Trip Planner:
South Pacific
/
New Zealand
/
South Island
/
West Coast Region
/
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
/
Franz Josef
/
Franz Josef Glacier
Explore one of New Zealand's natural gems with a trek or helicopter ride at Franz Josef Glacier, part of a national park and World Heritage Site. The country's native inhabitants called this 12 km (7.5 mi) glacier "Tears of the Avalanche Girl," believing a young girl's tears over a lost lover froze into the massive sheet of ice. Europeans first investigated the site in the 1860s, when explorer Julius Haast named it after the Austrian emperor. An ideal spot for an outdoor New Zealand adventure, the glacier offers a range of hiking tours suitable for all levels of ability and fitness. To see the glacier from the air, consider a helicopter tour over the frozen mountain landscape. Check the website for deals on tour packages. Add Franz Josef Glacier to your Franz Josef travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Franz Josef online holiday planner.
Create an itinerary including Franz Josef Glacier
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Franz Josef Glacier reviews
-
Reasonable walk through the rainforest to the viewing area was at a distance and quite adequate but not as beautiful as in Alaska. more »
-
It’s on the middle of nowhere it seems but is worth staying a night . See the glacier, do a rainforest walk. It’s all free Take a private pool in the local spa pool complex (for about $80) as you... more »
-
Great! Nice walk, please take appropriate shoes, and protect the nature.
-
One of the better areas of earth.
-
Build a trip
Tell us where and when you
want to go, we will build
the best sightseeing itinerary -
Refine it
You have complete flexibility on your destinations and itinerary -
Book as a package
Use our travel agents to get
package savings and hassle free booking -
Enjoy your trip!
Enjoy our 24x7
on-trip assistance
Popular things to do in Franz Josef
Side trips from Franz Josef
Hidden gems in Franz Josef
Nearby attractions in Franz Josef
Trails in Franz Josef
Nature in Franz Josef
Trips to Franz Josef Glacier by other users
14 days in New Zealand
BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND
Taupo
Rotorua
Waitomo Caves
20 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND
Fox Glacier
Queenstown
Te Anau
10 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Queenstown
Te Anau
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
15 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Queenstown
Te Anau
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
31 days in New Zealand
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Queenstown
Te Anau
Wanaka
30 days in New Zealand
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Auckland
Paihia
Cape Reinga
