the glacier and just made it in on the morning of the day we had to leave. Often they are in clouds or it is raining and you can't get near because of the condition of the roads or the helicopters can't fly. Problem with both glaciers is also the weather. You can helihike on Franz Josef (costly, but highly recommended - you'll be right on the glacier for up to 3 hours, then soak in their hot pools as long as you want after). You can drive reasonably close to both glaciers and then hike a distance to get closer, but you'll still be a good kilometre or so away from the glacier's face when they post signs to go no further (danger, and I'd take their advice - people have died ignoring the warnings). Franz Josef would be my choice of the two. It's a good day's drive from either to the glaciers. Both glaciers are located on the west coast, halfway between Westport in the north and Queenstown in the south. But it certainly soured our experience in a beautiful country near the end of our visit! And it's too much to expect the local restaurants to advise their customers not to drive after a glass of wine. The officer was polite, but this routine behavior must be a real money maker for the government here, particularly since it is in a very touristy area and there must be good pickings in the evenings for tourists leaving the downtown area after a nice meal and glass of wine. This particular officer admitted that he had pulled over 10-12 cars this evening, apparently randomly checking with his test kit. One of us received a DUI citation after dinner, without any erratic or unlawful driving, and after only one small glass of wine in a local restaurant. And the standard for DUI is apparently much lower here than in the USA. Beware the DUI cop here! DO NOT DRIVE after even one glass of wine in a local restaurant! We were unaware that in New Zealand the police can just pull you over without any cause whatsoever and give you a breathalyzer test.
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