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Places to visit

Fox Glacier

The township of Fox Glacier is 25 kilometres south of Franz Josef and like its neighbour has a small resident population who predominantly service the tourists who come to the area attracted by the Fox Glacier and the special scenery that is on offer.

The Fox Glacier descends 2,500 metres in a journey of over 13 kilometres westward. Guided walks onto the ice and helicopter flights with experienced operators, where visitors can really take advantage of the scenery as well as the glacier, are available.

A must for all visitors is the 5 minute drive west to Lake Matheson where crystal clear waters offer spectacular mirror images of New Zealand’s highest peaks Aoraki/Mount Cook and Tasman while the walkway around the lake takes about an hour through beautiful native bush teeming with birdlife.

In common with Franz Josef, there is a wide range of quality accommodation and food outlets in the township which cater for the many visitors all year around.

View the Fox Glacier Community Website.