Fox Glacier

Travel Guide
Fox Glacier showing forest scenes
Fly over a glacier in a helicopter, clamber over and through its ice mass, climb its walls of ice and see glow worms in one of New Zealand’s prime destinations.

Visit Fox Glacier to discover the breathtaking alpine scenery of the South Island’s west coast. The name Fox Glacier refers to both the glacier and little resort town that has sprouted up nearby.

Despite being so far south, Fox Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, along with the neighboring Franz Josef Glacier. That’s because of the nearby town and good roads. With a population of about 300, Fox Glacier revolves around tourism but the town also supports the local farming community. The scenic town sits about 2.5 hours to the southwest of Greymouth and 3.5 hours northeast of Wanaka.

Head the few miles to the west of town to see the natural marvel that is the Fox Glacier. Spanning 8 miles (13 kilometers) in length, the glacier drops 8,500 feet (2,600 meters), from high in the Southern Alps to just 980 feet (300 meters) above sea level, where it finishes amid lush forest.

Make the short hike up from the car parking lot to the glacier’s terminal face. See mounds of moraine under the ever-changing glacier wall. Huge chunks of ice can fall from this terminal point at any time without warning, mixed in with the debris carried down from the mountain by this mass of ice.

Get a more in-depth glacier experience by paying for a tour. A scenic helicopter flight is the easiest, but also priciest, way to see the spectacular ice formations. A heli-hike will get you onto the glacier, so you can climb and hike through the surreal landscape on spiky shoes with a guide. Ice climbing is available as an option for the fit and the brave too.

Don’t leave before taking in some of the other natural wonders around. Just to the west, Lake Matheson reflects the surrounding forest and Aoraki /Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in its mirror-like pool on still days. A short drive away, the Minnehaha Track is an atmospheric walk through moss-covered and gnarly trees mixed with lush ferns. Do the walk at night to spot glow worms in dark grottos.

Fox Glacier may feel remote and foreboding, but is surprisingly easy to reach and a marvel to explore.

Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motels
Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motels
2 out of 5
Kerrs Road, Fox Glacier
The price is S$87 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
S$87
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this motel in Fox Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest and Lake Gault are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (311 reviews)
"Nice spot"

Reviewed on 28 Mar,2024

Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motels
Bella Vista Motel Fox Glacier
Bella Vista Motel Fox Glacier
4 out of 5
55 Main Road SH6, Fox Glacier
The price is S$105 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
S$105
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified motel in Fox Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (475 reviews)
Nice Stay
"Comfortable stay in a nice motel located close to restaurants and facilities. Friendly owner who was helpful with local activities."

Reviewed on 17 Mar,2024

Bella Vista Motel Fox Glacier
The Westhaven Motel
The Westhaven Motel
3 out of 5
29 Main Road, State Highway 6, Fox Glacier
The price is S$124 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
S$124
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly motel in Fox Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (472 reviews)
"Hôtel tout à fait correct pour un court séjour de passage. Bien équipé. Peu d’interactions avec le personnel de l’hôtel, uniquement à la récupération des clés."

Reviewed on 8 Mar,2024

The Westhaven Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Punga Grove
Punga Grove
3 out of 5
Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (185 reviews)
"Excellent location. Clean and comfortable room."

Reviewed on 17 Mar,2024

Punga Grove
The Church at FOX
The Church at FOX
4 out of 5
5 Main Rd, Fox Glacier
Stay at this 4-star vacation home in Fox Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest and Lake Gault ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
"Everthing was perfect!"

Reviewed on 2 Mar,2024

The Church at FOX
Glenfern Villas
Glenfern Villas
4.5 out of 5
State Highway 6, Franz Josef Glacier
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (344 reviews)
Winderfull
"Spotless roomy had everything within villa & also washing facilities & driers near their reception Becky wonderful at reception wonderful area peacefully tranquil it's an amazing area.Air liquid gold all the trees,quiet.Loved it."

Reviewed on 18 Mar,2024

Glenfern Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Fox Glacier

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 41.666666666666664%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 8.333333333333334%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
15 Dec 2019

The town was effectively closed due to flooding

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Oct 2019

Nice town with lots of choice of accommodation and places to eat

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
24 Mar 2019

Disappointed- road to glacier was closed

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Mar 2019

Great to see easy access

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
12 Mar 2019

ok but boverpriced

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Mar 2019

Great helucopter trip to Fix Glacier