Fox & Franz Josef Glacier Tours & Activities

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are two of the most accessible glaciers on earth, descending from the Southern Alps into temperate rainforest inside Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Our Fox and Franz Josef Glacier tours cover heli hikes, ice climbing, kayaking, quad biking and skydiving across both glacier towns.

Onto the Ice with Heli Hikes and Ice Climbing

The only way to properly walk on either glacier these days is by helicopter, since the ice has retreated well up the valley. The Glacier Heli Hike and Flying Fox Heli Hike both land walkers on the upper ice for a guided route through crevasses and ice caves, while the Glacier Heli Ice Climb and Fox Glacier Guiding and Heli Ice Climbing add crampons and an ice axe for anyone keen to climb rather than just walk.

Water and Land Adventures Around the Glaciers

Not every glacier experience needs a helicopter. The Franz Josef Classic Kayaking tour and Franz Josef Scenic Cruise both stay at ground level, and the Cruise of Lake Mapourika and Guided Walk pairs a paddle with rainforest walking nearby. The Franz Josef Quad Bike Tour covers the surrounding farmland and river flats, while the Guided Kayak Tour and Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary Walk combines paddling New Zealand's largest unmodified coastal wetland with a chance to spot kiwi in the wild.

Skydiving Above the Glaciers

For a different view of Fox and Franz Josef entirely, the Tandem Skydive over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier at 10,000ft and its 13,000ft and 16,500ft options all put both glaciers below your feet on the way down, while the Skydive Franz Josef 18,000ft Kea Jump pushes the freefall time to the longest on offer.

Getting Here from Queenstown

Fox and Franz Josef sit a full day's drive north of Queenstown along the West Coast, and several tours cover the journey as part of the trip. The Queenstown to Fox Glacier and Franz Josef to Queenstown routes link the two regions by road, while the Grand Traverse from Franz Josef offers a scenic flight option over the same terrain instead.

Why Book Your Fox and Franz Josef Glacier Tour with Everything New Zealand

We are your local travel partner across the West Coast, not the operator, so we only list glacier tours we would genuinely recommend to family and friends. Compare heli hikes, kayaking, quad biking and skydiving side by side, book online in a few minutes and get instant confirmation. Less scrolling, more strolling, straight onto the ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still walk directly onto Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier? No, both glaciers have retreated too far up their valleys for safe ground access, so a helicopter landing is now required for any guided walk or ice climb on either glacier.

What is the difference between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier tours? Both glaciers offer similar heli hikes and ice climbing, though Fox Glacier is generally paired with Lake Matheson's reflections of Aoraki Mount Cook, while Franz Josef has more kayaking and quad biking options nearby.

Is Okarito worth visiting near Franz Josef? Yes, Okarito is home to New Zealand's largest unmodified coastal lagoon and one of the more reliable places on the West Coast to spot kiwi in the wild.

How far is Fox and Franz Josef from Queenstown? It is roughly a full day's drive from Queenstown to either glacier town along the West Coast, though scenic flight options can cover the same route in a fraction of the time.

What is the highest skydive altitude available at Franz Josef? The Skydive Franz Josef 18,000ft Kea Jump is the highest altitude option, giving the longest freefall over both glaciers.