All Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Tours & Excursions in 2026

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a helicopter flight above ice falls, snowfields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snowfield to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the maritime glacier. This helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

The Fox Glacier is widely considered among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but it’s impossible to appreciate its beauty from ground level. On this tour, take to the skies by helicopter for panoramic views over the glacier, and trek deep into the icy wilderness with your guide—where the forces of nature work their magic. With safety kit and crampons included, see the best of the Fox Glacier up-close.

Add a bit of mystery to your day when you opt for the pilot’s choice glacier tour. Fly deep into the Southern Alps and over Franz Josef Glacier, admiring views that you can’t get from the ground. Then, depending on the day’s conditions and your pilot’s judgment, fly over Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier, and into the Southern Alps for a snow landing and special photo opportunity.

Enjoy views of Jurassic-era rainforests, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains reflected on calm Lake Mapourika on this small-group boat cruise on the lake. Visit a kiwi conservation area and learn more about New Zealand’s native bird. You’ll cruise for around two hours so bring some snacks or a bottle of wine to drink as you relax and take in the beauty of the West Coast.

Visit both the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier on a single tour on this flight tour that includes a snow landing. Depart from either Franz Josef or Fox villages, to suit your plans. Get up close to the blue ice of these mammoth glaciers and snap unbelievable aerial and ground-level photos. Learn about the glaciology and environment of the area through your pilot's guided commentary.

Learn about the New Zealand native bird, the kiwi, with admission to the Franz Josef Wildlife Center. Tour the largest kiwi hatching facility on the South Island and opt to include a Backstage Pass Tour, where you'll get 30 minutes of access behind the scenes. Your ticket also includes access to the West Coast storytelling areas and an interactive glacier exhibition. Buy your passes in advance to guarantee your admission to this popular attraction, great for all weather and all times of year.

The Westland Tai Poutini National Park has been shaped by the flow and freezing of water over millennia. Experience the park’s ancient pathways up close with a quad bike ride over the lush landscape on this off-road adventure tour. Take in sights of the distant Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier as you ford shallow rivers and sped through dense rainforests.

Enjoy the amazing natural scenery around the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier with this nature-focused tour. Starting out in the town of Franz Josef, drive to the glacier car park and then head off into the forest. Learn about the local environment, as your guide provides lots of information about glaciology, geology, geomorphology, flora & fauna and more.

Explore the serene waters of Lake Mapourika on this kayak adventure from Franz Josef town. Paddle with your guide out onto Lake Mapourika, avoiding the risk of getting lost and learning about the landscape and geology as you go. Enjoy uninterrupted views and marvel at the reflective views of the Southern Alps. Head into a kiwi sanctuary in a protected estuary and explore some of the country’s oldest untouched rainforest.t.

Hike the Fox Glacier Valley on a guided small-group walking tour that explores glaciology, geology, local plants, and animals. Walking alongside a local guide is a great way to learn the natural history of Fox Glacier and the surrounding mountains. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the area than you would by sticking to the paved roads.

Skydive over Franz Josef Glacier for a spectacular freefall with views of soaring mountains, ice fields, and the rugged coast. A tandem jump with an instructor takes the indecision away. When the decision is made to jump, you’ll enjoy the feeling of a thrilling freefall at around 120 miles (200 kilometers) per hour before floating above the beautiful landscape.

Appreciate the majesty and scale of Franz Josef and Fox glaciers from the air during a 30-minute helicopter flight and snow landing. Enjoy aerial views over both glaciers from your prime position in the sky, and hear live commentary from the pilot before landing atop one of the glaciers. Then hop out to get a better view of one of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.

Explore beyond the glacier at Franz Josef with a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika. See the snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake on a calm, clear day, as you cruise across the lake to a hidden nature trail through the ancient, untouched rainforest. Visit a kiwi sanctuary and look out for other birds along the way.

The rugged peaks, wild glacial valleys, and frozen rivers of the Fox Glacier are even more impressive from above and a helicopter flight offers an unbeatable viewpoint. Hop aboard for a scenic helicopter ride, gaze out over the magnificent landscapes, then enjoy a thrilling snow landing overlooking the glacier.

Traveling with us offers a range of exceptional features designed to enhance your journey. Enjoy entertaining driver commentary that adds a delightful touch to your trip, making it both informative and fun. Our premium coach comes equipped with an onboard toilet for your convenience, ensuring you travel comfortably without unnecessary stops. Relax in our leather reclining seats, providing a luxurious and comfortable experience. Stay connected with free WIFI and onboard USB charging docks, so you can keep your devices powered throughout the journey. Additionally, we offer plenty of luggage storage, ensuring that you can bring along everything you need without any hassle.

Discover the natural wonders of Lake Mapourika on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle across the lake's glassy waters against a backdrop of the Southern Alps, then hike through the ancient Jurassic age rainforest of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Lake Mapourika is conveniently located a short distance from Franz Josef village, making this an easy excursion to fit in before or after glacier viewing.

Land atop Fox Glacier during a 30-minute helicopter tour, narrated by an experienced alpine pilot. Watch snowfields and ice formations come into view as you hover above the glacier, then land in the snow above the icefalls at the top. Your scenic aerial tour takes in the majestic Southern Alps, with impressive views of Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking one of the glaciers. You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that you can’t get any other way.

Take in the truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is a snow landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery.

See more mountains and glaciers from the air on a scenic 45-minute helicopter ride than you can from the ground at Franz Josef. You’ll fly deep into the Southern Alps, where you’ll see Mount Cook and three major glaciers: Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman. Land on the snow for an up-close encounter and to take some unique photos.

There’s an easier way of getting great views of the South Island than climbing Aoraki Mt. Cook: a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). Meet at the convenient central meeting place in Franz Josef, then board your flight. Take a window seat to enjoy the view before strapping to your instructor and enjoying the dive from the plane.

Get aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier on this seriously scenic helicopter flight, including a 2-minute snow landing. Take fantastic photos of the pinnacles and sheer crevasses as you pass parts of the glacier and mountains you couldn’t access any other way. Multiple departure times throughout the day make for a flexible outing, and you'll learn more about the national park and its mountains as you fly above them.

Make the most of a travel day without needing to self-drive with this handy small-group service between Franz Josef and Christchurch. Travel the first part of the journey by vehicle, stopping along the West Coast at interesting and scenic spots. At Greymouth, board the TranzAlpine train to travel across the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Enjoy the spaciousness, personal headsets, dining cart, and viewing carriages on the train.