Chasing Waterfalls. Just remember to take extra precaution during inclement weather. Hokitika is a good option for lunch or coffee while the small former gold mining town of Ross provides an excellent chance to try your hand at gold panning. Thanks to a relatively mild and temperate climate, Franz Josef Glacier is relatively accessible all year long. Whether you self-drive, take a bus or shuttle, or take the combined train-bus service, you'll first have to cross Arthur's Pass to get to Greymouth, and then head south to Franz Josef. If you’re like me and love waterfalls, Franz Josef is the place to be. From glacier valley walks to glacier hikes and scenic helicopter rides, seeing these natural wonders is easily done on your terms. See the glacier while you can, as its unfortunately loosing on size every day. To continue to Franz Josef, you'll need to spend the night in Greymouth and then catch a bus the following day. The road south goes through Greymouth (the largest town on the West Coast) and Hokitika, both of which are also popular places for travelers to stop. We’ve been to Franz Josef several times but there are a few other activities we have yet to do. From Queenstown take SH 6 the whole way. Franz Josef Glacier is a must do/see attraction on the west side and coastal line of the Southern Island. I'd say it was the W...", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in February, 2020, "Had a great experience with KimKim and Eloise who booked our travel for our honeymoon in New Zealand. Castle Hill is two hours from Christchurch and is worth a stop to explore the incredible ancient limstone rock formations that can be seen from the road. Combine your Franz Josef Glacier flight with a hotel and/or car rental for a package deal designed to save you even more money! The Haast Pass, connecting Central Otago with the West Coast, is one of the more challenging but also beautiful roads in New Zealand. If you find yourself staying in the small town of Franz … Allow five hours for the journey by road with some extra time for stops along the way. The weather can change at any time. The walk is a 1.5 hour walking trail that takes you to the base of the glacier. Contact. This is a reasonably quick and very easy route along SH 6 taking just two and a half hours by road. However, you can take the bus to Stop D International Terminal, take the walk to Auckland airport, fly to Hokitika, take the walk to … Floods have been known to cut Franz Josef off, and roads are also commonly closed due to snow in the mountains, especially at Arthur's Pass. They start close to the the towns, so the flight are short an they can do many in a day. See the glacier while you can, as its unfortunately loosing on size every day. But once you get a hang of it and understand the terrain you’re dealing with, you’re set. Our local travel specialists have been recommended by, "I wrote to Kim Kim re cycling in NZ having some ideas of what we wanted (and what we did not want). The weather didn't look good though so I had little hope at that point. Book your tickets online for Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef: See 3,555 reviews, articles, and 2,483 photos of Franz Josef Glacier, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 19 attractions in Franz Josef. From the town, drive south on Highway 6 until you cross the long one-way bridge, then turn left… Head south (towards Fox Glacier) and just after you cross the one way bridge, turn left down the road. Take fantastic photos of the pinnacles and sheer crevasses, then make a snow landing for more shots of you and your party. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. It's also possible to get a long-distance bus from Nelson and Greymouth to Franz Josef. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are located roughly 23km apart on the western coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The road is mountainous in places, and coastal in others, with many places to stop and enjoy the views. That way, you can do both Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier with no stress. Kimkim organized our self drive 16 day trip of South Island. Franz Josef Glacier is just five kilometres from the village. Location. Road to Franz Josef Glacier, River Waiho bridge. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. During the hike, you pass several waterfalls and small streams that only add to the experience. HOW TO GET TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER. The distance from the village to the glacier car park is 5 km and from the car park you need to walk something like 4 km… Follow SH 73 from Christchurch through to Kumara Junction, turn left at Kumara Junction and follow SH 6 through to Franz Josef Glacier. Why: Franz Josef Glacier perhaps owes its worldwide fame to the heli-hike tours that operate there. Just more of a reason to continually make efforts to preserve our environment and areas like these. Then there is the rough terrain of boulders & scree. 4.0 If it’s your first time attempting such walks, I think it would be useful to go with a guide. Franz Josef is 285 miles (460 kms) from Nelson, the largest city in the northern South Island. Franz Josef Glacier is a must do/see attraction on the west side and coastal line of the Southern Island. Getting to Franz Josef The Glacier Hot Pools is a relaxing natural sanctuary located just 2 hours drive from Greymouth, 6 hours drive from Christchurch and 5 hours drive from Queenstown. Traveling from Nelson to Franz Josef by bus takes about 10 hours, whereas from Greymouth it takes about 3.5. Here's how to get to Franz Josef Glacier from the north, east, and south. The road is in pretty good condition, but there are many sharp, blind corners, so take care. When to Visit Franz Josef Glacier . You'll meet the West Coast and SH 6 at Kumara Junction, just south of Greymouth. This is a pretty easy hike to the beautiful Franz Josef Glacier. Landings are at around 2100m (7000ft). Traveling from Nelson to Franz Josef by bus takes about 10 hours, whereas from Greymouth it takes about 3.5… The walk starts from the Franz Josef Glacier walk carpark located only 5 minutes by car from the town of Franz Josef. At Arthur's Pass it travels through an underground tunnel rather than over the mountain, as the road does, but the views elsewhere are equally impressive. There is no direct connection from Auckland to Franz Josef Glacier. The journey passes through Wanaka, skirts the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, and along the West Coast through the Haast Pass and Fox Glacier. Use us as your stop travel destination and have the confidence that you're getting a bargain! Fox is the easier of the two glaciers to walk up to. Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) was explored by local iwi and in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor.The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 1.5 hour walk will take you to within 750m of its terminal face. Turn left after the bridge on to the Franz Josef Glacier Access Road. Morning: Glaciers Galore It is walkable from all the main lodgings in the township, but driving / cycling or hitching a lift is recommended, so you can concentrate your hiking … Location. Get up close to the touch snow or ice, admire glaciers as they carve their way slowly down the frozen valleys, look for wildlife, and relax in hot springs. From Greymouth, the bus continues to Fox Glacier, south of Franz Josef, but you can request to get off at Franz Josef. From Franz Josef township drive south over the Waiho River bridge. Please take care, keep left, and keep your speed down. Otherwise, you have a few other options. Getting to Franz Josef Glacier on Foot. Book tickets in advance. Franz 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. The Glacier Valley Walk by Franz Josef Guides was informative and gave us the confidence to do our own walk to Fox Glacier the next day. Make sure you take the chance to see while you can! You can take a bus from Picton to Franz Josef Glacier via Nelson, Greymouth, and Franz Josef YHA in around 13h 52m. The carpark … Everything was so well organised and our trip flowed seamlessly. The cheapest way to see the glacier is to do the Franz Josef Glacier walk. How to Get There. Towering peaks, crevasse-filled glaciers, and sparkling waterways define the World Heritage area around the town of Franz Josef. You can’t get that close to the glacier face anymore because it’s receded too far. How to get to Franz Josef Glacier Driving to Franz Josef Glacier. Lot of walking involved and if quite unfit like us you think will you ever get there. If you’ve booked tours, your transportation is usually included. I especially enjoyed City Lights and Kamana Lake Hotel. The Franz Josef Glacier is 12 km long and terminates only 19 km from the Tasman Sea. Franz Josef Glacier. It is well … At the start, we came across plenty of interesting trees. Follow SH 6 through Hokitika and keep going south until you reach Franz Josef. If you want to actually make contact with the glacier, take a heli-hike or a guided ice walk. Find all the transport options for your trip from Timaru to Franz Josef Glacier … Discover additional savings by booking in advance or find a last minute deal. Getting there Franz 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 … By Air: The closest airport to Franz Josef is Hokitika Airport. The start of the Franz Josef Glacier walk is located just south of the Franz Josef township. Contact. This is one of New Zealand's iconic road trip routes, taking approximately five hours by road plus breaks. Daily buses leave Queenstown in the morning and arrive in Franz Josef about eight hours later. Queenstown to Franz Josef This is one of New Zealand's iconic road trip routes, taking approximately five hours by road plus breaks. From here, your highly trained guide will take you to the heli pad and get you ready to board your helicopter. Many travelers to New Zealand like to rent their own car, as this allows them to reach some of the more isolated attractions. From Franz Josef township drive south over the Waiho River bridge. It was perfect from sta...", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in January, 2020, "Great trip. The Nelson area is popular with travelers, and many continue south afterwards to Franz Josef. Even on a grey day with low cloud Franz Josef Glacier was an amazing, almost surreal, experience! You can’t get that … Take State Highway (SH) 6 from both towns. The numerous ac... Read all 3,550 reviews. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. That said, during the summer months, which run from late December to late March, the crowds on the glacier can get quite large at times. If driving directly from Nelson, the journey to Franz Josef takes about six hours. A few bus and shuttle bus companies follow almost the same route as noted above. On arrival the friendly team will check you in, get you kitted out with the essential gear and give you a pre-trip briefing. Driving to Franz Josef Glacier Township. The lakes at both Wanaka and Hawea are excellent stops for photo opportunities and there are a number of excellent short walks including the Blue Pools just past Makarora, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy. The Waiho River is a glacial fed river from the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. It's really a shame how much of the glacier has receded since 2008 (when it entered a rapid phase of retreat). While the distance between Christchurch, on the east coast of the South Island, and Franz Josef doesn't look so far, there are some rather big mountains in between. The Waiho River is a glacial fed river from the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. Franz Josef Glacier is a must do/see attraction on the west side and coastal line of the Southern Island. ; Its about a four and a half hour trip from Wanaka. See the glacier while you can, as its unfortunately loosing on size every day. With very few people living in the area, you should expect limited services on route to Franz Josef Glacier. Follow SH 6 from Queenstown, through Wanaka and Hawea to Haast all the way up to Franz Josef Glacier - you will be rewarded with some incredible scenery along the way. Book it on Get Your Guide. Contact. If you're driving, you can reach Franz Josef Glacier Township from the north or south by following State Highway 6. To get to Franz Josef Glacier you can either walk or drive from Franz Josef Glacier Village. COVID-19 Update: We are currently running with limited capacity, therefore we recommend booking in advance where possible. Walking to the glacier is over rough and uneven ground and can involve crossing streams. Follow SH 6 from Queenstown, through Wanaka and Hawea to Haast … After you’ve finished your walk, why not relax in the main hot pools at It is about a thirty minute trip from Fox Glacier. That said, during the summer months, which run from late December to late March, the crowds on the glacier can get … Emiline created an amazing tr...", "Thanks so much to Valentin for planning our amazing trip. This road has an unsealed surface but is suitable for cars, … So here are our top 7 things to do! Franz Josef Glacier Guides gives you the opportunity to experience the most spectacular glacier environment available to the general public. Don't walk (see our must-know tips below)! Queenstown is 217 miles (350 kms) south of Franz Josef. As a seasoned traveler, I usually book my own travel, h...", "South Island, New Zealand 16 days 19 January through 03 February, 2020. Callery Gorge Walk. Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike What: A helicopter takes you up to the top of the glacier and you’re treated to a guided tour of its otherworldly crevasses. Location. Fox Glacier. When to Visit Franz Josef Glacier . Ice Climbing the Franz Josef Glacier with Ice Explorer (Success!) These leave once a day, and although they take much longer than driving, you can enjoy the views without worrying about watching the road. Franz Josef and Fox glacier both provide an array of activities for all levels. The distance from the village to the glacier car park is 5 km and from the car park you need to walk something like 4 km. The main road to get there is Highway 6, which becomes a long single-lane bridge when it crosses the river. Our guide would … The Franz Josef glacier is approx 5km away from town. There’s no helicopter trip and no ice time on this Franz Josef Glacier hike but you’ll get an informative and interpretive walk with an expert guide. Our trip incorporated everything w...", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in June, 2019, "We traveled a lot and It was our first time to try a self guided tour. By Car: Franz Josef is well-connected to the major cities in New Zealand and can easily be reached by car from places like Christchurch, Wanaka, Fox Glacier… Even on a grey day with low cloud Franz Josef Glacier was an amazing, almost surreal, experience! Because it’s a steep, narrow glacier, Franz Josef offers a stunning display of crevasses, caves and blue ice. Here’s how to make the most of a 1-day visit to Franz Josef. Enjoy a full day exploring the alpine wonderland of Franz Josef, New Zealand. Turn left after the bridge on to the Franz Josef Glacier Access Road. If you want to hike amongst these jaw-dropping sights, you need to get a good way up the glacier, and a helicopter transfer is a perfect way to deliver you to the very best bits of the glacier. Other Franz Josef Activities. The journey from Queenstown takes about five hours, not including photo stops (of which you'll probably want to take many!). Explore New Zealand’s Iconic Glaciers Whether you want to take a heli flight to the top of the glacier and walk around, or just want to see where the glacier … From Greymouth, the bus continues to Fox Glacier, south of Franz Josef, but you can request to get off at Franz Josef. At this point, I had no idea how long it would take me to walk to the glacier … Full view. If I were to pick out the best highlight (which is hard because everything was awesome!) Whether you hover over ice formations in a helicopter or strap on crampons for a hike, a trip to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers is truly unforgettable. The township of Franz Josef also boasts an array of accommodation and places to grab a bite to eat, setting up the perfect stay for your Franz Josef adventure. The walk to the glacier is … Train tickets should always be bought as far in advance as possible, as this is a very popular journey. Thanks to a relatively mild and temperate climate, Franz Josef Glacier is relatively accessible all year long. Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere is a 12 km (7.5 mi) long temperate maritime glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km (12 mi) to the south, and a third glacier, it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level. The Franz Josef Glacier walk is an amazing short hike. The walk to Franz Josef glacier takes approximately 1hour 30mins from the car park to the glacier and back, it is mainly easy flat walking track, but does have some steeper slopes close to the furthest glacier veiw point, as well as a small weather dependant stream crossing. The main road to get there is Highway 6, which becomes a long single-lane bridge when it crosses the river. The drive is very picturesque and a great chance to experience some of the most impressive landscapes in the region. From Greymouth, it takes about 2.5 hours. The fli...", "Valentine created an awesome itinerary for us! From Nelson, you'll need to change buses in Greymouth. To get to Franz Josef Glacier you can either walk or drive from Franz Josef Glacier Village. The hike takes you through some breathtaking landscapes and offers great views of the surrounding area. You'll need to change buses (and probably providers, too) at Greymouth, so the trip takes longer than self-driving. Due to its isolation on the West Coast of New Zealand, travelling to Franz Josef can take a considerable amount of time. It leaves Christchurch early in the morning, and arrives in Greymouth about five hours later. Your journey starts and ends at The Helicopter Line Base, situated on the Main Road (State Highway 6), Franz Josef Glacier, 7856. The access road and tracks can be closed due to rock falls or flooded rivers, and glacier viewpoints may be hundreds of metres from the face of the glacier. Arthurs' Pass village is a good place for a coffee and snack break, and Hokitika on the West Coast has a range of eateries, shops and activities available. Full view. From there, you have to get on a bus or hire a taxi to reach Franz Josef. Compare Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Glacier. There are tons of ways to save on your flights to Franz Josef Glacier with Expedia.com. Strolling along the banks of the Waiho, with Franz Josef Glacier clearly in sight and surrounding snowcapped peaks, this easy walk is a must-do if you are on tight schedule. At Franz Josef the 'valley walk' is 3 hours long, goes twice a day and costs NZ$65.00. You'll find us … ; It is about a three hour trip from Greymouth. The walk to the glacier is through rainforest which makes it pretty unique in that aspect alone. Price: The activity is not cheap as it comes to about $459 New Zealand Dollars. Rome2rio makes travelling from Timaru to Franz Josef Glacier easy. Yes, yes – we chose a helicopter flight with a glacier … How to Get Around Franz Josef. It's also important to check weather and road conditions before starting out on your journey. Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere is a 12 km long temperate maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. No trip is ever the same; a walking tour will cover the glacier’s history, its retreat, the Maori legends as well as loads more. Get aerial views of Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier on this air flight, including a snow landing. The numerous ac... Read all 3,554 reviews. The van took us from the Franz Josef Glacier’s office to the carpark of the Franz Josef Glacier walk start point. This road has an unsealed surface but is suitable for cars, campervans and buses. Both Fox and Franz Josef are famous for their helicopter flights and landings on the glaciers. Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. It mainly follows the same route as above, but takes a slightly longer route via Cromwell, near Queenstown. Valentin responded immediately and through some correspon...", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in March, 2020, "Thanks to Eloise for planning our wonderful trip thru New Zealand. You don’t get to touch any ice, but you … There’s actually no public bus system or taxi companies. To Fox Glacier it's a 30 minutes drive or you may book a heli tour which covers Franz Josef … Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand . The numerous ac... Read all 3,551 reviews. ", Traveled to New Zealand solo in January, 2020, " what was planned by Eloise our guide, was brilliantly put together. The TranzAlpine Christchurch to Greymouth train is considered by some to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, and it's certainly one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. The journey should take around 5 hours. At Fox glacier the trip is 2 hours, costs NZ$45.00 and they go once a day. I went to their office and bought the tour for 325 NZD. Be sure to do this walk early as it gets very busy later throughout the day. So here are our top 7 things to do! Lot of walking involved and if quite unfit like us you think will you ever get there. Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand . Take water and a few snacks as it is a looong walk! Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip. Checking out the Franz Josef Glacier on the Valley Walk. The Franz Josef Glacier valley is a hazardous environment. Franz Josef is more than a glacier – it’s a destination with a pulsing heartbeat, loaded with activities. The highlight of our trip was staying at the Matuka Lodge in Twizel(Mount Cook). We decided to see it from a slightly different perspective… from the above and really close. You will be pressed for time with the range of activities on offer - hiking, kayaking, hot pools and of course the majestic Kā Roimata-a-Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier), just to name a few! Fox Glacier is a 13 kilometer long (8.1 mi) glacier, the longest of New Zealand’s West Coast glaciers, located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km to the south, and a third glacier, it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 m above sea level. It’s an amazing experience since we have our time and choices to maneuver which place...", Traveled to New Zealand as a group in April, 2019, How to Get from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, How to Get from Wellington to Tongariro National Park, How to Get from Christchurch to Mount Cook Village. In recent years, the Franz Josef Glacier has entered a retreating period. Full view. You can get to the Franz Josef Glacier car park from almost all nearby hotels within a 10-12 minutes drive. Once you have reached our boutique town, you will find it's filled with multiple accommodation providers to suit all. Head south (towards Fox Glacier) and just after you cross the one way bridge, turn left down the road. Price: The activity is not cheap as it comes to about $459 New Zealand Dollars. We offer a range of glacier hiking tours and experiences that will get you up close to the ice. Franz Josef, West Coast By Tourism New Zealand Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) was explored by local iwi and in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian … You will be able to see the mountains of the Southern Alps, with the giant glaciers. I am going … Franz Josef Glacier access road and Carpark From road 6, it is also a short drive to the Franz Josef Glacier carpark (3.6km) The drive has some narrow section but is quite easy. Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike What: A helicopter takes you up to the top of the glacier and you’re treated to a guided tour of its otherworldly crevasses.