Fox Glacier village is on State Highway 6 and is 158km 2 hours by car from Hokitika, 262km 3 hours and 15 minutes by car from Wanaka and 25 minutes by car from Franz Josef Glacier village. Fox Glacier is just five kilometres from the village. Check out the Daily Glacier Access Update before your visit.
Additionally, Can you hike Fox Glacier without a guide? Yes! You can hike the trail to the base of the glacier without a guide.
Is Franz Josef open? The coverage is generally centred around the region’s towns with gaps of little or no reception in between. Franz Josef village: Four Square Supermarket, 24 State Highway 6, Franz Josef. Open 7.45am 7 days a week and closes at 7.30pm in winter, 8pm in spring and autumn and 9pm in summer.
Subsequently, What is there to do between Fox Glacier and Wanaka? What are the best places to stop between Wanaka and Franz Josef?
- Lake Hawea.
- Lake Wanaka Lookout (just after “The Neck”)
- The Blue Pools.
- Haast Pass Lookout.
- Fantail Falls.
- Thunder Creek Falls.
- Haast River lookout.
- Roaring Billy Falls.
FAQ
Can you see Franz Josef Glacier from the road?
However, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the exception not far from the West Coast Road, State Highway 6. Head south from the Franz Josef Glacier Village and cross the one way Bailey bridge over the Waiho River.
Why is Fox Glacier closed? The Fox Glacier Inn and Bigfoot Bar has been mothballed since June last year and the first coronavirus lockdown. After a change in landlords and lease increase on August 2, Talreja says he had little option but to close the business and sell his chattels.
Can you walk Franz Josef Glacier by yourself? Franz Josef Glacier Walk is a free walk in Franz Josef | Best walk details here.
How long is the Franz Josef walk? The 80-minute walk follows an old 4WD road then the tracks climbs to the old water tunnels. You will need a torch and raincoat to explore the tunnels. Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef township to the Franz Josef Glacier car park.
Why was Franz Josef a glacier?
Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) was explored by local iwi and in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 1.5 hour walk will take you to within 750m of its terminal face.
Where is the stop between Franz Josef and Queenstown? What are the best places to stop between Queenstown and Franz Josef?
- Crown Range.
- Cardrona Hotel.
- Bradrona.
- Wanaka.
- Lake Hawea.
- Lake Wanaka Lookout.
- Blue Pools.
- Haast Pass Lookout.
Is Franz Josef Glacier melting?
Any visitor returning to Franz Josef glacier this year, after 10 years, would notice a stark distance. Since 2008, it has been retreating rapidly and lost a massive 1.56km in length, at the fastest rate ever recorded. Fox has gone a similar way, losing 900m in the decade to 2018.
What is there to see between Wanaka and Haast? Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. A number of shorter walks begin at the highway’s edge between Makarora to Haast. Favourites include walks to the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy.
How long does it take to drive from Wanaka to Mount Cook?
At 199 kilometres this drive takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, we recommend taking at least half a day to make the most of the many photos stops and walks on offer.
How far is Milford Sound from Queenstown?
Milford Sound is 288km from Queenstown (4 hours 15 minutes) and 121km from Te Anau (2 hours 15 minutes). Choosing to drive to Milford Sound by car in your own time can be a rewarding experience, but there are risks involved. It’s important to plan your drive to Milford Sound carefully.
Is Franz Josef worth it? Is Franz Josef worth visiting? Yes! Franz Josef is one of the most popular towns on the South Island of New Zealand. Not only is it a must-visit but Franz Josef is also a great place to spend a night or two on your road trip around New Zealand.
Can you walk on glaciers in New Zealand? As there is no longer the option to walk directly up to a glacier for glacier hiking anywhere in New Zealand, the only way to hike on a glacier is by helicopter. This means there are more people flying onto the glaciers than ever before.
Where does the Franz Josef Glacier walk start?
Drive or walk south from the Franz Josef Waiau township across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau. From here, the car park is about 4km. This track is sometimes closed; check with the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre.
How long is Hokitika Gorge walk? Discover this 1.30 mile, loop trail near Hokitika, West Coast. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 42 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Where do you stop between Wanaka and Franz Josef?
What are the best places to stop between Wanaka and Franz Josef?
- Lake Hawea.
- Lake Wanaka Lookout (just after “The Neck”)
- The Blue Pools.
- Haast Pass Lookout.
- Fantail Falls.
- Thunder Creek Falls.
- Haast River lookout.
- Roaring Billy Falls.
What is the steepest glacier? Franz Josef is the steepest and fastest moving glacier in New Zealand. The steep form of the glacier creates the perfect conditions for ice flow. One impressive Franz Josef glacier fact is that this glacier has been recorded as moving up to 4 metres per day.
What is the largest glacier in New Zealand?
The largest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman Glacier, is 27km long and covers an area of 101 square kilometres, sitting below our highest mountain – Mount Cook.
What is there to do between Wanaka and Haast? Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. A number of shorter walks begin at the highway’s edge between Makarora to Haast. Favourites include walks to the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy.
How do I get from Queenstown to Fox Glacier?
Take a bus Queenstown to Fox Glacier with InterCity. The journey from Queenstown takes approximately 7 hours 15 minutes, travelling through the Southern Alps and into the rugged native bush and wild splendour of the West Coast.
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