10 Glaciers in New Zealand 2024: With Highlights & Location

New Zealand Glaciers

Glaciers in New Zealand includes Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, The Tasman Glacier, The Rob Roy Glacier, Hooker Glacier, Murchison Glacier, Volta Glacier, Mueller Glacier and many more.

The famous New Zealand Glaciers are known to offer travellers with scenic landscapes of glacial lakes, flower laden meadows, alluring forest covers, imposing mountain ranges, and national parks. The raw beauty of nature and the exquisite wilderness of these natural formations will stupefy your senses. You can come over to these places during the peak tourism season and indulge in a wide range of activities under the expert supervision.

When talking about some best glaciers in New Zealand, you have Franz Josef Glacier which offers loads of adventure opportunities to the thrill seekers, Fox Glacier which is popular for its alluring natural beauty and significance and The Tasman Glacier which is famous for heli hikes and guided tours. You can also head out to Hooker Glacier on New Zealand tour to explore the unexplored part of the world as well as indulge in some brilliant photography sessions as well.

Here is the list of best glaciers in New Zealand:

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01

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier happens to be one of the accessible glaciers in New Zealand which is situated in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. It is one of the most guided New Zealand glaciers with heaps of adventure junkies visiting every single year to explore the stunning blue ice caves and deep crevasses.

You can also book flights for Air Safaris and Fox Franz Heliservices to capture a memorable view and count the same as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Highlights:  Air Safaris, Helicopter Hiking, Rainforest Retreat

Location: Westland Tai Poutini National Park
02

Fox Glacier

Located on the west coast of South Island, this glacier is about 12 km long and offers panoramic views to the visitors. This is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites that will give you an indication of the alluring natural beauty and significance.

The guided tour of this place would last for about 2-3 hours and in the course of the same, you will be spotting rivers, beaches, and forests.

Highlights: UNESCO world heritage site, unforgettable glacier experience

Location: Westland Tai Poutini National Park
03

The Tasman Glacier

The Tasman Glacier happens to be a 23 km long Best Glacier in New Zealand that is upto 4 km wide and is about 600 meters thick at some points. Tourists love to come over to this place for trying out heli hikes and guided tours from the month of July to the month of September.

Hike through the track, you will get to witness awesome views of the largest glacier in the whole country.

Highlights: Heli hikes and guided tours, stunning views of pristine white snow and ice, Ski Plane

Location: Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island

04

The Rob Roy Glacier

The Rob Roy Glacier happens to be one of the Best Glaciers in New Zealand that is situated in the Mount Aspiring National Park. The best part of this place is its dramatic hanging cliff off the edge of the Peak. Hiking tour of this place takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete.

It is well marked, easy and incredibly enjoyable.

Highlights: Dramatic hanging off the edge of Rob Roy Peak

Location: Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island
05

Hooker Glacier

Hooker glacier is yet another glacier that sits on the slopes of the alps in the Southern Island. It is about 11 km long and offers fantastic walking tours to the visitors to let them witness the views of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The route through the Best Glacier in New Zealand takes about 3 hours to complete and on the way you will be able to capture amazing scenery on both the sides.

In the course of taking the hiking tour, you must capture the experience of standing before the peak as it surely leaves people speechless with its magnificence.

Highlights: Guided hiking tour, watching the Ice floating icebergs, Suspension bridges

Location: New Zealand
06

Murchison Glacier

Murchison Glacier, which is situated on the eastern part of Mount Cook in the Southern Alps is a wonderful place to visit for adventure seekers. It offers great opportunities to the daring souls like skiing and ski mountaineering.

The melt water of this glacier feeds the Murchison River and it in general flows under the Hooker Glacier.

Highlights: Skiing and ski mountaineering

Location: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in the South Island of New Zealand
07

Volta Glacier

Volta Glacier happens to be located in the Mount Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps of South Island of New Zealand. The glacier splits into an upper and lower glacier and is connected by an icefall.

Highlights: Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook,scenic highlights in Mackenzie

Location: Mount Aspiring National Park
08

Mueller Glacier

The Mueller Glacier is a 13 km long glacier that flows through Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the South Island of New Zealand.

Being one of the most sought after New Zealand glaciers, it is named after a Danish born Australian scientist who was on an exploration tour of Australia and was documenting the lesser known ranges.

Highlights: luxury inflite helicopter or ski plane, stunning views of Mt Sefton, captivating rugged mountain terrain

Location: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
09

Douglas Glacier

Douglas Glacier happens to be located on the southeast slope of Mount Logan. The glacier is about 1.21 km along and is about 2.4 km wide. It flows down from the east summit of Mount Logan to an altitude of about 6400 ft.

These New Zealand glaciers terminate in an icefall on the barren ground.

Highlights: Glacier Rock, stoney Creek river crossings, deciduous coniferous forest covers

Location: West Coast 7999, New Zealand
10

Olivine Ice Plateau

Olivine Ice Plateau is one of the  New Zealand glaciers that is located in the Olivine Wilderness Area and Aspiring National Park in the South Island. This place is named after the mineral olivine, found commonly in the region. In order to reach the Plateau you would need to pass through Rock Burn, Park Pass, Cow Saddle, Fiery Col and the Forgotten river.

You will capture brilliant views of nature and pristine surroundings from the peak.

Highlights: Rich is Mineral Olivine

Location: Olivine Wilderness Area and Aspiring National Park

People Also Ask About New Zealand

  1. What are the best things to do in Fox Glacier?

    1. Visit the Lake Matheson: Spread over 30 hectares of area, the glacial lake of Matheson is famous for its stunning reflective view of the snow capped mountains in the backdrop. From hiking, cycling to fishing, Lake Matheson is the perfect escapade from the bustling city crowd.

    2. Explore the natural hot pools of Welcome Flat: Hidden amidst rainforests and Alpine terrains of Copland Valley is one of the most visited and very unique destinations. Welcome Flat is home to some of the best hot pools of New Zealand that you cannot miss out on while exploring the stunning beauty of this island nation.

    3. Take a helicopter tour of the Fox Glacier: Taking the helicopter ride, you will be able to see some of the uninterrupted views of the Best Glacier in New Zealand, Fox Glacier. It stands tall to thousands of feet high up in the sky and the experience you will be getting is surely worth a lifetime.

    4. Watch the sunset at Gillespie’s Beach: Noted for one of the best sunset views, Gillespie’s beach overlooks the snow-capped Mount Cook on one side and the southern Pacific Ocean on the other side. Camping for the night on the beach is another thing to try while planning to watch the sunset from the beach. You will also be able to capture scenic views of the southern alps taking a coastal walk along the water body.

  2. Which is better, Fox or Franz Josef Glacier?

    Both Fox and Franz Josef New Zealand glaciers attract adventure seekers all through the year. The difference between both the places is that Fox Glacier has got a gradual incline whereas Franz Josef has got a steeper incline. The surface of Fran Josef Glacier is covered with crevasse and ice caves however this is not the same with Fox Glacier.
  3. Is it worth going to Franz Josef Glacier?

    Yes, it is definitely worth going to Franz Josef New Zealand glaciers as it is one of the most sought after natural wonders and you will be able to make some unforgettable memories at this place along with your loved ones.
  4. How far is Franz Josef Glacier from Queenstown?

    Franz Josef Glacier is located at a distance of 351.0 km from Queenstown which can be covered within 4 hours and 39 mins via state highway 9.
  5. What are the best things to do in Franz Josef Glacier?

    - Hiking To Alex Knob
    - Tartare Tunnel – Glow Worms
    - Chasing Waterfalls
    - Roberts Point Track
    - Franz Josef Valley Glacier Walk
    - Callery Gorge Walk
    - Heli Hiking On Franz Josef Glacier
    - Kayaking On Lake Mapourika

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