There is really little to do in Franz Josef other than the glacier and even less to do in Fox Glacier (30 kilometres away on a very twisty, turny road). You can also fly over the glaciers (cheaper than helihiking, but still expensive). We spent 3 days in Franz Josef waiting for a break in the weather to get up on the glacier and just made it in on the morning of the day we had to leave. Often they are in clouds or it is raining and you can't get near because of the condition of the roads or the helicopters can't fly. Problem with both glaciers is also the weather. You can helihike on Franz Josef (costly, but highly recommended - you'll be right on the glacier for up to 3 hours, then soak in their hot pools as long as you want after). You can drive reasonably close to both glaciers and then hike a distance to get closer, but you'll still be a good kilometre or so away from the glacier's face when they post signs to go no further (danger, and I'd take their advice - people have died ignoring the warnings). Franz Josef would be my choice of the two. It's a good day's drive from either to the glaciers. Both glaciers are located on the west coast, halfway between Westport in the north and Queenstown in the south. Pack a rain jacket on a rainy day, an extra layer on a cold day and a good hat on a sunny day.Time may be your biggest problem. So, whatever the weather, there’s no reason to stay inside. The deep green rainforest looks almost prehistoric, thriving on the torrential rain. The rainforest comes alive – Shrouded in cloud and mist, the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps look magical with their peaks covered withwhite, wispy clouds. New waterfalls appear from the steep sides of the glacier, and the permanent waterfalls are roaring and cascading, making an impressive sight. Waterfalls with a wow factor – On rainy days, the waterfalls are super-sized. Where there’s rain, there’s snow – When it’s raining in Franz Josef township, it means it’s snowing on the neve (the snowfield that feeds the glacier). There are plenty of positives for exploring the West Coast on a rainy day. That’s a lot of rain, so we try not to let a wet weather day stop us. 3 hours (approx. There’s no avoiding this one! Located in the South Island’s lush Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef Glacier receives 6 – 8 metres of rainfall per year. 218 Reviews Franz Josef / Waiau, New Zealand Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out From 378.27 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. Thinking of visiting Franz Josef in summer? Pack the sunscreen and the sunglasses and get out there! Sundowners – What’s not to like about a few quiet sundowners on the deck on a warm summer’s evening? So, you’ll be able to take off a few layers and enjoy the novelty of walking on ice while wearing a t-shirt. Sun’s out, guns out – Hiking on the ice in a pair of crampons will get the blood flowing. We asked our expert glacier guides again what they liked about the summer months. ![]() You can try rainforest trekking, beach walking, glacier hiking, a trip to Lake Matheson or mountain climbing to name just a few. The area offers a limitless supply of outdoor adventures to be had. In the peak of summer, the sun is shining from 5.30am to 10pm.ĭaytime temperatures range from 12☌ and 25☌, making it perfect weather for exploring. And in the Southern Hemisphere, sunshine hours go a long way. But you may be surprised to hear that the area also receives up to 1,860 sunshine hours annually, making it one of New Zealand’s sunnier destinations. ![]() It’s true that the West Coast receives a lot of rain. ![]() Visiting Franz Josef during the warmer months Thinking of visiting Franz Josef in winter? Put on an extra layer and get out there and enjoy it. The summer months of November to February are the peak tourist season. Winter in New Zealand runs from June to August, and daytime temperatures sit between 5 and a pretty acceptable 15C (41-57F). Quiet days – Visiting in the colder months, you can avoid the crowds on the glacier and around town. Because there is less movement, theamazing ice features of the glacier, like crevasses and ice caves, hang around for longer. You may have to put an extra layer on, but there is less chance that heli trips will be cancelled due to bad weather.Ĭatch the ice features – During the colder months, there is less melt occurring on the glacier, so there is less water flowing under the glacier to make it slide down the mountain. There are more clear days than other times of the year. Reliable weather – The weather is generally more settled in winter. We checked in with a couple of glacier guides to ask them what they like about being on the glacier during winter and here’s what they had to say.
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