Fox Glacier: Travel Guide
The fast retreating Fox Glacier is a pearl of New Zealand's South Island's West Coast. Base yourself in the nearby Fox Glacier township and enjoy the best things to see and do in the area such as hiking or more adventurous scenic flight over the glacier. Read our travel guide on Fox Glacier, your must-include stop on your itinerary.
Traveling the West Coast area of New Zealand's South Island is so unique that it can steal your heart within a blink of an eye. Road tripping this remote region is one of the best things to do in the country, so make sure you put it on your New Zealand itinerary.
We know that New Zealand is the land of contrasts with so many places to see, but you cannot miss the rugged coastline, lush rainforests, alpine landscapes, all of which is wrapped in unpredictable weather that adds to the experience the touch of real adventure.
The true highlights of visiting this area are two well-accessible glaciers, Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier.
Even though Fox Glacier is often overshadowed by its more popular brother, we will not participate in the game of announcing which glacier is better and which one is worth visiting.
If you are in the area, unless you are on a tight schedule, you should see them both.
The Glacier Country, as locals like to call this stretch of land, is not only about observing the masses of ice and snow from a distance, but also about a destination that is rich in many adventure activities.
That's why you can take a leisure stroll to see the face of Fox Glacier when following Fox Glacier South Side Walkway, but travelers who want to try at least one adrenaline activity in New Zealand can opt for a scenic flight over the glaciers, or ice hiking.
Whether you decide on hiking (there have been recently some changes in the path you can follow), cycling or you will decide to see Fox Glacier from above, you've come to the right place.
In this travel guide, we would like to share everything you need to know before visiting Fox Glacier township and its shining star, Fox Glacier itself.
From the best things to do, where to stay, to how to get there, we've got you covered.
FOX GLACIER
Fox Glacier was named in 1872 after the visit of Sir William Fox, that was at that time the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Fox Glacier is one of the best accessible glaciers in the world, but sadly, it is also one of the fastest retreating glaciers.
Similar to Pastoruri Glacier in Peru, we visited a few years back, Fox Glacier hasn't been advancing since 2009, and its future is with the question mark.
Fox Glacier descends from the Southern Alps, from approximately 3000 meters.
On 13 kilometers, Fox Glacier dramatically looses 2600 meters, and its face is today something over 300 meters above sea level, in the ancient rainforests of the West Coast.
Fox Glacier feeds Fox River, and many centuries back, during the ice age, it advanced rapidly, created many depressions, and when it retreated again, many lakes were formed.
That's why it is not an overstatement to say that Fox Glacier formed the region's landscapes as not only lakes but also the valleys were carved by the powerful extending and shrinking mass of ice.
One of the most famous ones you should also visit when in the area was Lake Matheson.
BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN FOX GLACIER
Fox Glacier is a small township with only around 400 residents, and even though the nearby Franz Josef village is very similar, Franz Josef is much more developed in terms of tourism and services.
If you are looking for a pleasant and quiet(er) place to base yourself for exploring the area, the quintessential Fox Glacier might be the right choice.
Most of the activities in Fox Glacier are unsurprisingly closely connected with the glacier itself, but you can explore even the less known places in the area independently as well.
Here are the best things you can see and do in Fox Glacier.
HIKING & CYCLING TO SEE FOX GLACIER
For budget travelers, hiking was always activity number one in Fox Glacier. For a long time, Fox Glacier Valley Walk was the must-do thing in this destination, and it was also the thing we did.
Unfortunately, in 2019 the access road that led to numerous viewpoints was closed because of a massive landslide that caused significant damage to the trail.
As the safety of visitors in Fox Glacier is the most important concern, and it would be too difficult to rebuild the access road, today's travelers must use a different path to get the views of the glacier.
Today, the route you should take to get the best views of Fox Glacier is called Fox Glacier South Side Walkway. You will not get close to the glacier, and the views are surely not that great as from the former trail, but we should be grateful for what is available.
The trail leads through podocarp rainforest to the first viewpoint.
Until this point, you can travel on a bike, but the next viewing platform, approximately ten minutes away, is accessible only on foot.
This hike is 6.4 kilometers long return, and it should not take you more than two hours to finish. The starting point is two kilometers south from Fox Glacier township.
Cross the Fox River Bridge, and park your car on the left-hand side.
There is no better way to explore the area then with a naturalist guide if you want to know more about glacier's origin and nature.
HELI-HIKING
New Zealand is a mecca for adrenaline adventures, and Fox Glacier is a great place to try heli-hiking finally. From the viewpoints, it is hard to see how the glacier is diverse.
It is not only a monolithic mass of ice but also caves, crevasses, waterfalls, arches, and streams.
As the glacier is retreating, no experience is the same, and local, well-experienced guides will show you the best of the glacier in the safest way possible.
Heli-hiking is a popular activity as it includes both the scenic flight and you will also spend some time on the actual glacier.
So put on crampons, and set off exploring the raw beauty of Fox Glacier.
COPLAND TRACK
Only 26 kilometers from Fox Glacier township lies the trailhead of a popular multi-day hike of the area, Copland Track.
The walk is famous among locals, and foreign travelers on a strict schedule usually do not put this trek on an itinerary, but if you like going off-the-beaten-path, Copland Track might be the right choice.
Copland Track is an in and out hike, 18 kilometers one way.
At the end of the hike awaits newly rebuilt Welcome Flat Hut, and only five minutes from the hut is actually the main reason why so many eager hikers decide on hiking Copland Track.
Yes, the main reason why Copland Track is a must-do activity in the area is the natural hot pools that offer both fantastic relaxation and the views of mountain peaks in the distance.
SCENIC FLIGHT
Scenic flights over the Glacier Country are one of the activities people save money for, and it is often one of the most expensive things to do in New Zealand.
There is no reason to tell you otherwise, a scenic flight is not exactly a budget-friendly activity.
On the other hand, soaring above Franz Josef and Fox Glacier is a unique thing to do for the area, and it is undoubtedly worth your time and money.
Both glaciers are so renowned that even if you think you will not make it to the West Coast, it is possible to take a flight from Lake Tekapo and see the glaciers from the bird-eye perspective.
If you feel like your life needs spice up a bit, skydiving is also available in Fox Glacier township.
LAKE MATHESON
The only five-minute drive from Fox Glacier village will take you to Lake Matheson, which is often rated among one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand.
As we've already mentioned, Lake Matheson is the result of retreating Fox Glacier, but this is not why people are driven to the shores of this lake.
Lake Matheson is a famous mirror-like lake that offers fantastic photo opportunities of snow-capped mountains reflecting on the water surface.
It is possible to make a loop around the lake that will take you approximately an hour and a half.
GLOW WORMS
Even though the premium destination in New Zealand to watch glow worms is the Waitomo area on the North Island, especially the caves, you can do an independent walk here in Fox Glacier that is entirely free.
The eerie forest Minnehaha Walk is a short path through the mossy rainforest that is home to luminescent worms.
Bring a headtorch, but once you find a patch of glow worms, turn the light off and wait until your eyes adjust to the dark.
Soon, you will see the light produced by the larvae.
The trail is flat and very easy to follow. This twenty-minute walk will take you to a magical forest, so take your time and enjoy the feeling.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
GILLESPIE BEACH
As the whole time we lived in New Zealand we traveled in our campervan, Gillespie Beach was for us the place number one where to spend a night close to Fox Glacier township.
But Gillespie Beach is not only an accessible DOC campsite.
A pebble beach is also a place where travelers arrive to watch a beautiful sunset.
We really liked making a hot tea, wrapping ourselves in a blanket and sitting on a log watching the sun going down, hope you will too.
Our Tip: Even though this sounds super romantic, make sure to apply bug repellent otherwise the omnipresent sandflies will eat you alive.
WHERE TO STAY IN FOX GLACIER
Despite its size, Fox Glacier is a place where every traveler finds a hotel or hostel to stay according to a budget and travel style.
As New Zealand's top destinations are super-popular in the high season between December and March, we recommend making a reservation as soon as you know your travel plans.
We've handpicked three best accommodation options for every type of traveler.
Budget | Ivorytowers Backpacker Lodge - Wide range of accommodation from private rooms to dormitories, excellent facilities such as kitchen, sauna or hot tub, and friendly atmosphere. You will hardly find a better place to stay for such a low rate.
Mid-range | Lake Matheson Motel - Conveniently located motel surprise with modern decor. Rooms are neat and clean, and all the top attractions in the area are within driving distance.
Luxury | Distinction Fox Glacier - One of the best hotels on the West Coast is reasonably priced, and offers lovely accommodation just beneath the Southern Alps. This place is probably the right for you if you are looking for outstanding rooms and exceptional service.
HOW TO GET TO FOX GLACIER
Fox Glacier is a conveniently located stop on every West Coast itinerary that is best accessible by rental car.
As we loved the freedom to stop whenever we wanted, we would also recommend you rent a car or campervan for your New Zealand adventure.
On the other hand, if you are backpacking on a low budget or you just prefer getting around by public transport, Fox Glacier is one of those places where you can get by bus either from Nelson, Greymouth, nearby Franz Josef, or Wanaka and Queenstown.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
