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About Glacier Land
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The western coast of
South Island is home to three major Glaciers in the world, of which Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are the most visited. Living remnants of the ice ages carve a spectacular landscape on their advance from the vast snow and ice fields of
New Zealand's
Southern Alps to their terminal face just 300 meters above sea level in the lush rainforests of the beautiful West Coast. This is
Westland
National Park, an area of outstanding natural values, and part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. |
Transportation and Accommodation
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The twin glaciers are located around 25 kilometers drive apart. You can easily reach
Glacier
Land by road from
Christchurch via
Arthurs
Pass or from Queenstown from the southern
Haast
Pass. There are also convenient air and scenic rail connections at Greymouth.
There is vast selection of accommodation in Fox Glacier and Franz Josef villages for all budgets including resort hotels, motor inns, backpacker hostels, farmstays, bed & breakfast homestays, caravan and motorhome parks, lodges, cabins and camping grounds.
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Visitor Attractions
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Fox Glacier
The Fox Glacier is a 12 km long glacier located in
Westland
National Park. It was named in 1872 after a visit by the then Prime Minister of
New Zealand, Sir William Fox. It is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, with its terminal face an easy walk from Fox Glacier village. It is a major tourist attraction and about 1000 people daily visit it during high tourist season. Among the various activities, scenic flight with snow landing is the most preferred to experience bird’s eye view of the majestic glacier. There are organized/guided glacier walks which can be booked at information centers in Fox Glacier village
Franz Joseph Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is also 12 km long located around 25 kilometers towards the south of Fox Glacier. Adventure activities include scenic flight, heli hiking, guided glacier walk and forest walk. You have the option to take twin glacier scenic flight with the option to land on any one or both the glaciers. |
Tips for Travelers
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Fox and Franz Joseph Glacier are still growing compared to the shrinking glaciers elsewhere. Blocks of ice crash at the mouth of the glacier due to the accumulating snow on top the mountains. Hence it is very risky to venture out very close to the glacier mouth. There have been incidences of death due to ice crushing upon people. Always go with experienced glacier hikers who are always available for guided glacier walk from the glacier villages. |
Traveler Resources
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