Nature, Wildlife and Marine in Glacier Country

White Heron Sanctuary Tours

The only nesting nesting place of the famous White Heron in New Zealand.

West Coast Wildlife Centre

The West Coast Wildlife Centre is a unique and interactive experience that brings together nature, conservation, and wildlife all under one roof!

Roberts Point Track

A day hike to Roberts Point provides spectacular views of Franz Josef Glacier and the surrounding mountains.

Peters Pool

Enjoy the reflective views of the glacier valley and mountains on this short, easy walk to a small kettle lake – it’s a great option with children.

Okarito Trig Walk

1 hour 30 minutes return

Boardwalk over wetlands, bush walk, spectacular coastal and alpine views The Ōkārito Trig Walk is a gentle well-graded uphill track that leads to a 360-degree viewpoint with breath-taking views of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, snow-capped Southern Alps, forest, lagoons and beaches.

Okarito Kiwi Tours

Okarito Kiwi Tours are the only licensed operators in the South Island that can take you looking for kiwi in the wild, making this a once in a lifetime experience right here on the West Coast!

Okarito Kayaks

Okarito Kayaks is locally owned and offers expert, intimate and nature focused guided kayak trips, as well as rental of kayaks to explore independently, on Ōkārito Lagoon, New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland with ample birdlife.

Okarito Eco Boat Tours

Immerse yourself in the unique diversity of New Zealand’s largest wetland with our most popular trip, the Okarito Eco Tour. This intimate, small group tour takes you on an unforgettable journey aboard the Explorer Douglas which was custom built for the lagoon.

Lake Matheson Walk

Follow the track over the Clearwater suspension bridge, pass tall kahikatea and rimu to the jetty viewpoint. Here you will be greeted by magnificent mountain views reflected in the dark waters. Lake Matheson is famous for its stunning mirror-like reflections.

Lake Gault Track

A gradual climb on a historical tramping track through ancient podocarp forest provides panoramic views of Aoraki /Mount Cook. On a good day, you can see the mountain landscape reflected in Lake Gault.

HeliServices NZ Fox, Franz, Haast

HeliServices.NZ is an experienced helicopter flightseeing company providing you with a diverse range of South Island scenic helicopter flights and private charters in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine heights and coastal regions.

Hari Hari Coastal Walkway

8.3km

A mix of logging tramways, regenerating forests, and pack tracks, where you will pop out on the coast.

Like all West Coast beaches, the sand is constantly changing, so be cautious of this.

Glacier Valley Eco Tours

Glacier Valley Eco Tours offers a diverse range of small-group, guided nature walks for all ages and abilities in Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Okarito on the West Coast of New Zealand.

Gillespies Beach Walk

6.8km Return

Follow the Miners Tunnel Track from Gillespies Beach car park and campsite. Here you find the resting spot for seals in the winter.

Take care not to disturb the seals and never get between the seals and the sea.

Franz Wilderness Tours Boat/ Fishing Charter

Discover Lake Mapourika the scenic gem of the West Coast! Boat/ Fishing Tours depart at the iconic Jetty Bay, only 5 minutes from Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy Scenic Cruises and guided nature walks with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and many glaciers including the Franz Josef Glacier Neve. Lake Mapourika is home to native birds including the rare White Heron, drawn by the abundance of fish and eels in the lake.

Franz Wilderness Tours – Kayaks

Journey further in Franz Josef Glacier on one of these top-rated kayak tour adventures. Lake Mapourika’s calm water is located in an UNESCO World Heritage site, making it one of New Zealand’s finest kayaking destinations. Free photographs are included with each kayak tour.

Franz Josef Glacier Walk

Walk along a bush track to a viewpoint of the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face.

You must follow all signage and barriers.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides

Immerse yourself on a journey of discovery, in one of the most pristine places on Earth. The friendly and experienced guides will share their knowledge of the glacier region, leaving you with a whole new appreciation for Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier). After a short, thrilling flight over lush native rainforest, you will land on the Franz Josef Glacier, where your guide with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations, will lead you through the most awe-inspiring glacier scenery Aotearoa (New Zealand) has to offer.

Fox Glacier South Side Walk

This short loop track provides easy cycling and walking along the Fox River. Highlights include two viewing points for Fox Glacier and crossings of glacial moraine surfaces (glacial debris) that reflect the movement of the glacier over time.

Fox Glacier Guiding

Be prepared for sensory overload as you walk and explore the glacier with these awesome guides. From the feeling of sublime to the sense of awe, the sights, sounds, and feelings as you encounter this sea of ice delivers you a unique and magical lifetime experience.

Callery Gorge

The Callery Gorge Walk track narrows through the rainforest, and follows alongside an old gold mining water race. The water race and some rusty relics are among the last visual reminders of the gold mining era. The track then descends to the historic Callery Gorge bridge.

Alex Knob Track

The Alex Knob Track takes approximately eight hours return and climbs steadily through a variety of vegetation types with views of Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea.

Air Safaris

Air Safaris has operated alpine flight-seeing experiences in the world heritage national parks of Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini since 1970. The iconic Grand Traverse scenic flight provides the opportunity to view New Zealand’s highest peaks and longest glaciers. You can catch the Grand Traverse flight from either of Air Safaris’ modern facilities located at Lake Tekapo or Franz Josef in the South Island.