Travel Guide of Fox Glacier in New Zealand by Influencers and Travelers

Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe is a 13-kilometre-long temperate maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

Pictures and Stories of Fox Glacier from Influencers

15 pictures of Fox Glacier from Mario Karner, Ardiss Hutaff, Tyler Lastovich and other travelers

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How to visit Fox Glacier ?

Why Traveling There?

Fox Glacier is one of New Zealand's most accessible glaciers, offering a unique opportunity to explore a dynamic glacial environment. The glacier is renowned for its stunning ice caves, crevasses, and tunnels. Its natural beauty is combined with an abundance of wildlife, including seals, dolphins and penguins. This makes Fox Glacier an unforgettable travel experience.

How to Get There?

Fox Glacier is located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The nearest airport is Hokitika, which is about two hours' drive away. From there, you can hire a car or catch a bus to Fox Glacier. Alternatively, you could take a scenic train ride from Christchurch to Greymouth, then hire a car or catch a bus for the remaining two-hour journey.

What to Book in Advance?

It's recommended to book guided tours of the glacier in advance, especially during peak season (November to March). These tours can include a heli-hike, where you fly up to the glacier and then hike on the ice. You might also consider booking accommodation in advance, as the area can get quite busy.

What are the Costs?

Costs can vary depending on your activities. A guided heli-hike tour ranges from $400 to $500. Accommodation can vary from budget backpacker hostels at around $30 per night to luxury lodges at $200+. Meals at local restaurants cost around $20-$30 per person.

What are the Best Things to Do?

Aside from exploring the glacier, other popular activities include taking a scenic flight over the Southern Alps, visiting the nearby Lake Matheson - famous for its reflective views of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, and hiking in the surrounding rainforest. Wildlife lovers should visit Gillespies Beach, a popular spot for seal and penguin sightings.

Where to Eat?

For a delicious meal, visit The Last Kitchen, known for its locally sourced food and wide selection of New Zealand wines. Another good option is Cook Saddle Cafe & Saloon, offering hearty meals and a friendly atmosphere.

Where to Stay?

For luxury accommodation, check out Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel. This stylish hotel offers spacious rooms and stunning mountain views. For a more budget-friendly option, consider staying at Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge, known for its cozy rooms and great location.

Off the Beaten Path

For an unusual travel experience, consider exploring the Minnehaha Glowworm Walk at night. This short walk takes you through lush rainforest to a grotto illuminated by glowworms. It's a magical experience akin to looking at a starry night sky and adds a touch of whimsy to your Fox Glacier adventure.

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  Map of Fox Glacier

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Discover more travel spots to explore around Fox Glacier

  ❄️ Glacial landform spots     ⛰️ Hill station spots     🏞️ Lake spots     🌲 Nature reserve spots     ⛰️ Highland spots     ⛰️ Hill spots     ❄️ Glacier spots     ⛰️ Mountain range spots  

Learn More about Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier is a village in the South Island of New Zealand. The village is close to the eponymous Fox Glacier, which is a 8-mile long (13 kilometers) glacier located in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The city is quite small with only 300 inhabitants, but the number of tourists every year makes the city very lively. The city has two churches, apart from that there is not much to do there, but you will be seduced by its mountainous setting with the glacier which is drawn just above. ​​There are many hikes available in the area, including the spectacular Franz Josef Walk, which is a moderate one hour and a half hike up the glacier valley. You can walk to the end of the Franz Josef Glacier, or enjoy the view of the Fox Glacier. ​​There are different ways to admire the fox glacier, by taking a walk or even a helicopter ride just above the glacier, for the thrill seekers, you can even do a parachute jump to challenge yourself, and you will be so impressed by the view in front of you, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the region. These activities depend a lot on the weather conditions, so be sure to know if you want to do these activities during your trip. ​​Nearby you can go to Gillespies Beach, a volcanic pebble beach with black sand and very impressive waves, to enjoy the sea air while being in the mountains! ​​You can take a walk around Lake Matheson and admire the reflection of the mountains in the water, and also discover the surrounding forests. To stay, there are hotels and inns in the village, but you can also go to a nearby town that offers more accommodation. The area offers many excursions, whether it is on the glacier, at the beach or in the forest, there are different landscapes to please everyone. The place finally allows us to put an end to the debate of which place is the best between the sea and the mountain because here there are both !

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Fox Glacier

Where can I park near the Fox Glacier ?

There are several parking lots where you can leave your car before starting your hike, there is the Franz Josef Glacier Car Park. 

Which departure time is the best to book my trip for Fox Glacier ?

Temperatures at Fox Glacier vary very little. The area is very humid and temperatures are cold half the year, and more pleasant the other half with the chance of rain and snow. If you are looking for soft temperatures to visit Fox Glacier, the warmest months are January through March. But beware, the busiest months for tourists are March and June-July, so take this into account when booking your tickets.

Do I need to have experience to hike Fox Glacier? Can we visit the glacier all year round?

You don't need any experience to hike Fox Glacier, most of the hikes last a few hours and are of moderate level, but if you prefer you can take a guide who will advise you. The glacier can be visited all year round.

What is there to do in Fox Glacier town?

Fox Glacier town is a small village with very few inhabitants, whose main activity is focused on its mountain environment and glacier-related activities. In the town itself, there is not much to do, except maybe to visit the two churches, but the great interest of the town is its glacier and its numerous hikes.

   Where to Stay near Fox Glacier

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Karangarua

  23 km (14.0 miles) away from Fox Glacier

The Karangarua River is located in the west of New Zealand's South Island. It flows northwest from the Southern Alps, entering the Tasman Sea 80 kilometres northeast of Haast. The main tributary of the Karangarua is the Copland River.

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#Plain picture of Karangarua near Fox Glacier

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