Fox & Franz Josef Glacier Valley Eco Walks
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Eco Walks & Guided Tours
Join Glacier Valley Eco Tours for a REAL nature tour in and around Glacier Country on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Glacier Valley Eco Tours provides small group, informative, personalised tours and guided walks,
Their knowledgeable NZ ‘Kiwi’ guides will keep you captivated with a fantastic interpretation of glaciation, geology, local flora & fauna and the history of this incredibly dynamic environment.
Providing guests with relaxed eco-style tours which walk at your pace, with plenty of opportunities to take photos, stand under waterfalls, hold ice out of the river and treasure hunt for native flowers, birds, mushrooms and wildlife.
All the half-day tours are suitable for all ages and abilities; backpackers, couples and families, including young children.
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
- 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 take you off the beaten track as much as they can safely, to discover hidden waterfalls and ‘dead’ ice, and lots of other 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
- Suitable level for beginners and all ages and abilities – a great family-friendly activity the kids will love
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: $90 per person – Child $45 (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: $80 per person – Child $40 (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.
Franz Josef Glacier Valley or Lake Matheson. $5 from each Early Bird Tour goes towards our Early Bird Project, a rodent-trapping project at Lake Matheson.
- Suitable level for beginners and all ages and abilities
Franz Josef Glacier - 2 Hour Tour
Price: $80 per person – Child $40 (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: $90 per person – Child $45 (Aged 4 to 15)
Tour Departs: 5:30 pm
Tour Duration: 3 Hours
- Learn about flora, fauna, glaciation, geology and natural history
- Well-formed track for easy walking
- Suitable level for beginners and all ages and abilities
- 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: $90 per person – Child $45 (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: $140 per person
Price: Child $70 (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: $190 per person
Price: Child $90 (Aged 12 to 15)A
Tour Departs: 9:00 am
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Experience amazing glacier, waterfall and mountain views, whilst walking in beautiful forest 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
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