There is Plenty To Do in Franz Josef
At Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef, our travel desk is staffed by a friendly crew who are willing to give inpartial advise on the many fantastic activities in and around Franz Josef. Just send us an email and we are more than happy to offer advice and make any bookings for you. Booking ahead is recommended to avoid disappointment. Of course there is the glacier, but Franz Josef and the surrounding area offers heaps of exciting and memorable activities to enhance your stay in this beautiful piece of paradise.
Guided Glacier Walks and Heli Hikes
Explore the Franz Josef Glacier up close and personal with a guided walk. Experience the deep crevasse caverns and hear the grinding ice with the experienced and professional guides. All gear is included. Better still for the ultimate adventure and rated as one of the top three activities that must be done by all visitors to New Zealand. Combine the sensation of a scenic helicopter flight with a Glacier guided walk. We recommend and book Franz Josef Glacier Guides and The Helicopter Line. Franz Josef Glacier is very busy in the season (1 November - 1 May). Therefore only a limited number of walking spaces are available on the glacier. If you would like us to reserve a spot for you, please email us.
Flights
Take a scenic helicopter or fixed wing flights to the top of the Franz Josef Glacier and even over Mount Cook, with the options of landing in the snow. With the Fox and Tasman Glaciers on either side the views to Mount Cook and Mount Tasman are unbeatable. We highly recommend booking these activities ahead, please email us and we will be happy to assist with this fantastic part of your holiday.
Horse Trekking
Discover the beauty of South Westland on horseback in this horse-riding paradise, with a stunning backdrop of mountain ranges, the Southern Alps and rainforests. We recommend and book South Westland Horse Treks. Enjoy trekking in small groups at a pace that suits you. Our good quality Appaloosa & Quarter horses are suitable for novice and experienced riders. 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour and full day treks available. Send us an email for more information and bookings.
White Heron Tours
Visit New Zealand's only White Heron (Kotuku) nesting colony. See the magnificent Kotuku, Royal Spoonbill, Little Shag and other birdlife, all in their natural environment. We recommend and book White Heron Tours. Send us an email for more information and bookings.
Skydive NZ - Fox Glacier
This has to be New Zealand's most scenic skydive. Taking off over the rainforest viewing Lake Matheson and coastal views from Hokitika in the North to Haast in the South; climbing to the western faces of Mt Cook with spectacular mountain and glacier views; and then jumping out of a perfectly good plane - sensational. For more information and bookings send us an email.
Skydive Franz
Skydive Franz offers the ultimate tandem skydiving experience. The highest skydive in the country (at 18 000 feet!), over the highest mountains in New Zealand. Skydive Franz is located in the hub of glacier country with the most amazing views of Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, the temperate rainforest of Westland National Park, Tasman sea and the majestic rivers that link them all together. Send us an email for more information or to book.
Lake and Lagoon Kayaking
Kayak with White Herons on Okarito Lagoon, New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland, surrounded by magnificent rain forest. This is a premier eco-experience surrounded by many unseen birds in their natural habitats. Kayak hire is available from two hours and guided trips are also available. We recommend and book Okarito Nature Tours. Don't be disappointed and miss out on a White Heron experience while in Franz Josef. Email us to book a space.
Flowing West - The Glacier Movie
See the Flowing West glacier movie on the GIANT HELIMAX screen at the Alpine Adventure Centre, Franz Josef. Combines the full screen imagery of a sensory journey through glacier country with full surround digital sound. An absolute must see. Daily from 10.30am. Other times available, subject to minimum numbers, except 5.00pm (guaranteed screening). For more information or to book a seat, please email us.
Glacier Country Kayaks
Fun & informative half day kayak tours and rentals of a pristine rainforest lake with a magnificent alpine & glacier backdrop. We journey across the lake and into the Okarito State Forest via a hidden estuary, a primevil location rement of the world during the Jurrassic. The location not only boasts outstanding views, everyone comments on the quiet and tranquility, but it's the vibrant climate change on the backdrop of New Zealands highest mountain peaks often mirrored on the black tannin filled waters, that leave folk impressed with the location. It's an outstanding kayak location with a world class backdrop. For more information or to make a booking, please email us.
Glacier Valley Eco Tours
We take pride in guiding to suit our clients age and ability. Interesting conversation, excellent information & personal attention. We can take you to and from the Franz Josef/Fox Glacier Terminals, Lake Matheson and all the local tracks. Suits individuals, couples and families with hot drinks and snacks provided. Send us an email for more information or to book an eco tour.
Across Country Quad Bikes Franz Josef
Across Country Quad Bikes - the only quad bike ride in New Zealand with Glacier Views. Experience the thrill of riding through West Coast rainforest, glacial fed rivers and glorious MUD! Riverbed, Native Bush and Grassland we cover it all. See the Glacier from a new angle. Fully guided - no experience necessary. All our quad bikes are 2 seater, automatic and easy to drive. Wet weather equipment is provided. There is a heli-Quad option - ask us about it! We can arrange group bookings so get your friends together and email us!
Eco Rafting Adventures
We are the Heli rafting specialists, locally owned with over 15 years experience. We have trips for all ages and budgets, from half day trips to overnight camping to backcountry huts to luxury lodges with all the trimmings. Send us an email and let us know what your preferences are. You'll love our trips - they give you a huge insight into NZ culture, history and the environment we travel through. Our tours are kept small with huge emphasis on a good length of time spent out there in the wilderness. Back-country rafting, heli flights, canyons, mountains, live monster eels, wilderness camping, fishing, cliff jumping, waterfalls, superb scenic gorges...you KNOW there's something for you in that list. We've got trips for all types of adventurists, groups of friends, or the whole family. We run over 16 different rivers across the coast, from flat water scenic floats to full on grade 5 whitewater. Come and check us out! No experience necessary, free photos taken by our safety kayaker on every trip. Send us an email for more information or to book.
Beaumont Buggys Offroad Driving Fun
Beaumont Buggys is a locally owned offroad driving venture with 250cc 2 seater offroad go karts located on beautiful farm and rainforest country, with spectacular mountain views. An affordable fun activity for the whole family. There is a 12 lap offroad circut track to try your offroad driving skills out, and a 1 1/2 hour farm - rainforest trip with spectacular mountain scenery. Group and family bookings available - just bring yourself, your camera, and warm clothing if cold. Send us an email for more information or to book.Glacier Country Lake Tours
Welcome Aboard the Hanna-K. Settle in and prepare yourself for 100% Pure New Zealand Scenery. Enjoy reflections and vistas so crisp you could almost reach out and touch them as our experienced and informative guides take you through the untouched beauty that is the glacially formed Lake Mapourika. Just 8 minutes drive from Franz Josef village, suitable for all ages and most weather conditions. Your 1.5 hour cruise will take you to our piece of paradise. Surrounded by magnificent scenery and wildlife, enjoy gliding on mirror-like water in our well appointed 24 seater cruise boat while our nature guide provides an engaging commentary, pointing out scenic highlights and wildlife. Charters and fishing are available. For more information or to book, please email us.
Glacier Hot Pools
Relaxing under nature’s leafy canopy at The Glacier Hot Pools is a wonderfully rejuvenating experience to be enjoyed all year round. Franz Josef’s newest attraction, The Glacier Hot Pools, features three invitingly warm main pools and three private hot pools secluded in native bush, fed with pure local glacier water. Experience the tranquility of the pools on Cron Street. Visit www.glacierhotpools.com or email us for more information.
Free walks
The Department of Conservation welcomes you to the Franz Josef Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere and Fox Te Moeka o Tuawe Glaciers within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Spectacular scenery and a fascinating cultural heritage combine in this area to offer you exciting and interesting recreational opportunities. The DOC Visitor Centre at Franz Josef is a great starting point to get your bearings. The Visitor Centre offers interesting displays and detailed information about the glaciers and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The centre screens an excellent audio-visual. Up-to-date weather forecasts are provided daily and make sure you ask about the recreational opportunities in the area. Hut tickets and hunting permits are available as well as a range of conservation gifts and essential outdoor equipment. Send us an email if you would like more information.
Selected Walks from Franz Josef Glacier:
Glacier Valley Walk - 1hr 20min return. Follows the Waiho River bed to glacier terminal. Please heed all signs and barriers.
Sentinel Rock Walk - 20 min return. An easy climb for spectacular views of the glacier.
Douglas Walk - 1 hour return. Five minutes bushwalk to Peters Pool for reflective views of glacier and continues through forest to exit 500 metres down road from start point.
Roberts Point Track - 5 hours return. Climbs via a rocky track and swingbridges to a high viewpoint above glacier.
Alex Knob Track - 8 hours return. Climb up to sub-alpine terrain with views of the glacier, mountains and coastline.
