Please take care, keep left, and keep your speed down. Most of the walking tracks are accessed from the car-park at the end of this 4km road. From the highest mountains, largest glaciers, rainforests dramatic beaches and everything in between – Glacier Country ticks all the boxes. Ice collapse and rock fall can occur at any time at the terminal face of the glacier, and for this reason do not proceed beyond the rope barrier.
Glacier Helicopters
However, since April 2012 all glacier walks require a helicopter flight past the unstable terminal face. Glacier walks also require some specialised equipment, namely ice axes and crampons that latch onto a sturdy boot. These are usually provided by tour companies. Having retreated several kilometres between the 1940s and 1980s, the glacier entered an advancing phase in 1984 and at times has advanced at the phenomenal (by glacial standards) rate of 70 cm a day. The flow rate is about 10 times that of typical glaciers. Like the Fox Glacier, it descends from the Main Divide at over 3000 m above sea level down to the temperate rain forest of the West Coast region of South Island. Reached by a gravel road from Highway 6 and then a walk over the braided river plain, it is also popular with tourists. Access to the glacier terminus is restricted by ropes and warning notices, on account of the natural hazards in this area, but guided parties are given access to the glacier. Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
I visited Franz Josef a few weeks ago & found it breathtaking.
Franz Josef Glacier area has some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand.
Glacier landings are our specialty.
The Franz Josef Glacier offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial environment, in a temperate environment, while being within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway.
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Charter flights are available and can vary from 20 minutes to several hours duration. britz campervan new zealand depart from Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Our flights encompass the Mount Cook National Park, and both Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Glacier landings are our specialty. The ice surface here is a maze of intersecting crevasses and séracs. This glacier also flows down into rain forest, but its snout is relatively inaccessible. This image gives a broader view of converging flow units and Franz Josef Glacier tongue as far as the snout in the gloom of the rain forest and beyond. I believe that travelers should minimize their negative impact on others, and I found that the presence of helicopters in the valley detracted from the quiet of the experience for everyone else. The walk from the carpark to the face of the Franz Josef Glacier is beautiful – but quite long. discovery campervan can take almost an hour if you take your time and enjoy the surroundings. For visitors to this glacier region of New Zealand, on the west coast of the South Island, there are a few must-sees.