​Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) is one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders. Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the South Island’s West Coast, this 12 km long glacier descends from the Southern Alps to just 300 meters above sea level, making it one of the few glaciers in the world to end amid temperate rainforest .​

Known for its steep gradient, Franz Josef Glacier is the fastest moving glacier in New Zealand, with recorded movements of up to 5 meters per day . Visitors can experience the glacier through guided heli hikes, which offer access to the upper icefall and unique glacial features . For those preferring to stay grounded, several walking tracks provide stunning views of the glacier and surrounding landscapes.​

The glacier holds cultural significance as well; its Māori name translates to "The tears of Hine Hukatere," stemming from a legend about a woman whose tears of grief were frozen to form the glacier .​

Just around the corner you will also find Mount Gunn, a famous mountain for it's feature in a LOTR scene - "The beacons that run along The White Mountains from Gondor to Rohan are lit". These are the coordinates to a viewing point of the moutain - 43° 25.720'S 170° 10.105'E - view in Google maps