Franz Josef and Fox Glacier – Free sightseeing

Want to see Franz Josef and Fox Glacier without paying for a helicopter tour? 

Here are three scenic stops you can do by car and on foot (or just on foot if you want a lot of steps):

1. Franz Josef Glacier Car Park (car park = parking lot in New Zealand) 

Start here for easy access to multiple short walks with glacier views. Walk through lush rainforest and rivers to reach Peter’s Pool, a perfectly reflective lake. Oh and don’t miss Trident Falls at the end of the Glacier Viewpoint trail. 

If you’re up for a longer hike, Robert’s Point Track and Alex Knob Track offer more dramatic views, but they’re tougher and take a lot longer.

2. Te Kopikopiko o te Waka (Fox Glacier Viewpoint)

This one of the most accessible viewpoints of Fox Glacier and Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (the Southern Alps). The viewpoint is rich in cultural storytelling, with carvings that reflect local Māori legends.

You can also do the Minnehaha Walk (a short forest walk), the Fox Glacier Valley Walk, and the South Side Walkway, both take you closer to the glacier.

3. Lake Matheson

Just a short drive from Fox Glacier, this lake is famous for its perfect reflections of Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Horokoau/Mt. Tasman. The full Te Ara Kairaumati Walk is about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip and has multiple viewpoints, but the first viewpoint comes after about 25 minutes. 

Bonus: there’s a great café near the parking lot for a post hike meal with views.

None of these require a helicopter but they all offer unforgettable glacier views, yes, even if @whereswesam isn’t there with you. 

Which one would you go to first?