Glaciers
In a country full of natural wonders few are as memorable as the glaciers of the Southern Alps, especially those of Fox and Franz Josef. Few people visit New Zealand without experiencing these awesome rivers of ice up close, and for good reason.
Glacier exploration
Exploring the glaciers is a must-do activity for many visitors. Walks to their terminal faces are well laid out and a good way to appreciate the glaciers from below. Many choose to take an aerial sightseeing trip to enjoy the full view from top to bottom. For arguably the best experience the heli-hiking trips are unbeatable - a short flight around the glacier with a landing and then a 2-3 hour guided walk among the seracs, ice caves and ice formations. For the more active, ice-climbing trips are also available.
Franz Josef glacier
The glacier was named in 1865 after the Austrian Emperor, by explorer Julius Haast. The village of Franz Josef lies very close to its terminal face and is a popular base for exploring the area. Guided walks, flights, heli-hiking and ice climbing trips are all on offer and a growing café and restaurant base is proving popular with tourists.
Fox glacier
Named after Prime Minister Sir William Fox in 1872 the Fox glacier has the same spectacular geographic attributes of Franz Josef. However Fox Glacier village is smaller, more rural and has more of an alpine feel to it. It offers the full set of glacier activities - walks, heli-hiking, ice climbing, aerial sightseeing and also a glacier freefall parachute jump for those looking for a unique view.
Lake Matheson
Just outside Fox lies Lake Matheson. Worth a detour for an hour or two to follow the walking trail around the lake and take in the classic Kiwi panorama of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Particularly rewarding in the stillness of the early morning. Has a good café with excellent views.
Tasman Glacier
On the east side of Mount Cook the huge Tasman glacier is less visited but just as spectacular in its own way, despite the ugly brown-grey colour of its lower reaches. Because it flows into a lake it is possible to get a close up view of the terminal face and ice flows on a unique boat trip from Mount Cook village, from where walks to the glacier begin and aerial sightseeing trips also start. If you can afford it then a plane trip with a landing on the upper reaches of the glacier is especially spectacular.