South Island | Must Do New Zealand

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 Nature Tour

Price: $105 per person – Child $52.15 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DURATION: Up to 3 hours
DISTANCE: 1.7-3.7km

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 Guided Nature Tour

Price: $105 per person – Child $52.50(Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 1:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DURATION: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 6.4km

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

Okarito Guided Nature 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: 3.5 Hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DURATION: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 2 – 4.2km

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

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: 3.5 Hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DURATION: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 4.4km

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 PenguinTour

Price: $199 per person
Tour Departs: 4:00 pm
Tour Duration: 3.0 Hours

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DURATION: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 2 – 4.2km

Mountain and glacier views, unique birds and wildlife, lagoon & wetlands, beach, rich history and amazing sunsets; this is one of New Zealand’s hidden gems!
Okarito lagoon is famous for the white heron – Kotuku, which is their feeding ground.
This area is also home to long-tailed bats, kea, kereru, Ruru – morepork, Rowi kiwi, fernbirds, Okarito forest gecko, Korora – little blue penguins, fur seals, hectors dolphins & the occasional southern right whale while migrating.
Views of Mt Tasman & Mt Cook – NZ’s highest mountains. Walk in the rainforest to a remote lagoon, along the rugged West Coast beach past the marine reserve & view the Korora Blue penguins coming up the beach at dusk. Hear night bird calls such as Ruru (morepork), Rowi Kiwi – NZ’s most endangered kiwi species.

Tour price INCLUDES YOUR DONATION of $10pp to the West Coast Penguin Trust

*Good fitness level required
*no guarantee of penguin sightings
*Weather dependant

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.