Oceania · Mountain
Franz Josef & the West Coast
Glaciers descending into temperate rainforest, which is genuinely rare.
- Place
- West Coast · New Zealand · NZ
- World region
- Oceania
- Type
- Mountain
- ID
- DST-0113
Why go
Glaciers descending into temperate rainforest, which is genuinely rare.
Franz Josef and Fox glaciers reach unusually low altitude next to rainforest. Heli-hikes are the only way onto the ice and are weather dependent.
Signature experiences
- Glacier heli-hike
- Lake Matheson mirror reflection walk
- Hokitika Gorge
Interest tags
glaciershikingnaturephotographyrainforest
Good for
Adventure travellersPhotographersRoad trippers
Pairs well with
Best months
Dec-Mar
Avoid months
Jun-Aug (heavy rain, closures)
Ideal stay
2 days
Nearest airport
CHC · Christchurch
Pace
Active
Cost tier
Premium
Peak crowd level
Moderate
Country ISO
NZ
