Fox Glacier
Discover Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier village is in "Glacier Country" on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Tucked discreetly into the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, it has a stunning outlook across surrounding farms and offers breathtaking views of New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The tiny township was founded from a gold strike which soon petered out, and it now mostly serves as a base for visitors to its large icy namesake. There's a quiet, intimate village atmosphere compared to the other glacier town, Franz Josef. At 13 km long, Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe is the longest New Zealand glacier, falling 2,600 metres (8,000 ft) from its start just below Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman to where it terminates in lush temperate rain forest just 250 m above sea level. The rapid descent and accessibility make the West Coast's glaciers unique.
What to Experience in Fox Glacier
Taste of Fox Glacier...
Not available
Climate
The weather in the area is very variable and prone to change, so bring layers. Mornings are generally clear, though clouds start to gather in the afternoon, which may lead to cancelled tours, slippery walks and poor photography conditions. Winter is drier and there might be fresh snow on the glacier, but the roads will be icier. Drive on State Highway 6. The drive from Franz Josef is about 30 minutes. Although the distance between the two is not a lot as the crow flies, the road is one of the windiest you will ever drive on as it crosses an entire mountain range. The following locations offer bus bookings through various bus companies. Alternatively, you can book Intercity bus through their website. The village is small and all accommodation is within walking distance of the centre. Fox Tours and Shuttles, 0800 369 287, will shuttle people to outlying destinations like Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and Gillepsies Beach for $12 and up.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsDrive on State Highway 6. The drive from Franz Josef is about 30 minutes. Although the distance between the two is not a lot as the crow flies, the road is one of the windiest you will ever drive on as it crosses an entire mountain range. The following locations offer bus bookings through various bus companies. Alternatively, you can book Intercity bus through their website. The village is small and all accommodation is within walking distance of the centre. Fox Tours and Shuttles, 0800 369 287, will shuttle people to outlying destinations like Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and Gillepsies Beach for $12 and up. Sunrise at Lake Matheson, sunset at Gillespies Beach and glacier viewing in between makes for a pretty great day. A walk to see Fox Glacier is a rather ethereal experience, as it passes through a valley carved by the moving ice. There are several signposts that signal when and where the terminal face of the glacier used to be....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The village is small and all accommodation is within walking distance of the centre. Fox Tours and Shuttles, 0800 369 287, will shuttle people to outlying destinations like Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and Gillepsies Beach for $12 and up. Sunrise at Lake Matheson, sunset at Gillespies Beach and glacier viewing in between makes for a pretty great day. A walk to see Fox Glacier is a rather ethereal experience, as it passes through a valley carved by the moving ice. There are several signposts that signal when and where the terminal face of the glacier used to be. Several helicopter services operate out of Fox Glacier township and offer breathtaking flights over the glacier and the Southern Alps, weather permitting. It's a marvellous aerial view that demonstrates the vastness of the slow moving frozen river, with an option to make a snow landing on the nevé. An early morning flight could get you to the top of Fox Glacier, just as the sun rises over Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Where to Stay
Some of the motels and hotels will offer free Wi-fi, though some will also require payment.
Money & Budget
The general store is on State Highway 6 between Cafe Neve and the Glacier Country Hotel, and there is a fuel station on the same main road. There's a fairly small selection of restaurants in Fox Glacier, with a few lodgings like the Fox Glacier Inn, Glacier Country Hotel and High Peaks Hotel offering in-house food. If your budget is really tight, it might be worth picking up general supplies before coming into the glacier towns. Some of the motels and hotels will offer free Wi-fi, though some will also require payment.