NZ · West Coast · 43.39°S 170.18°E

franz josef

Rainforest walks, glacier-valley views and helicopter trips onto the ice.

Best time
November–April has longer days and milder weather. It rains a lot here all year, and helicopter flights depend on cloud and wind in every season.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly to Christchurch with one stop, usually via Singapore or Auckland, about 13–16 hours all in. The drive over Arthur's Pass takes about 5–5.5 hours; from Queenstown it's about 5 hours via Haast. New Zealand is 4 hours ahead of KL, 5 during daylight saving (late September to early April).
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NZ · West Coastfranz josef43.39°S 170.18°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Rainforest walks, glacier-valley views and helicopter trips onto the ice.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingFranz JosefNZ, West Coast
KLfranz josef
≈ 8,539 km from KL, as the crow flies
Franz Josef village and valley from Alex Knob, with the river bed of Waiho River clearly visible in the valley below.

Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Franz Josef / Waiau is a small rainforest town under the Southern Alps, and a base for glacier flights and valley walks. The glacier has retreated far up its valley, so on foot it's a distant view; to stand on the ice, you go by helicopter.

Makan

  1. Whitebait fritterTiny West Coast fish set in egg, a spring speciality.Map ↗
  2. Hot soup and breadA warming café lunch is the right answer to a wet West Coast day.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Glacier valley walkA short rainforest walk to a viewpoint looking up the valley to the glacier.Map ↗
  2. Heli-hikeA helicopter drops you on the ice for a guided walk among blue crevasses and ice caves, weather permitting.Map ↗
  3. Tatare TunnelsA forest walk to old gold miners' water tunnels; bring a torch and expect wet feet.Map ↗
  4. Lake MapourikaA dark, still lake just north of town, good for a guided kayak.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book a glacier flight for your first morning and keep a spare day; low cloud often grounds them.
  • Halal food is scarce on the West Coast, so stock up in Christchurch or Queenstown.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.