Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier is a tiny hamlet in the West Coast region, which is fabled for its thick forests, winding roads, and the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. With just 300 inhabitants, Fox Glacier isn’t a village you’ll remember for its liveliness, but it forms a great base to discover the stunning expanses around it.

One of the major natural attractions in Fox Glacier’s surroundings is Lake Matheson, which is loved for its mirror views of iconic peaks such as Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on clear days. Around Lake Matheson, you’ll find a walking trail with several viewpoints and chances of spotting endemic birds such as pukeko and New Zealand wood pigeon - or kereru.

Fox Glacier walks are in popular demand, and the Fox Glacier South Side Walkway is one of the most well-known. This track follows the Fox river and age-old forests, while you’ll have panoramic views of the glacier itself.

Tramping through the wilderness isn’t the only way to get close-up with the majestic Fox Glacier. During a Fox Glacier Heli Hike, you’ll be brought to the heart of this icecap by helicopter, after which you get to discover a magical maze of cracks, caves, and tunnels. 

In case you’re in for a more leisure experience, it’s possible to join a Fox Glacier scenic flight and snow landing as well. The helicopter lands on the snowy part of Fox Glacier, from where the vistas of Mount Cook, the Southern Alps, and even the Tasman Sea are unrivalled.  

This region has many mountains covered with glacial masses, and the two most significant happen to be almost next to each other: Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. To get the best aerial perspectives, hop on a twin glacier scenic flight and see both mammoth ice tongues from the skies.

Fox Glacier to Mount Cook scenic flights are worth it during any season since New Zealand’s highest summit is always covered in snow and the appearance of the alpine scenery is quite overwhelming.

There are so many unique landscapes to look forward to when travelling to Fox Glacier, and it’s quite hard to get bored!