Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in a nutshell
The Franz Josef Glacier (KΔ Roimata o Hine Hukatere) and the Fox Glacier (Te Moeka o Tuawe) lie in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of the South Island. The villages of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier sit on State Highway 6, roughly 21 to 24 km apart, depending on whose figure you use.
Seeing a glacier here can mean three different things, and they are separate products. You can look at the ice from a lookout in the valley. You can fly over it, with a snow landing. Or you can walk on it with a guide after a helicopter ride. The Department of Conservation (DOC) calls the helicopter the only safe access for guided walks on the Franz Josef Glacier, and the public valley track does not lead onto the ice. On 20 October 2026 DOC gave the distance from the lookout to the glacier face as 3,000 m at Franz Josef and 2,600 m on the Fox South Side.
This is an independent site, not run by DOC, a council, a tourism board or a tour company. Prices are in New Zealand dollars (NZ$) as listed in 2026, and they change.
What this guide covers
The two glaciers and everything you can reach from them in a day.
The guide starts with the ice: the Franz Josef heli hike, snow landings and scenic flights, the valley walk and the Fox Glacier South Side track. Around them are Lake Matheson, the ΕkΔrito lagoon and Hokitika Gorge, plus the road in over the Haast Pass, the weather and where to stay. The Glacier Hot Pools have their own page, because they are closed.
Some neighbouring topics have their own guides. Flights that include a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook are covered in more depth in the Mount Cook scenic flights guide, and the national park around the mountain has a guide of its own. If your route continues south to the fjords, see Milford Sound. This site stays on the West Coast.
Getting here is a long drive from any big town. A visitor listing gives 351 km from Queenstown (about 4 hours 40 minutes) and 382 km from Christchurch (about 5 hours) in normal conditions, without stops. The details, including buses and fuel, are on the getting there page.
Our picks: helicopter tours
A glacier hike by helicopter, a snow landing and a flight over two glaciers.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Glacier hike with helicopter transfer
Helicopter flights to the glacier and back, a guided hike, and crampons, boots, poles, rain gear, helmet and gloves.
Check availability β
35-minute flight over two glaciers
A safety briefing, headset and live commentary from the pilot are included.
Check availability β
20-minute flight with a snow landing
Headsets and pilot commentary are included, and the pilot points out the peaks. The snow landing depends on the weather.
Check availability βFranz Josef and Fox Glacier tours
Heli hikes, snow landings, scenic flights and guided walks around the two glaciers, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the list of things to do or the tour overview, then open the pages you need.
Things to do in Franz Josef
Twelve experiences, from the valley walk to a snow landing.
Tours compared
Heli hikes, flights and guided walks side by side.
Franz Josef heli hike
Times, NZ$899, age and weight limits, and what happens if the weather stops it.
Helicopter flights
Snow landings, the two-glacier flight and the Mount Cook combination.
Franz Josef valley walk
A 1.7 km return track to the lookout, plus Sentinel Rock.
Fox Glacier
The South Side track, the heli hike and the village.
Beyond the glaciers
Lakes, lagoons and a gorge, plus the practical pages.
Lake Matheson
A 4.4 km loop and a mirror view of the Southern Alps on calm mornings.
Okarito and its lagoon
Kayaks, a kiwi tour and short walks, 28 km from Franz Josef.
Hokitika Gorge
A short walk to a river that can turn a pale turquoise.
Hot pools: current status
The Glacier Hot Pools are closed. What to do instead.
Getting to Franz Josef
Haast Pass, Queenstown, Christchurch, buses and fuel.
Weather and best time
Monthly rainfall and how rain affects flights and tracks.
Where to stay
Franz Josef or Fox Glacier: which village suits your plans.
Good to know in autumn 2026
Where older articles and listings are out of date.
You cannot walk to the ice
The public tracks end at lookouts. DOC reported 3,000 m to the Franz Josef Glacier and 2,600 m on the Fox South Side on 20 October 2026, and both valley accesses were open. The distance changes from day to day. Some shuttle and bus listings suggest a short walk to the glacier, but the DOC track stops at the lookout.
Valley walk βParking is paid
The Franz Josef glacier car park costs NZ$2.50 per half hour, with a maximum of NZ$20 a day. Since 1 September 2026 the free stop is 10 minutes. The machines take debit and credit cards, not cash.
Access road and car park βThe Glacier Hot Pools are closed
Do not plan around old tickets or opening hours. A separate hot tub business in the village is covered on the hot pools page.
Hot pools βRoad works on the southern approach
After a closure from 28 August 2026, a press report of 9 October said State Highway 6 between Makarora and Lake HΔwea was open to through traffic again. On weekdays a guided convoy runs and can add up to 30 minutes. Check the current road status before you drive.
Getting there βFees
The International Visitor Levy is NZ$100 for liable travellers and is paid with the visa or NZeTA application, not at the glacier. DOC is consulting on access charges for international visitors at other places such as Aoraki/Mount Cook and Milford Sound. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are not on that list.
Franz Josef Glacier: frequently asked questions
Can I walk on the Franz Josef Glacier?
Only with a guide on a heli hike. The helicopter is the access for guided walks on the ice, and the public valley track ends at a lookout about 3,000 m from the ice (20 October 2026). See the heli hike page.
How much does a heli hike cost?
The Franz Josef heli hike is listed at NZ$899 for adults and children in 2026, valid to 30 September 2027. The Fox Glacier operator's rate of NZ$795 ran to 30 September 2026, so check its current price list. Snow landings without a hike are shorter and cheaper, see helicopter flights.
How many days should I stay?
Both heli hike operators recommend booking early and using your first day for the tour, so a weather delay can be absorbed. One of them suggests a stay of at least two days. Rain is common, see the weather page.
Are the Glacier Hot Pools open?
No. They are closed, so plan without them. The hot pools page has the current picture and ideas for a wet day.
How far is Franz Josef from Queenstown?
A visitor listing gives 351 km and about 4 hours 40 minutes in normal conditions. The road runs over the Haast Pass, and it is worth checking the current road status first. More on the getting there page.
Is this the official Franz Josef website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to DOC, the Westland District Council, Tourism New Zealand or any tour or flight operator.