Franz Josef Glacier is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. It is one of Aotearoa’s most famous natural wonders and one of the few glaciers in the world that flows into native rainforests, creating a scene so striking it’s hard to look away.

The Māori name for the Glacier is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, which means "The tears of Hine Hukatere." The legend is that Hine Hukatere loved climbing in the mountains and convinced her lover Wawe to join her. Wawe didn’t have as much experience climbing mountains as Hine Hukatere, and one day, an avalanche swept Wawe to his death. Hine Hukatere was left broken-hearted, and her tears flowed down the mountain and then froze to form the Glacier.

Unfortunately, due to climate change, the glacier has retreated around 800m over the past eight years, making it just under 11km long and 3,000m high. So, if you've ever considered visiting Franz Josef Glacier, now is the time to do so!

How to get to Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef is located along State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island.

• Queenstown to Franz Josef – 350km (5.5 hours)

• Nelson to Franz Josef – 460km (6.5 hours)

• Fox Glacier to Franz Josef – 25km (15 minutes)

If you're travelling from Christchurch, the two locations don't look that far apart. However, they're separated by the Southern Alps, which run through the centre of the country, so you'll have to drive through Arthurs Pass, which will take around five hours.

The best ways to see Franz Josef Glacier

1. If you have the money to spend and would like the experience of a lifetime, a Glacier Heli Hike combines a short, exhilarating helicopter ride with jaw-dropping scenery and a two-and-a-half-hour hike through the most spectacular glacier features.

2. But if your budget didn’t quite stretch this far, you can still catch a glimpse of the glacier by walking to the glacier viewpoint. This is an easy 1.7km return walking track through beautiful rainforest, waterfalls and mountain peaks. At the end, you'll see Franz Josef Glacier in the distance.

Top tip: If you’re staying overnight in Franz Josef, stay at the Franz Josef Rainforest Retreat! The accommodation, staff, and restaurant there are phenomenal, and we can't wait to return.

Best accommodation in Franz Josef

If you’re staying overnight, I highly recommend Franz Josef Rainforest Retreat. The accommodation, staff, and restaurant are phenomenal, making it the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. I already can’t wait to go back!