Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier village is in "Glacier Country" on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Tucked discreetly into the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, it has a stunning outlook across surrounding farms and offers breathtaking views of New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The tiny township was founded from a gold strike which soon petered out, and it now mostly serves as a base for visitors to its large icy namesake. There's a quiet, intimate village atmosphere compared to the other glacier town, Franz Josef.

See: 9
Do: 13
Eat: 8
Drink: 4
Buy: 3

Banner: Derived from Steve & Jem Copley, CC BY-SA 2.0

Experiences

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Timed, planned outings built around a specific moment: a sunset, a view, a walk worth doing in order.

Evening
Golden Hour at Lake Matheson
Catch the reflection of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in the dark waters of Lake Matheson as the sun sets, then warm up with dinner and a drink nearby.
15 Apr · 90 min
Daytime
Morning Light on the Fox
Start your day early to catch the glacier in its clearest light, before the tours fill up.
none · 180 min
Sunset
Golden Light on the Glacier
Catch the last warm rays of the day reflecting off the ice, then settle in for the evening.
20:38 · 95 min
Daytime
Fox Glacier Daytime Plan
A quiet morning drive to the peaks, a simple lunch stop, and a final look before heading back.
none · 240 min
Sunrise
Sunrise at Gillespies Beach
Start before dawn on the unsealed road to Gillespies Beach to catch the first light over the Tasman Sea.
15 Jan · 90 min
Evening
Golden Hour at the Chalet
Time your visit for the late afternoon glow. The Chalet Lookout offers a rewarding trek just as the light turns soft and golden, perfect for an evening start.
sunset · 135 min