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Glacier in the Southern Alps, New Zealand
Photo: Mjobling, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Fox Glacier village is in "Glacier Country" on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Tucked discreetly into the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, it has a stunning outlook across surrounding farms and offers breathtaking views of New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The tiny township was founded from a gold strike which soon petered out, and it now mostly serves as a base for visitors to its large icy namesake. There's a quiet, intimate village atmosphere compared to the other glacier town, Franz Josef.
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Take the 4.4-km walk around the lake to see the beautiful reflection of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman on its dark waters. The lake was formed during the last Ice Age retreat by Fox Glacier 14,000 years ago. The track is well maintained, and there are boardwalks and specially-made platforms for getting the right angle for your pictures. The best light is at dawn, and it's about 20 minutes to the first lookout (and 20 minutes back if you don't want to walk the whole way) and 40 minutes to a floating pontoon.
Drive down Cook Flat Rd for 10 km west of the township past the Lake Matheson turnoff until it becomes an unsealed road for the best view of the peaks of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. There's a picnic area and a plane table which can be used to identify the different peaks of the Southern Alps.
An 11-km drive down a twisting unsealed road through a rimu rainforest leads to a camping area. From here, walk a bit more and you'll find yourself on a black sand/quartz pebble beach on the Tasman Sea. Near the beach entrance is the rusted and overgrown historic gold dredge, remnants of an old mining settlement. Several kilometres up the beach you can visit a seal colony on Galway Beach, which is a three-hour round-trip walk. Be warned, the number of sandflies here is ridiculously high at the beach, so don't forget to bring insect repellent!
It's roughly a 1- to 2-hour round-trip trek to the glacier. The track can be cumbersome in places, requiring balance to scramble down slick rocks and across small streams, but still easy enough for inexperienced trampers. Unlike Franz Josef, the glacier will not be in sight for some parts of the walk, but you can get much closer to it. Do not proceed past the barriers at the terminal face of the glacier, as the area is extremely dangerous. Two tourists were killed by falling ice after they crossed the barriers in 2009. If you want to step onto the ice, take a guided walk. As of Apr 2019, the Fox Glacier access road (north road of Fox River) is closed due to landslide. Glacier View Road (south road of Fox River) is also closed to vehicles but you can walk on the road.
The most experienced New Zealand glacier guiding company, offering guided trips onto the glacier. There's the Fox Trot: half-day walk, Flying Fox: heli-hike, Nimble Fox: all-day walk, Fox Trail: Terminal Face walk, Fox It Up: ice-climbing adventure, Chancellor Dome day and overnight heli-treks. The heli-hikes have limited spaces, so booking beforehand could guarantee a spot.
Flights last for 20-40 minutes, from a simple fly-around and glacier landings, to an extended flight for a closer look at Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and a loop towards Franz Josef Glacier.
Take a tandem jump. This is probably the best place in New Zealand to skydive thanks to its amazing scenery.
6 to 8-hr tramp one way to the Welcome Flat hot pools. Transport available with Intercity.
1 hour 15 minute round-trip with a stream crossing to find a beautiful lookout point over the glacier.
A 20-min round trip through the rainforest on the outskirts of town. Take a torch at night to see glow-worms in the tree trunks and along the banks of the stream.
Tramp over moraine surface into native bush for a 40-min round trip.
8-hr round trip on a steep marked route through to alpine grasslands that afford views of the mountains, glacier, and the coastline.
River Walk
Walk down to the valley before crossing a historic swing bridge that spans Fox River. 40 min return.
One of the cheaper eateries in Fox Glacier. Has pizzas as daily specials.
Decorated as a rustic cabin with old antiques and paraphernalia, and even a fireplace. Serves both lunch and dinner indoors or out. Family friendly and full of local history.
A convenient stop before early morning guided hikes. Serves breakfast and lunch daily. Offer a range of homemade deli style food.
A pricier option, but the food is pretty good. Quite busy for dinner.
Coffee, and during the busy season, breakfast; dinner is on blackboard menus and change to suit seasonal ingredients. Deli style sandwiches, cakes, pies, cookies and salads with all products made on site. Great views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
Fresh and smoked salmon in a variety of dishes like sashimi and pasta. Not really value-for-money, but it's the only stop to eat for the two-hour journey between Fox Glacier and Haast. Check out the salmon ponds at the side.
Free WiFi, free parking, onsite restaurant & bar.
14-room lodge, campsites, powered campervan sites, and bunkhouse cabins are available.
In the winter, rooms are freezing cold; they do not have adequate heaters.
0.5 km from the village, this homestay offers three bedrooms and a continental breakfast.
2 minutes from the town centre, this homestay offers two bedrooms with shared bathroom and a special cooked breakfast. Your host Billy is a seasoned bushman and offers educational walks in the evenings.
3 minutes drive from town's centre, this is a lovely homestay with inviting hosts. The gardens and views are beautiful. There is a choice of ensuite units or rooms inside the main house (with and without ensuite). Breakfast is provided, dinner by arrangement.
21 rooms with beautiful ensuites and balconies. Guest lounge, internet, library, lift, undercover parking. Breakfasts included.
8 ensuite rooms. Some rooms with kitchens, double spa baths & gas fire places. B&B Lodge rooms include continental selection breakfast. Also Fox Glacier Campervan Park: 24 powered campervan sites. Showers, toilets, kitchen & coin operated laundry. Fresh drinking water & dump station. Free BBQ in sheltered BBQ area & picnic tables for guest use. 1-min stroll to all cafes/shops, etc.
54 rooms with bathrooms.
Free WiFi, free parking, modern rooms, onsite restaurant.
16 en suite rooms, 12 basic share rooms.
Motel, backpackers and van sites.
25 motel units opened in November 2003.
Queen and King motel units.
See under "Inns and Lodges" above.
In the Fox Glacier Guiding Building on the Main Rd, offers a range of gifts and souvenirs.
Gifts, clothing and souvenirs.
Contemporary merchandise with a New Zealand flavour: jewellery, designer merino garments, greenstone & souvenirs, New Zealand artwork & photos. Overseas shipping available. Friendly, efficient service.
Drive on State Highway 6. The drive from Franz Josef is about 30 minutes.
Read in the guideThe village is small and all accommodation is within walking distance of the centre.
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