Fox and Franz Glaciers

The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers on the West Coast of the South Island are spectacular natural wonders that you must check out if you’re anywhere near the area. It's often said they are the fastest flowing, most accessible glaciers in the world. The Fox Glacier, fed by several mountain glaciers and snow nevè (catchment) areas, falls 2,600 metres on its 13 km journey and ends in a lush rainforest 300m above sea level. The Franz Josef is similar to Fox and stretches for 12 km as it makes its way to towards the West Coast from its mountain perch. Since 1984, both glaciers have been going through a period of growth - unlike most glaciers around the world, which are shrinking as the world’s climate changes. Frans Josef has grown as fast as 70cm per day, while neighbouring Fox Glacier has shown similar growth. Franz Josef is also fed by a large nevè area of snow from the above mountains.

Today the booming tourist industry sees thousands of people visit each glacier every day. The small townships at the base of Frans Josef and Fox glaciers are only 22 km apart and are the major attractions on the winding West Coast road. The Glaciers are part of the South Westland World Heritage Area.

You can check out the glaciers on your own, or take a guided tour over them. Depending on your fitness and bank balance there are several options - from guided half-day walks, to full on, full day climbs using crampons and ice axes. Guides are a wealth of information, and they can guide you through the best paths that have specially carved steps into the ice. Ice tunnels can be explored, along with other details of this fascinating natural phenomenon.