Things to do in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
The unmissables
Most booked
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike: Helicopter access to ice maze★ 4.60 (659) · 4h
Top rated
Lake Mapourika kayak tour near Franz Josef Glacier★ 4.91 (410) · 3h
Best value
Heli Hike Fox Glacier: Helicopter Access to Ice Caves★ 4.88 (599) · 4h
Recommended (7)
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Snow Landing 35min★ 4.79 (397) · 35mNZ$ 495View ›
Franz Josef: Quad Bike Off-Road Adventure & Glacier Views★ 4.91 (364) · 2hNZ$ 170View ›
Franz Josef Glacier: 25-Min Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing★ 4.90 (240) · 25mNZ$ 395View ›
Helicopter Flight Franz Josef: 25-Min Alpine Landing★ 4.84 (227) · 25mNZ$ 395View ›
Franz Josef: Wildlife Centre Ticket & Kiwi Backstage Pass★ 4.65 (206) · 1h–2hNZ$ 65View ›
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing★ 4.64 (188) · 35mNZ$ 497View ›
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing★ 4.81 (159) · 35mNZ$ 497View ›Top rated (7)
Franz Josef: Lake Cruise & Private Rainforest Walk AccessYou’ll board a small boat at Franz Josef, glide across quiet water into an ancient rainforest only accessible on this tour, walk among giant trees with a local guide who shares stories about conservation and native wildlife, then finish with fresh tea or coffee beside the lake. It’s peaceful, sometimes muddy, always real—you’ll remember how alive it all feels.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Flight with Snow LandingYou board a helicopter in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, fly over both glaciers' blue ice and snow-covered peaks, and land on the snowfields for a few minutes on the ground. The thirty-minute flight includes a pre-flight safety briefing and views of the névé catchment areas where decades of winter snow compress into moving ice. Departures are weather-dependent and subject to minimum passenger numbers.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see both glaciers and land on snow in one flight without a full day commitment. The thirty-minute duration means you're back on the ground by early afternoon, which works if you're moving between towns or have other plans the same day.
Franz Josef: Lake Mapourika Kayak & Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary WalkYou’ll kayak across Lake Mapourika’s mirror-like surface, guided by a local who knows every corner of Franz Josef’s wild backyard. Walk ancient rainforest trails inside Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, pause for coffee with glacier views, and maybe catch a glimpse of kiwi tracks along the way. It’s peaceful in a way that stays with you long after you leave.
Franz Josef Glacier: Nature Walk & Rainforest with GuideYou walk through ancient rainforest toward Franz Josef Glacier's terminal face, stopping 2000 meters short due to safety. Your guide explains glaciology, local history, and points out wild orchids and mushrooms along the way. Wet-weather gear and boots are included, and small groups keep the experience personal rather than crowded.Is it for me?Right for nature lovers and families who want to understand the glacier and rainforest ecosystem without technical climbing or ice-walking. The walk is at your pace through uneven forest terrain, so plan for steady footing and wet conditions—that's what lets the guide stop and explain the orchids, mushrooms, and glacial history without rushing.
Fox Glacier: 25-Minute Helicopter Flight & Snow LandingYou fly 25 minutes above Fox Glacier and the West Coast region, then land on the Neve for photos and alpine views. A professional guide travels with you, handling the flight and the landing so you focus on the landscape. The whole experience is weather-dependent but runs year-round, and you're back in Fox Glacier Township within the hour.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Fox Glacier from above and actually stand on it, without arranging your own transport or timing — the helicopter handles both, and the fixed 25-minute flight means you know exactly what you're getting.
Franz Josef helicopter tour with 3 glaciers & snow landingThe Ultimate Discovery is a 45-minute helicopter tour from Franz Josef that flies over three glaciers—Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman—and includes a 10–15 minute snow landing in the Southern Alps with views of Mount Cook. The flight is operated by a husband-and-wife team and includes an experienced pilot, safety briefing and all fees. Allow an extra 45 minutes for check-in, transport to the helicopter and return to the office.Is it for me?Land on snow in the Southern Alps and see all three major glaciers—Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman—in one flight without the hassle of multiple transfers.
Lake Mapourika: Small Scenic Cruise & Rainforest WildlifeYou’ll glide across Lake Mapourika with a local skipper, sipping hot drinks as you watch for native birdlife along lush rainforest shores. Explore a kiwi conservation area and hear stories about glaciers and West Coast life. The quiet moments—and those mountain reflections—stick with you long after you step off the boat.
Lowest price (7)
Fox Glacier Rainforest Walk & Mountain Views, New ZealandYou walk through lush rainforest in Westland Tai Poutini National Park for views of Fox Neve and Mt Tasman, with a guide explaining the geology, glaciation and native flora along the way. A tea break is included partway through. The tour skips the glacier's terminal face for safety reasons but covers the upper glacier and surrounding peaks instead. Gear — umbrellas, poles, wet weather jackets — is provided, and the walk operates in all conditions, so dress for rain.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Fox Glacier area without arranging your own transport or figuring out which public tracks to use — the guide handles the route and the timing, which is what makes a full morning in the rainforest possible without getting lost or doubling back.
Fox Glacier Helicopter: 20-Min Flight & Snow LandingYou fly from Fox Glacier town heliport to the glacier's icefall, land on the snowfield for twenty minutes, and photograph the crevasses and pinnacles from ground level. Pre-flight safety briefing is included, and you're back on the ground inside an hour total. No experience needed — this is the entry-level glacier flight, which is exactly what makes it work for most people.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in the Fox Glacier area who want to see the glacier from above and stand on it without a full-day trek. Twenty minutes in the air means you fit it around other plans, and the snow landing is what separates this from a scenic flight — you're not just looking, you're landing.
Franz Josef Tandem Skydive 13,000ft with TransfersTake off from Franz Josef for a tandem skydive over glaciers, rainforests, lakes, and ocean views. Gear up with provided equipment and let your local instructor handle every detail—from airport transfer to safe landing—for an adrenaline rush you’ll keep replaying in your mind.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Scenic Flight with Snow LandingYou board a helicopter from Fox Glacier or Franz Josef, fly over both glacier systems with views of blue ice and snowfields, and land on the snow for 30 minutes to walk around. The flight includes a pre-flight safety briefing and departs on a fixed schedule — book the time that fits your day, and weather permitting, you're in the air within hours of arrival.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both glaciers without splitting your day between two separate trips, and you're flexible with timing since weather can shift departures by hours or a day.
Fox Glacier & Mount Cook Helicopter Flight Snow LandingA 35-minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier that crosses the Southern Alps, passes Mount Cook's west face, and includes a snow landing where you step onto the glacier itself. The flight covers glacial icefalls, crevasses and neves, with views stretching from the coast to mountain peaks. A professional pilot flies year-round, weather permitting, and the experience includes photo time on the snow.Is it for me?The flight is a fixed 35 minutes in the air with a snow landing built in, so there's no waiting for conditions or negotiating time on the glacier—you land, step out, photograph and return on schedule. Book this if you want Mount Cook and the glacier in a single morning or afternoon without arranging transport to the base.
Skydiving Franz Josef: 18,000ft over glaciers & Mount CookYou jump tandem at 18,000 feet over Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and the Tasman Sea, with 85 seconds of freefall while your instructor handles the parachute. All gear, helmet and gloves are provided, plus a shared transfer from the booking office to the airport. The whole experience takes three hours, and weather determines whether your booked date runs or gets rescheduled.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting the highest skydive in New Zealand with mountains and glaciers as the backdrop, and who can commit to moderate fitness and flexible dates — weather determines when you jump, which is what keeps the views this good.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: 60-Min Helicopter with 2 Snow LandingsYou fly over four glaciers in 60 minutes with two included snow landings—one for photos, one on the Shackleton Glacier with Mount Cook views. The helicopter departs from Franz Josef, and the full experience including check-in and transport takes about two hours. All fees and taxes are included, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to and from the pad.Is it for me?Book this if you want to land on a glacier and stand on snow without arranging the logistics yourself—the operator handles transport, timing, and weather decisions, which is what makes two landings possible in a single morning or afternoon.
