The Franz Josef Glacier- The World’s Most Accessible Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier

The Franz Josef Glacier is a 12-kilometre-long temperate maritime glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the south island of New Zealand. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 kilometres to the south, and a third glacier, it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park. The Waiho River emerges from the glacier terminal of Franz Josef.

Geography

The snowfield at the head of Franz Josef Glacier is over 2,500 metres above sea level and 20 square kilometres in area. This wide neve (snowfield), which is over 300 metres deep, feeds large amounts of compacted snow into a steep and narrow valley. Franz Josef glaciers valley shares the boundary with a temperate rainforest.

The Glacier currently terminates 19 km from the Tasman Sea. Near the end of the last ice age about 18,000 years ago it extended to the present-day coastline or even beyond. As it retreated the glacier left behind moraines of accumulated rock and chunks of ice which created coastal hills and lakes. Lake Wombat is a kettle lake created by ice left in a moraine 9000 years ago, while Peters Pool close to the glacier’s face arose in the same fashion just 210 years ago. The Waiho Loop 4 km north of the settlement of Franz Josef is the terminal moraine of Franz Josef Glacier, deposited by the retreating glacier about 12,000–3,000 years ago.

West Coast

West Coast is a wild place of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures in New Zealand. It is a region of New Zealand on the west coast of the South Island that is administered by the West Coast Regional Council and is known as Te Tai Poutini. It comprises the Buller District, Grey District and Westland District and the principal towns are Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. The region, one of the more remote areas of the country, is also the most sparsely populated. With a population of just 32,000 people.

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Tourism

Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are the most accessible glaciers in the world. The Franz Josef Glacier and its background of mountains are worth waiting long to see on a clear day. Slipping down from a large snowfield at more than 2438 meters. The glacier is the third-most-visited tourist spot in New Zealand, and one of the main tourist attractions on the West Coast.

Things to do in Franz Josef Glacier

Glacier Heli Hike

Travellers can take a short, thrilling flight over the lush native rainforest, and land on the Franz Josef Glacier. A guide will show the most spectacular ice formations and will lead you through the most awe-inspiring glacier scenery in Aotearoa. The Glacier was explored by local iwi and geologist Julius von Haast in 1865. The glacier is 5 kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 1.5-hour walk will take you to within 750m of its terminal face.

Glacier Heli Ice Climb

Under the expert tuition of our experienced guides, we will introduce you to the exhilarating sport of ice climbing, whilst still enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Glacier. Your guide will tailor the day to challenge novices and experts alike. No experience is necessary.
There’s a range of natural attractions in close proximity to Franz Josef Glacier Village, including rainforests, waterfalls, and lakes. The town has plenty of places to stay and eat or explore the wildlife centre. At nearby Lake Mapourika, you can take a kayak tour or rent a stand-up paddleboard.

Quad Bike Tour

Travellers can also experience the rugged and untamed nature of the majestic Southern Alps by Quad Bike. Take a glimpse of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier and surrounding mountains as you drive along the dirt trails of dense rainforest. The glacier itself is one of the most accessible in the world, able to be viewed for free with a short walk off the main highway. One can also explore the glacier’s landscape on foot with a heli-hike.

See Fox glacier

The nearby glacier Fox Glacier, views of New Zealand’s highest mountain-Aoraki Mount Cook and a short drive to the wild West Coast beaches is a dream destinations for tourists to explore.

How to Reach The Franz Josef Glacier

Located about halfway down the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the Franz Josef Glacier is in the small village of Franz Josef. Due to the remoteness of this part of the country, the overland journey can take quite a long time. The Glacier can accessible from the north, east, and south. Queenstown is 350 km south of Franz Josef. The journey passes through Wanaka, The edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, and along the West Coast through the Haast Pass and Fox Glacier. Daily buses leave Queenstown in the morning and arrive in Franz Josef about 8 hours later.