One Day in Franz Josef, New Zealand

Franz Josef is a very small town on the west coast of New Zealand’s south island, with a local population of under one thousand residents. About a five hour drive from Queenstown, Franz Josef merits an overnight stay to get the most out of your trip – as even though it’s a small town, it packs a punch!

Our recommendation of the best things to do in Franz Josef includes: hiking to Franz Josef Glacier, a helicopter tour over Franz Josef Glacier, a walk around Lake Matheson, and a picnic at Peak View. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect during your visit!

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1. Hike the Franz Josef Glacier Trail

The namesake of the town, the Franz Josef Glacier is a sight you won’t want to miss. In all of our hikes in New Zealand, this one may have been my favorite. The Franz Josef Glacier Trail is not only easy (with an elevation of only about 85 feet | 25 meters), but hosts surprisingly diverse scenery!

While not actually a rain-forest, the start of the one mile (1600 meters) out & back trail will sure make you feel like you’re in one. The incredibly lush and full greenery surrounding the well-established path feels like a paradise. Once upon a time, the glacier actually ran all the way up to this graveled trail – but due to climate change has receded within the mountains.

As you round the bend of the trail and come up towards the rocky valley, you’ll come across large stone walls covered in fresh moss. I was obsessed with this moss. Still am.

I just couldn’t believe how brilliant the green looked against the gray backdrop, and how piercing it looked within the landscape. I don’t know why I fell in love with this moss, I don’t know if it’s normal to fall in love with moss, but I fell in love with this moss.

At the start of the valley there is a stone path for you to cross over the river of runoff without going through the water if you would like to take it. The rocks are sturdy, but as with all natural bridges be sure to tread lightly as they may be slippery when wet.

The valley leading up to the glacier is completely open and full of small stones, some of which had been carried down by the glacier & strong weather. The walking path is flat and hikers of all agers are able to enjoy the journey.

Highlighting again just how diverse the scenery is on this trail, streams of waterfalls pour down the sides of the valley and form small rivers that run through the rocks.

At the end of the trail there’s a small incline to a rocky landing where you can better view the Franz Josef Glacier.

And then finally at the end of the path you’ll get to see the glacier up close! From here you can stop and take photos and then turn around to head back to the carpark. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it from the amount of photos I’ve included in this post, but it really is quite a short hike and only takes about 20 minutes of travelling in each direction.

2. Take a Helicopter Tour & Hike on Franz Josef Glacier

Alright – if you get the opportunity to participate in this next activity, please don’t take it for granted! I’ve officially tried to hike on a glacier twice now (once in Argentina, once here in Franz Josef) and came up empty both times due to inclement weather. So if you’re able to plan ahead, make sure to prioritize sunny days for your stay in Franz Josef!

On this “heli-hike” tour, you will get to fly in a helicopter over the beautifully scenic mountains in the area, and touch down on the Franz Josef glacier itself. From there, you will get to enjoy a guided group tour over & through the ice while experiencing the glacier from a perspective like no other – from the ever-changing glacier itself!

Heli Hike Tour

If this will be your first time either in a helicopter or walking on a glacier, worry not! While our hike did ultimately get cancelled, we did make it far enough through the training process to feel how safe & capable the staff are. Before your flight, you will have to arrive early in order to participate in training. Your guide will show you safety videos & explain the proper way to board and travel in a helicopter. They will also fit you in all appropriate hiking equipment (included with the tour) and assign your flight seats in advance.

While most tours run smoothly, the most common cause of cancellation is poor flying conditions. The morning of our tour, the fog never burned off and the visibility was too low to risk flying in a helicopter. Since safety always comes first, we were offered the opportunity to reschedule our flight to the next day or receive a complete refund. Since we weren’t able to stay, please please please tell me how you enjoyed this adventure in the comments if you’re able to go!

3. Hike Around Lake Matheson

Only a half-hour drive from the town of Franz Josef, another beautifully scenic trail awaits you: Lake Matheson. This glacial lake features a 2.7 mile (4.3 km) easy loop trail with views of the famous Mount Cook and Mount Tasman peaks! Part of the trail is shaded by foliage, but there are also several stunning lookouts to the lake as well.

Lake Matheson also hosts a small gift shop that would be great to pick up a few souvenirs from to remember your trip to New Zealand by.

4. Picnic at Peak View Lookout

If you have time, we recommend packing yourself a picnic and stopping at the Peak View Point Lookout on your ride back from Lake Matheson. The picnic area is only a six minute drive up Cook Road from the lake, and you’ll be able to enjoy clear views of Mount Cook’s peak from there!

Though a small town, Franz Josef offers insight into some of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations. We hope you have a great trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you see Franz Josef Glacier without a tour? Yes! The hike to Franz Josef Glacier can be done completely on your own, no tour necessary. The carpark for the trail is public – and the hike is free! However, if you would like to hike on the glacier itself, that will require a guided heli-hike tour.
2. What is the best way to see Franz Josef Glacier? In my experience, I found the walking trail to Franz Josef Glacier to be extremely scenic & enjoyable. However, it only allows you to view a small portion of the actual glacier. If you would like a greater experience with the glacier itself, I’d recommend hiking on the ice!
3. How many days should you spend in Franz Josef? While surrounded by gorgeous scenery, the town of Franz Josef itself is quite small – you should be able to see all of the big attractions in just one full day!

Where To Stay

Wondering where to stay for your night in Franz Josef? Check out the locations below based on what travel style is best for you!

• Budget Hostel: Haka House Franz Josef
• Popular Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
• Vacation House: Franz Josef Treetops

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