Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Tours

Experience a Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike as you explore ice caves and other glacial terrain with a professional guide.  Then don provided boots, jacket and ice axe for a guided hike past deep crevasses and towering ice-blue pinnacles before the return chopper ride down. Choose from seasonal departure times to suit your schedule.

Appreciate the majesty and scale of Franz Josef and Fox glaciers from the air during a 30-minute helicopter flight and snow landing. Enjoy aerial views over both glaciers from your prime position in the sky, and hear live commentary from the professional pilot before landing atop either Fox or Franz Josef. Then hop out and focus your camera lens on a glacial scene of frozen icefalls, glowing blue ice fields and plunging crevasses — considered to be among New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.

Explore the landscape around the Franz Josef glacier and New Zealand's rugged West Coast on a 2-hour ATV tour from Franz Josef village. Take in the mountains and rainforest of the Southern Alps as you go offroad and follow paths carved by ancient glaciers paths in the wilderness. Your guide leads you through the rainforest, riverbeds, grasslands, and mud on a thrilling tour that includes use of ATV equipment and wet weather gear.

This 20-minute scenic helicopter flight takes you soaring above Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier with a snow landing at the top — the perfect opportunity to get up close to a glacier in the South Island. You’ll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over towering ice formations before a soft landing in a snowfield. Admire Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak, from the glacial summit.

On this Franz Josef Glacier helicopter tour and hike, land atop the glacier and explore ice caves and pinnacles with a small group. Soar above New Zealand’s Southern Alps during a scenic flight, then grab your crampons and make your way through dramatic ice formations during a moderately difficult hike. After your return flight, rejuvenate with a complimentary blissful soak at Glacier Hot Pools. Numbers are limited to 11 to ensure personalized attention from your expert guide.

Discover the natural wonders of Lake Mapourika on this 4-hour kayaking adventure. Paddle around the lake against a backdrop of the Franz Josef Glacier, head ashore for a hike around the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, and learn more about New Zealand’s famous Kiwi birds.

Lake Mapourika holds great stock of New Zealand Brown Trout and Wild Sea-Run Salmon. The calm waters and scenic views will keep all anglers entertained. Our unique comfortable tour boat makes fishing and excellent activity rain or shine.

Climbing Aoraki Mt Cook offers some of the best views of Te Waipounamu, the South Island, but there’s an easier way to get expansive views across the island - a Tandem Skydive from 9,000 feet (2,500 meters). Instead of spending the better part of a week to gain that altitude, head up with a window seat to enjoy the view in your skydiving plane before getting the best view of the South Island that money can buy.

This short helicopter tour offers the unique opportunity to get close to two of New Zealand’s iconic glaciers, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Fly by some of the region’s many natural wonders, including Mount Tasman, Aoraki Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier, and make the most of incredible photo opportunities. This tour is operated by the only local company with Government permission to land on the snow inside Westland Tai Poutini National Park – you won’t get this chance with anyone else.

Visit both the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier on a single tour from Franz Josef on this flight tour that includes a snow landing. Get up close with the blue ice of these mammoth glaciers and snap unbelievable aerial photos from both the air and the ground level. Learn about the glaciology and environment of the area through your pilot's guided commentary.

Learn about the New Zealand native bird, the kiwi, with admission to the Franz Josef Wildlife Center. Tour the largest kiwi hatching facility on the South Island and opt to include a Backstage Pass Tour, where you'll get 30 minutes of access behind the scenes. Your ticket also includes access to the West Coast storytelling areas and an interactive glacier exhibition. Buy your passes in advance to guarantee your admission to this popular attraction, great for all weather and all times of year.

Explore the serene waters of Lake Mapourika in New Zealand’s glacier country on this kayak adventure from Franz Joseph Glacier. Paddle with your guide out onto Lake Mapourika, widely considered one of western New Zealand’s most scenic spots. Enjoy uninterrupted views as your guide explains the region’s fascinating geology, and marvel at the way the mighty Southern Alps are mirrored perfectly in the calm waters. Head into the estuaries of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, and discover some of the country’s oldest untouched rainforest as native birds sing overhead.

Get aerial views of Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier on this air flight, including a snow landing. Take fantastic photos of the pinnacles and sheer crevasses, then make a snow landing for more shots of you and your party. Multiple departure times throughout the day make for a flexible outing, and you'll learn about the glaciers through your guide/pilot's informative commentary.

See the imposing Southern Alps on an aerial tour with a helicopter landing on the snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier. Your 40-minute helicopter flight soars above the stunning alpine landscapes of the South Island, narrated by the professional pilot. Enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tasman Glacier from above before descending toward the lush rainforests at the edge of the Tasman Sea.

Discover the true beauty of the West Coast in a small personalized cruise on Lake Mapourika. The Jurassic rainforest fringed bays which reflect the surrounding Alps and Glaciers will leave you in awe of its beauty. Explore a kiwi conservation area with your knowledgeable local skipper and enjoy watching curious native birdlife in the surrounding rainforest shoreline. Evening cruises, with a glass of wine (BYO) in the summer time are a wonderful way to end the day.

Step into a haven of tranquility. Nestled among the lush native rain-forest in the heart of Franz Josef, the Glacier Hot Pools provide a truly unique setting for absolute relaxation. The pools are located in the heart of Franz Josef township and are walking distance from most accommodation. Our Private Pools are surrounded by majestic rain-forest and offer total seclusion, naturally. Your Private Pool experience includes private changing facilities with towels and complimentary entry into the Main Pools. After your 45-minute private pool experience, you can shower and change or head out to main pools. Alternatively, you are also welcome to enjoy the main pools before your private booking. The private pools were gifted their names by the local Maori tribe, Te Runanga o Makaawhio: Te Wai Whakahaumanu (reviving waters), Te Wai Whakawai (easing waters) Te Wai Taurima (tending waters). There are spa and massage treatments available onsite as well as a licensed café.

Skydive over Mount Cook (Aoraki) and the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers on this tandem excursion from Franz Josef. Get the best possible views of the area and an adventurous experience in the company of a seasoned instructor. This 3-hour experience departs multiple times a day, allowing for flexibility of scheduling.

Enjoy exclusive access to our private rainforest trail, only accessible by boat! The rainforest trail journeys through a Kiwi Conservation region and some of Westland's oldest untouched rainforest.

Skydive Franz Josef Glacier for a spectacular free fall with views of soaring mountains, ice fields, and the rugged coast. The option to select between tandem jumps from 16,500 or 19,000 feet (5,029 or 5,791 mt.) means you can customize the day to your preferences and budget, and all-digital video and photography will arrive in your inbox within 48 hours so you can share your skydiving experience with friends and family.

Experience the thrill of tandem skydiving from 16,500 feet (5,029 meters) and marvel at expansive views that include Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. An instructor provides training and skydive gear plus round-trip transport from Franz Josef village. You’ll plunge from an aircraft amid the vivid scenery of glaciers, lakes, rivers, and ocean. Choose from multiple departure times.

A paddleboard experience like no other! A comfortable scenic boat ride before an Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure! SUP amongst the giant rainforest trees amidst the Jurassic rainforest of a kiwi conservation area with Glaciers and Alps as your backdrop.