15 Things To Do in Franz Josef Glacier 2025

Things To Do in Franz Josef Glacier

Soak in the Glaciers Hot Pools, Tandem Skydiving, Quad Biking, Glacier Heli-hike, Hike to Franz Josef, Kiwi birds at West Coast, Kayak on Lake Mapourika, Visit Okarito Lagoon and many more.

If you are an adventure-freak or want to witness the wonders of the world in close proximity, then a journey to the majestic Franz Josef Glacier is a must during your New Zealand tour. There are several Franz Josef Glacier things to do like hitting that tiny scenic town lined with lush tropical rainforest and a magnanimous névé channel that traverses up to the magnificent Glacier.

When in Franz Josef Glacier, be ready to traverse the wilderness of this extraordinary nature. Things to do in Franz Josef glacier are many starting from the most exciting and thrilling activity that is Skydiving. If you want to see the glacier up close then an iceberg Heli-hiking adventure is perfect for you. Other adventurous activities you try include kayaking as well as rock climbing. For a more relaxed experience, you can go on exploring the magnificent West Coast Wildlife Centre. The activities are endless and you will not be disappointed by means.

Here is the list of best things to do in Franz Josef Glacier:

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Explore All (34)

01

Hike to Franz Josef

Franz Josef Glacier is majestic, and what's better to appreciate the prominence than by hiking through a breath-taking Franz Josef Glacier Valley to a position before the Franz Josef terminus face. Say that you have reached over to the destination but do not know what to do. No worries, because with Franz Josef Glacier things to do, you won't miss out on a hint of adventure.

The 1h30mins return trail emphasizes the rich Trident Falls. This trail is a beautiful walk in any climate. The three waterfalls on the right (as you lead up the berg valley) are exceptional for a shower/dip on a hot sunny day.

We recommend you to do it on the trail back once you go up a sweat. You'll be dry by the moment you step back to your vehicle.

Location: Glacier Access Road | Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand

Timing: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

02

Check out the Glow Worms at Tatare Tunnels Walk

If you’re looking to leave the city noise behind and get lost in nature, then a hike through the Tatare Tunnels Walk is for you. Explore the 20th-century tunnel filled with glow worms that light up the dim cave and transport you to a different world. The scenic hike is a must-do activity for anyone who loves science and nature.

As you go deep inside the tunnel to darker areas, you will be able to spot much brighter glow worms. Make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes as there are steep climbs at the initial stage. Also, carry a flashlight to easily navigate the darker areas of the tunnel.

Location: 21 Cowan Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

03

Scenic Ride in A Helicopter Over The Glacier

Image Credit : Glacierhelicopters.co.nz

Franz Josef Glacier gives various marvelous ‘ice designs’ of any Glacier around the globe. The Glacier was in a position of accommodation until 2008 when it started running. It is presently accessible by helicopter due to a dramatic breakdown of the terminal face in 2012.

Hover over the Franz Josef Glacier and dock on a screened glacial mass with dedicated Glacier Helicopters. Or get the "grand trip" on a forty-minute flight throughout Aoraki Mt Cook, Franz Josef, and Fox Glacier. You can contemplate upon natural scenery carved by icebergs on spectacular helicopter aviation.

Location: Main South Road, Franz Josef Glacier 7856, New Zealand.

Timing: The Helicopter Line West Coastworks between 9 am-3 pm (daily)

Price: NZ$367.31

04

Soak in the Glaciers Hot Pools

How about a day off with a warm and comforting dip in the lovely glacier hot pools. The hot pools are snuggled in the dense rainforest area. The Franz Josef glacier hot pools are a refuge of natural hush. These pools are the absolute way to unwind after those adrenaline-rushed adventurous trips.

It is really cold out on the glaciers, and a warm and calm dip in the pool complements your idea of an accomplished trip. You do get multiple options to choose from as a private pool, the main pool, and relaxing amongst the rainforest.

Location: 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

Timing: Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools' working hours are 2 pm-8:30 pm (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)

Price: NZ$29 for Adult Single Entry &NZ$99 for private pool for two people.

05

Do Quad Biking

Image Credit : facebook.com/AcrossCountryQuadBikes

You can explore valleys, the beautiful streambeds, and the lush rainforest port to watch the Franz Josef Glacier on an exhilarating tour with the Quad Bikes. This 2-hour adventure holds you off-roading on all sorts of territory.

There are quantities of things to do in Franz Josef glacier, and one of them is thrilling quad biking. From rivers to grasslands, you can roll anywhere with those bikes. You will get driving tips and a time to train yourself on those quad bikes with your guide.

Location: 30 Main Road, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

Timing: Across Country Quad Bikes is open from 9am- 4 pm (Seven days a week)

Price: NZ$180

06

Try Tandem Skydiving

Image Credit : skydivefranz.co.nz

There are many things to do in Franz Josef glacier. It is a heaven for all adventure-freaks and Tandem skydiving comes first on that list. Tandem skydiving is the most active, elementary, and cherished way for an amateur skydiver to encounter the excitement of diving out of a plane.

You can freely fall through the sky at 120mph and glide securely to the ground under a parachute. The system involves a harness and chute arrangement for both the rider and the instructor to share on.

Location: Franz Josef Glacier Base, 69 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

Timings: Skydive Franz Opens at 8:00 am

Price: NZ$289

07

Experience Glacier Heli-hike

You can now traverse the ice mountain itself on an iceberg Heli-hiking adventure. Seeing a glacier is not an everyday thing for most people around; hence when you manage a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier, a Heli-hike is a must in your itinerary.

You will dock on Franz Josef Glacier, ready after an exciting concise flight over rugged terrain, for a two-hour escorted hike. With a taste for the most thrilling ice structures, your guide will guide you into some of the most exceptional glacier scenery the place has to offer. The trip is exceptional and unique because it ticks off two major New Zealand exercises in this journey. Spectacular helicopter aviation and a magnificent glacier journey!

Location: Main South Road, Franz Josef / Waiau 7856, New Zealand

Timing: The Helicopter Line Franz Josef Heli Hikeis open from8 am- 6 pm (Seven days a week)

Price: NZ$485/person

08

Visit Te Koha Gallery

Image Credit : facebook.com/tekohagallery

One of the top things to do in Franz Josef Glacier for all those who love interactive activities is to visit the Te Koha Gallery. The gallery is run by a family in Franz Josef providing a unique experience to the public and items to shop from their store.

They provide a workshop where you can learn to carve your jewelry pieces from the native greenstone called pounamu which is locally sourced from the West Coast riverbeds. You can choose your selection of stone to carve your jewelry and will be guided by experts throughout the process.

Location: 69 Waiho Flat Road, Franz Josef Glacier, 7886, New Zealand

Timings: 8:30 AM to 9 PM (Daily)

Price: 75 NZD

09

Spot Kiwi Birds at West Coast Wildlife Centre

Image Credit : facebook.com/WestCoastWildLifeCentre

What if you want a day off and experience something tranquil? Are you in the desire to see some cute little birds and connect to mother nature? As you know that there are great things to do in Franz Josef glacier, but every other activity is an adrenaline rush activity.

The absolute rainy-day venture in Franz Josef, the West Coast Wildlife Centre is the South Island's most comprehensive kiwi hatching department. It is your prospect to see New Zealand's nationwide icon up-close.

Since Kiwis are night-loving, so their rooms are in semi-darkness, it'll take you few minutes for our eyes to adapt to the darkness. But then you could see them moving around. The visitor center is meriting with a great shop and cafe.

Location: Cnr crown and, Cowan Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

Timing: West Coast Wildlife Centre is open from 9 am to 5 pm (7 days a week)

Price: NZ$34.88/hr

10

Drink coffee at Full of Beans

Grabbing a hot cup of joy at Full Of Beans cafe is one of the best things to do in Franz Josef Glacier. The cafe is situated on Main Road and is mostly filled with locals and tourists looking to sip on some hot coffee. They serve amazing breakfast, lunch, and dinner items along with delicious drinks that are a crowd favorite.

Despite being crammed during most of the day, the staff is super friendly and offers plenty of seating both inside and outside the cafe to accommodate their guests. Although, do expect to wait as it could take a while to grab your seats due to its popularity.

Location: 29 Main Road, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand

Timings: 7:30 AM to 9 PM (Daily)

11

Kayak on Lake Mapourika

Image Credit : facebook.com/lakemapourika

You can also look out for wildlife like eels and go with your guide down secluded creeks while listening to local Maori legends. You can now cruise on the reflective waters of Lake Mapourika. How exciting will it be to get on a kayaking tour with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours! You do not need any prior knowledge for this trip, as you float across the lake with comfort on this tranquil lake encompassed by rich rainforest.

You will smoothly glide your kayaks into a shallow bay, which weaves through the woods and deep into the kiwi sanctuary. As you speedily float on the waters, indigenous birds come scooting. The reflective waters will show some 900-year-old kahikatea trees.

Location: Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand

Timing: Sunrise Safari is open from 7:30 am – 10:30 am (7 days a week)

Price: NZ$125/person

12

Visit Okarito Lagoon

You get to observe the occasional wildlife like the white heron and royal spoonbill on the Okarito Lagoon banks and simultaneously the Okarito walking paths. It stores a series of plant types from mature rimu forest through m?nuka scrub to saline water that has remained lost in much of the rest of the West Coast.

You can choose the Okarito Trig Walk for panoramic views of the lagoon and glaciers or experience the coastal scenes and wildlife along the Okarito Coastal Walk.

Location: 31 Wharf Street, West Coast, Okarito 7886, New Zealand

Timing: Okarito Boat Tours' working-hours are from 7:30 am-5 pm (7 days a week)

Price: NZ$95 for 2 hours

13

Catch some Brown Trout & Salmon at Lake Mapourika

You can experience fishing with your equipment or follow a local angler who will classify all the logistics and things out for you. Lake Mapourika is a breeding ground for salmon and brown trout fishing.

The lake is positioned 10 km northbound of Franz Joseph in one of the most gorgeous picturesque parts of the country. The salmon fishing is unsteady but there is an abundance of trout over there.

Location: Lake Mapourika Recreational Area, Waiho 7886, New Zealand

Timing: Franz Josef Wilderness Tours works from 9 am-5 pm (daily)

Price: NZ$160

14

Visit the White Heron Colony at Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve

Observe the natural breeding colony of New Zealand’s white herons at the Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve. Located in the South Westland of New Zealand, the nature reserve offers guided tours with prior permits granted by the Department of Conservation. Learn about the majestic white herons while you observe these birds resting in their nests.

The guided tour will offer you detailed information about the reserve, as well as the white heron colony and how they breed. It is a great hiking activity that also gives you an educational experience which makes it a perfect family outing to bring kids and build their curiosity.

Location: 64 Main Road, Whataroa, South Westland, New Zealand

Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM (Daily)

15

Have Fun at Peters Pool Walk

Embark on a tranquil nature walk with your friends, family, or partner at Peters Pool. The gorgeous lake in New Zealand is a must-see which was made from the melting of a glacier about 200 years ago. The short and easy walk is among the best things to do in Franz Josef Glacier for all those who love to spend time amidst natural beauty.

It is a short walk of about 25 minutes through rainforests offering serene and breathtaking views of the valley and mountains. Once you spot the lake, you will be baffled by the stunning reflections of the glacier on the water.

Location: Peters Pool, West Coast 7886, Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

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