Image by Alexey Stiop / Getty Images

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef's cloak of ice once flowed from the mountains right to the sea. Following millennia of gradual retreat, the glacier is now 19km inland and accessible only by helicopter. Swarms of small aircraft from Franz Josef Glacier village, 5km north, lift visitors to views of sparkling ice and toothy mountains. Many land on the glacier to lead groups to blue-tinged caves and crevasses. A glacier experience is the crowning moment for thousands of annual visitors, but walking trails, hot pools, and adventure sports from quad biking to clay target shooting keep adrenaline pulsing.

Geologist Julius von Haast led the first European expedition here in 1865, and named the glacier after the Austrian emperor. The dismal forecast of a rainier, warmer future spells more shrinkage for Franz Josef, whose trimlines (strips of vegetation on the valley walls) mark out decades of dramatic glacial retreat.

Explore Franz Josef Glacier

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Franz Josef Glacier.

  • Restaurants

  • Asian

    SnakeBite Brewery

    SnakeBite's flavour-packed meals awaken taste buds after their long slumber through the West Coast's lamb-and-whitebait menus. Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai…

  • Pub Food

    Monsoon

    Sip drinks in the sunshine or within the cosy, chalet-style bar of the Rainforest Retreat, which usually buzzes with a sociable crowd of travellers. Bar…

  • Asian

    King Tiger

    Voyaging from India to China via Thailand, this atmospheric restaurant matches piquant dishes with Asian-inspired cocktails, red-and-black decor, Chinese…

  • Modern NZ

    Alice May

    Piling on the charm with its faux-Tudor decor, Alice May is the classiest restaurant in town. Sure, the menu includes meaty NZ favourites, but they…

  • Pub Food

    Landing Bar & Restaurant

    Portions are huge at the Landing Bar, from whopping whitebait patties to unfinishable nachos and bulky burgers. It gets busy but service meets demand…

  • Supermarket

    Four Square

    It's not as though you have options, so this mid-sized supermarket does the trick for self-catering and picnicking needs.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Franz Josef Glacier.

  • Activities