Fox & Franz Josef Glacier Walks – Scenic Eco Tours & Nature Hikes
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walks – Eco-Friendly Guided Tours
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Eco Walks – Explore Nature’s Beauty with Expert Guides
Discover the stunning landscapes of Franz Josef Glacier Valley on our eco-friendly guided walks. Nestled in the heart of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, these tours take you through regenerating forests, past hidden waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints of the Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere).
For those looking for a serene experience near Fox Glacier, our Lake Matheson Eco Tour offers a spectacular nature walk with mirror-like reflections of New Zealand’s tallest peaks.
Led by expert local guides, our tours provide fascinating insights into the area’s glaciation, geology, and vibrant flora and fauna, ensuring a memorable experience for all ages and abilities.
Choose Your Perfect Guided Walk:
- Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk: Easy-to-moderate nature walk with glacier views, hidden treasures like ‘dead ice,’ and regenerating rainforest.
- Lake Matheson Eco Tour: Evening walks for stunning mirror reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, surrounded by lush native rainforest.
- Early Bird Tours: Discover the morning bird chorus in Franz Josef or explore serene nature trails at dawn.
Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly adventure or a relaxing nature walk, our tours showcase the unique beauty and dynamic history of New Zealand’s glacier country.
Fox & Franz Josef Glacier Walk Options
Franz Josef Glacier Eco Tour
Price: $80 per person – Child $40 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Explore Franz Josef Glacier Valley on an easy-to-moderate walk filled with lush forest, hidden waterfalls, and glacier views.
- This Franz Josef Glacier Eco Tour starts with a short drive in our courtesy vehicle to the glacier car park
- Enjoy walking through regenerating forest for your first glimpse of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
- Your experienced guide will safely take you off the beaten track. Discover hidden waterfalls, ‘dead’ ice, and other natural treasures.
- Your guide will keep you captivated with an amazing interpretation of glaciation, geology and the natural history of this incredibly dynamic environment
- Easy to moderate walk
- Great photo opportunities are everywhere
- Perfect for families with kids aged 4 and up, this tour is a safe and exciting way to experience the glacier’s wonders.
Book this family-friendly adventure today and explore the wonders of Franz Josef Glacier Valley!
For a shorter bird tour for the dawn chorus in the Franz Josef Glacier valley, please see our Early Bird Tour at the bottom of this page.
Fox Glacier Eco Guided Tour
Price: $105 per person – Child $52.50(Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 1:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
- This Fox Glacier Eco Tour is a suitable level for beginners, all ages and abilities – a great family-friendly experience
- From your accommodation we drive to the Fox Glacier South side car park (30 mins from Franz Josef, 5 mins from Fox township)
- The track runs through lush historic glaciated rainforest in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, with focal points of huge rata, rimu trees and moss
- Views of upper Fox Glacier, Fox neve, Mt Tasman, one of NZ’s highest mountains
- Information on glaciation, geothermology (inc geothermal spring to dip your hand in) geology, flora and fauna
- Please note this tour does not get close or to view the terminal face of the glacier due to safety reasons
- This is mainly a nature tour – if you want to get close to the glacier terminal face, check out our Franz Josef Eco Tour
Early Bird Tour
Price: $90 per person – Child $45 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 6:00 am
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
Get up early and beat the air traffic. This tour aims to be in the forest for the morning bird chorus.
Support conservation while enjoying the tranquil dawn chorus. $5 from each tour helps protect native wildlife at Lake Matheson.
Beat the crowds and experience the serene morning chorus—book your spot today!
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels
Franz Josef Glacier - 2 Hour Tour
Price: $105 per person – Child $52.50 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 11:00 am
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
A shorter highly-informative but relaxed tour to Trident Falls in the Franz Josef Glacier valley with glacier views. Suitable for those that don’t fancy walking or that are on a tight schedule. Great option on a wet day.
Lake Matheson Eco Tour
Price: $105 per person – Child $52.50 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 5:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Witness New Zealand’s tallest peaks mirrored in the still waters of Lake Matheson, creating a moment you’ll never forget.
- Learn about flora, fauna, glaciation, geology and natural history
- Well-formed track for easy walking
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels
- For the best chance of mirror-like reflections this tour should be taken in the early evening; contact us for departure times due to daylight savings
Nature has combined 3 ingredients to create the stunning vista that is Lake Matheson:
- The dark coloured water creates breathtaking mirror-like reflections
- Ancient lush rainforest makes for a stunning walkway around the lake
- New Zealand’s two highest mountains which at early evening reflect in the waters of Lake Matheson
For a shorter early morning bird chorus tour, please see our Early Bird Tour at the bottom of this page.
Okarito Guided Eco Tour
Price: $105 per person – Child $52.5 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
Explore the old gold mining township of Okarito, and the walks it has to offer. Mountain and glacier views, unique birds and wildlife, lagoon, beach, rich history and amazing sunsets; this is one of New Zealand’s hidden gems. We can tailor this trip to suit you – and if you like photography, then we never turn down the opportunity to pop in to see world renowned Andris Apses’ photography gallery while we are there! Full day tour also available, see our Full Day tours page.
- Suitable level for beginners and all ages and abilities
Our Full Day Tours
Okarito Full Day Tour
Price: $199 per person
Price: Child $100 (Aged 12 to 15)
Tour Departs: 11:00 am
Tour Duration: 7 Hours
Explore the old gold mining township of Okarito, and the walks it has to offer. Mountain and glacier views, unique birds and wildlife, lagoon, beach, rich history and amazing sunsets.
This is one of New Zealand’s hidden gems. We can tailor this trip to suit you – and if you like photography, then we never turn down the opportunity to pop in to see Andris Apses’ Photography gallery while we are there!
- Average fitness level required
- Not suitable for under 12 years of age
Franz Josef Glacier Full Day Walk
Price: $240 per person
Price: Child $100 (Aged 12 to 15)A
Tour Departs: 9:00 am
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Step into a world of towering ice formations and cascading waterfalls as you walk in the footsteps of explorers past, on this advanced track with the safety of an experienced guide.
Walk up next to the Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata O Hine Hukatere) in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Walk in the footsteps of the old guides on this historic track featuring Hende’s Hut for a cup of tea.
- Good amount of fitness required; moderate – experienced hikers
- Track subject to weather and availability
- Not suitable for under 12 years of age
Return to West Coast page