From hiking on 1 of the biggest glaciers inward the country, to seeking out undercover lilliputian waterfalls, there’s no shortage of awesome things to do inward Franz Josef, New Zealand!
Tucked away on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is the modest township of Franz Josef, or every bit I similar to reckon it, the gateway to Glacier Country.
Franz Josef is a beautiful town perched amongst the heavy flowing Waiho River, which emerges from the foothills of the New Zealand’s ‘spine’ The Southern Alps.
It is hither you lot tin hold out guaranteed to receive got an epic fourth dimension adventuring into the snowcapped peaks, listening to the sounds of the native birds, or going all out in addition to jumping into a helicopter for a one-of-a form ice-hiking experience.
The Best Things to Do inward Franz Josef Glacier
No thing your interests or move goals, Franz Josef Glacier, likewise known as Westland Tai Poutini National Park, is a must see spell inward New Zealand.
I spent three months living in addition to working inward this gorgeous business office of the country, in addition to I tin state you lot in that location are literally thence many epic things to do inward Franz Josef Glacier!
Hiking To Alex Knob
Want those epic glacier views but can’t quite afford a helicopter flight? Well this is the best hike you lot tin do inward Franz Josef!
Allow 8 hours (17 kilometres) for this zig-zagging uphill bonanza every bit you lot meander through stunning beech forests to the audio of the Waiho River below.
You’ll come upward across a serial of lookouts staggered throughout the trail, but the 1 you lot are after is some 1,280 metres higher upward bounding main level, leaving you lot with breathtaking views of Franz Josef Glacier.
My best tip is to exit early, similar really early on (4-5am), thence you’ll larn in that location inward fourth dimension for sunrise, addition it’s pretty cool hiking through an early on morn inversion layer into glorious sunshine.
Tartare Tunnel – Glow Worms
One of the least-visited places inward Franz Josef is the Tartare Tunnels, but this is in all probability the most unique of all the hikes inward the area.
Only a brusk 45 infinitesimal walk from the centre of town brings you lot along the fox-glove (a royal blossom mutual inward New Zealand) covered banks of the Tartare River to the entrance of an sometime golden mining tunnel known every bit the ‘Tartare Tunnels’.
These were mitt built past times a grouping of 15-20 men inward extremely freezing, harsh conditions some 120 years ago.
Today, Tartare Tunnels are consumed past times a trickling of icy mutual frigidness H2O in addition to glow worms! It mightiness hold out scary for a combat to plough off your flash light, but 1 time you lot do, glow worms embrace the ceiling of the sometime golden mining tunnel, in addition to it’s similar you lot are watching the milky galaxy above…it’s amazing!
Tartare Tunnels are a one-way tunnel, thence it volition receive got you lot nigh 10 minutes to walk through the tunnel to a wooden, depression flat platform engulfed past times lush plants in addition to a trickling current of pristine water.
Definitely 1 of the best places to see inward Franz Josef.
Chasing Waterfalls
If you’re similar me in addition to dear waterfalls, Franz Josef is the identify to be. I am going to give you lot the insider’s tips on where all those epic, crystal clear waterfalls are.
- Franz Josef Valley Glacier Walk – These are where the large ones falls where you lot tin reckon 2-3 waterfalls coming from the mountains of the Fritz Range. To genuinely sense these waterfalls, you lot volition demand to do the 1.5 hours of walking to the base of operations of Franz Josef Glacier in addition to back.
- Callery Gorge – This is an array of waterfalls, but the best 1 is located at Callery River, where you lot tin ticker this beauty current correct underneath you lot every bit you lot cross a sturdy, wooden bridge. This is the perfect identify to chill out with real few people coming this way.
- Roberts Point Track – At the start of the rail (I’ll trammel to this 1 later), simply after Douglas Bridge, a current meets the commencement of the trail. Here instead of next the track, caput upward to your left in addition to continue rock-hopping until you lot come upward across this undercover lilliputian waterfall perched amongst native New Zealand ferns.
- Everywhere – Franz Josef has a multitude of lilliputian waterfalls pretty much wherever you lot go, thence all you lot receive got to do is listen, trek through a few Punga ‘native fern’, in addition to you lot volition receive got your ain waterfall!
Peter’s Pool
What’s ameliorate than seeing double mountains? Probably nothing.
Yeah that’s right, you lot tin reckon snow-capped peaks reflecting off this undercover lilliputian pond 1 time idea to receive got formed when a massive chunk of H2O ice savage off Franz Josef Glacier in addition to melted, forming Peter’s Pool!
Peter’s Pool is a brusk 20 infinitesimal one-way walk from the Franz Josef Valley machine park. However if desire to immerse yourself inward a Lord of the Rings scene, walk from the plough off to Alex Knob along the chief route heading toward Douglas Bridge in addition to genuinely sense what it’s similar to hold out nether the canopies of ancient rainforest trees.
Roberts Point Track
Roberts Point Track is the perfect challenge for the avid hiker, thence tighten your laces in addition to caput for the mountains for this 12.3 kilometre provide hike.
Roberts Point Track for the firstly one-half takes you lot through Lord of the Rings-like rainforests, consummate with moss-covered trees in addition to cascading waterfalls all with stunning views of Waiho River in addition to the Fritz Range.
A serial of swing bridges allow you lot to walk over vertical drops ,all spell getting a sense of what it was similar for early on mountaineers in addition to hikers past times visiting Hende’s Hut.
Last but non least, the difficult uphill hike rewards you lot uninterrupted views of Franz Josef Glacier. So worth the effort, in addition to 1 of the epic things to do to a greater extent than or less Franz Josef.
Franz Josef Valley Glacier Walk
The Franz Josef Valley Glacier Walk is your classic walk, in addition to a must do if you lot desire to reckon Franz Josef Glacier inward an tardily fashion.
This 1.5 lx minutes walk from the Valley machine commons is the most pop of the Franz Josef activities, in addition to is suitable for everyone.
Strolling along the banks of the Waiho, with Franz Josef Glacier clearly inward sight in addition to surrounding snowcapped peaks, this tardily walk is a must-do if you lot are on tight schedule.
Be sure to do this walk early on every bit it gets real busy subsequently throughout the day.
Callery Gorge Walk
Callery Gorge walk is the closest to the town of Franz Josef, making it the 2nd most pop hike inward Franz Josef, but don’t permit that set you lot off.
This 90-minute provide hike meanders past times spectacular waterfalls, ancient trees drooping with moss, in addition to lichens where native birds hop from branch to branch.
Views of the Waiho River are elevated in addition to are quite spectacular (if you lot know where to respect them).
After a steady descent through to a greater extent than mystical rainforests, you lot respect yourself at Callery Gorge Bridge sitting precariously over a raging volume of water, mostly from H2O ice melt.
From this betoken you lot tin caput dorsum the agency you lot came, or select to walk along the edges of the Waiho River (only do endeavour this when H2O levels inward the river are low).
Canavan’s Knob
One of the most underrated Franz Josef walking tracks is Canavan’s Knob, situated on the banks of the Waiho River.
Canavan’s Knob is an tardily walk, winding to a greater extent than or less the edges of the loma giving stunning views of the surrounding, lush farmlands, correct out to the sights of the bounding main in addition to coastal town of Okarito.
At the go past times of Canavan’s Knob (40 minutes return) is a spectacular thought of Franz Josef Glacier, which is really quite unexpected given Canavan’s Knob is the furthest hike inward the valley away from the glacier.
Heli Hiking On Franz Josef Glacier
Heli-hiking on the glacier is past times far the most epic run a peril activities you lot tin do inward town – It mightiness really hold out the best thing to do spell inward Franz Josef!
Everyone comes to Franz Josef to reckon its glacier perched high upward betwixt the Baird in addition to Fritz ranges, weaving its agency to the pump of the Southern Alps.
What ameliorate agency to reckon the glacier than to really become H2O ice hiking on it! So strap on your crampons, catch an H2O ice pick in addition to trammel inward a helicopter for what is 1 of the most adventurous activities you lot tin do inward Franz Josef!
Helicopters are the solely prophylactic agency onto the glacier, due to the bottom of it becoming extremely unstable inward the past times fifteen years.
Our recommendations are to become with Franz Josef Glacier Guides on Cron Street…these guys in addition to girls know how to demo you lot a proficient fourth dimension spell upward on the glacier.
Kayaking On Lake Mapourika
There is no ameliorate agency to reckon the Southern Alps than from the crisp, clear Lake Mapourika!
Only a brusk fifteen infinitesimal drive from Franz Josef township, Glacier Country Kayaks are the perfect people to receive got you lot on a kayak from 1 cease of the lake to some other where you lot receive got the chance to human face for kiwi’s (the bird) along the banks of Echo Bay all spell endlessly gazing into stunning mountains stretching from 1 cease of the horizon to the other.
Keep an oculus out for Mount Tasman, New Zealand’s 2nd highest mount occasionally peeking out from behind the clouds.
Glacier Hot Pools
If you’re wondering what to do inward Franz Josef on a rainy day, depository fiscal establishment represent out the Glacier Hot Pools!
Located at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides Base, the Glacier Hot Pools are the ultimate identify to chill out.
Choose from the chief pool, with temperatures ranging from 36-40 degrees ,or opt for your ain individual puddle where you lot are immersed within the forests of Franz Josef.
After your spa experience, bask a blissful massage at the hands of the most experienced massage therapists on the West Coast.
Where To Stay – The Best Accomodation In Franz Josef
For such a modest town there’s a lot of first-class accommodation options to suit every budget.
Best Hostel In Franz Josef – YHA
If you’re a backpacker on a budget, in addition to then you lot should depository fiscal establishment represent out the one-and-only YHA Franz Josef.
The YHA create is known for having the absolute best backpacker hostels inward Commonwealth of Australia in addition to New Zealand, in addition to the 1 inward Franz Josef sure as shooting doesn’t disappoint.
Downstairs is a huge mutual area, with a puddle table, library, couches in addition to tables to chill, eat in addition to imbibe at. Outside there’s to a greater extent than awesome chill zones, which are corking to bask on a sunny twenty-four lx minutes menstruum after a large twenty-four lx minutes menstruum hiking.
It’s an tardily identify to socialise with other travellers, thence if you’re moving to a greater extent than or less New Zealand on your own, you’ll speedily create friends here.
There’s laundry facilities, costless tea in addition to java all day, costless wifi throughout the building, in addition to you lot tin volume all your tours in addition to onward carry correct in that location at reception.
The dorms are create clean in addition to spacious, in addition to the individual rooms are nice. Bathrooms are regularly checked in addition to cleaned every bit good throughout the day.
If you’re planning on staying at a few YHAs to a greater extent than or less the country, it’s worth signing upward for their exclusive membership. This gives you lot discounts at all their accommodation, every bit good every bit cheaper prices on tours in addition to activities in addition to a bunch of other perks.
What makes the YHA stand upward out though is their commitment to environmentally-friendly practices in addition to sustainability. They do everything they tin to minimise their release energy consumption in addition to are serious nigh recycling.
They’re likewise Carbon-Zero certified!
Best Mid-Range Hotel In Franz Josef – Rainforest Retreat
The famous Rainforest Retreat eco-lodge accommodates everyone from backpackers to people driving campervans, correct upward to those wanting to respect that piece of luxury inward the brand-new treehouses they receive got simply built (they are pretty epic).
Then in that location is all the accommodation inward between, ranging from Gecko Huts (little huts inward a undercover business office of the Rainforest Retreat) to the older tree huts all with their ain individual verandah, kitchen, queen bed etc.
Luxury on vacation for some is the agency to go, thence why non become for the newly built deluxe options which include stunning elevated views of the Baird in addition to Fritz Ranges which are to a greater extent than oftentimes than non covered inward snow. So sit down dorsum inward your personal spa in addition to sip on your wine!
Rainforest Retreat prides itself on beingness the set out 1 identify to remain inward Franz Josef, consummate with an onsite bar in addition to eating seat serving New Zealand make to West Coast’s favourite beer, Monteith’s.
We sort out this identify every bit mid-range, non because it’s medium quality, but because they tin cater for all budgets.
Best Luxury Hotel In Franz Josef – Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Te Waonui Forest Retreat prides itself on beingness the ‘gem’ of Franz Josef, the identify where travellers become to genuinely relax, all spell taking inward the breathtaking views of the surrounding lush forests in addition to towering mountains of the Southern Alps.
Te Waonui is an eco-friendly establishment every bit the backdrop to this hotel is fragile national park. They do everything they tin to protect the surroundings to a greater extent than or less them.
This really is the creme-de-la-creme of hotels inward Franz Josef. If you’re create to splash out for a particular occasion, this is the identify to do it.
How to Get to Franz Josef
Franz Josef is located on the West Coast of New Zealand, inward Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the South Island, in addition to is inward quite a remote identify away from larger towns in addition to cities.
From Queenstown – There are a few options inward getting in that location in addition to the best past times far is hiring a machine in addition to driving via Wanaka to the Haast Pass, which volition receive got to a greater extent than or less 4.5 hours depending on route in addition to atmospheric condition conditions. If you lot opt for a bus, this volition receive got to a greater extent than or less 8.5 hours every bit the motorcoach drivers similar to halt at the attractions such every bit Thunder Creek Falls on the westward side of Haast Pass.
From Christchurch – The most mutual agency for travelling to Franz Josef is via Christchurch through the Arthurs Pass on the TransAlpine Train, which takes you lot past times spectacular mount ranges, forests in addition to lakes arriving into Greymouth, where you lot tin hire a machine in addition to drive south. From Greymouth to Franz Josef allow 2 hours, but create sure to halt past times the seaside town of Hokitika for some delicious fish in addition to chips.
The Best Restaurants In Town
Rounding out our listing of the best things to do inward Franz Josef is of course of teaching knowing where to eat! Here are some of my favourites.
Snakebite – $-$$
Snakebite is the perfect identify to indulge after a long twenty-four lx minutes menstruum on the trail, with its Vietnamese inspired cuisine in addition to huge make of beers on tap to homemade mars bars in addition to rocky-road slices. Snakebite is identify to hold out when eating out, in addition to is the local’s favourite every bit well.
Blue Ice Cafe – $-$$
If you lot are after local cuisine, Blue Ice Cafe located at the go past times of the street is definitely recommended. Opt for venison or lamb shanks with a drinking glass or 2 of local cerise wine. After you lot complete your repast caput on upstairs to the Ice Bar for a refreshing drinkable with a pretty epic thought of the surrounding mountains. Oh, in addition to the Ice Bar owns a stretch limousine Hummer (really quite strange) which tin hold out ordered to pick you lot upward from your accommodation!
The Alice May – $-$$
Tucked away on Cron Street is The Alice May Restaurant idyllic for a quite nighttime out away from the crowds. Enjoy a repast exterior underneath the warmth of a mushroom heater spell indulging inward finely prepared local cuisine.
That’s it for my listing of the best things to do inward Franz Josef Glacier. Think I’ve missed something? Found the article helpful? Leave a comment below in addition to permit me know!
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