Experience the Colossal Size and
Expanse of Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Nowhere else except New Zealand can tourists come so close to a real glacier, and a dynamic one at that. Fox Glacier in New Zealand’s Westland National Park is an immense yet active ice formation that travelers who love adventure will savor. It’s 13 kilometers long and ranges from the Southern Alps to New Zealand’s coast– and its elevation varies by about 2,600 meters at different points. That’s a difference of over 1.6 miles!

Reaching Fox Glacier New Zealand is not difficult for adventurers who are willing to take a five-mile walk from the nearby Weheka or Fox Glacier Village. About 1000 tourists do this every day, and you can join them– traveling either alone or with one of the numerous alpine guides in the area. The glacier can be visited in all seasons– even in the hottest summer months. Visitors will be in for the unique sight of a glacier bordered by verdant rainforests near the coast. So diverse is New Zealand’s terrain that these seemingly opposite geographic features can coexist side by side; this contrast is sure to amaze and delight.

The best times to visit Fox Glacier, New Zealand, are in good weather– when clouds do not obstruct the view– and in the morning. Clear New Zealand mornings are not necessarily followed by clear afternoons, so if you find yourself waking up to some great weather, seize the opportunity!

When you’re near the glacier, take care to stay behind the official barriers. Fox Glacier is one of the world’s most dynamic ice formations; it moves by about a meter every day. This movement is accompanied by masses of falling rocks and ice, which are a marvel to observe, but not to be struck by. To supplement the experience gained from traveling on foot, tourists can take flights to observe Fox Glacier and the nearby Franz Josef Glacier from above. While a tour on foot will give you an impression of the glacier’s immense height, observing it from a plane will show you just how vast a territory it covers.

Establishments such as Ivory Towers Hostel New Zealand abound in the glacier’s vicinity to accommodate the vast numbers of visitors, but sometimes rooms are difficult to find in times of peak tourism. Those interested in visiting Fox Glacier will be given an advantage by reserving their accommodations early.

The nearby Visitor Centre is a great place to visit to learn about Fox Glacier and the paths tourists can take to obtain the best views of it. The Visitor Centre also has interesting exhibits that will familiarize tourists with the amazing variety of flora and fauna they can expect in Fox Glacier’s vicinity. This is truly a wondrous area to visit on your New Zealand vacation!