Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier is spectacular. Full stop. It provides a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacier in a temperate environment, within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway. Just six kilometres from the centre of the village, Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere descends from the tops of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana into rainforest close to sea level. Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere means the 'The tears of Hinehukatere' in Māori . According to Māori legend, Hinehukatere persuaded her lover to climb the mountain with her but he slipped and fell to his death. Hinehukatere's neverending tears created the mighty glacier.

Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village, though the Maori names are different. The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps above.

Franz Josef village is on State Highway 6 and is 2 hours by car from Hokitika, 5.75 hours from Wanaka and 25 minutes from Fox Glacier village. And the glacier is five kilometres from the village. From the glacier car park it’s a 45-minute walk to the public glacier viewing point.