If you’re planning 2 days in Franz Josef, you’re really going to witness some spectacular views. The township of Franz Josef is small, but the surrounding landscape is dramatic, rainforest, braided rivers, and two famous glaciers within easy driving distance. Most travelers focus only on Franz Josef Glacier, but if you structure your time well, you can easily combine Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in one itinerary without feeling rushed. Here’s exactly how to spend 2 days in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, New Zealand.
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Table of Contents
- Where is Franz Josef?
- How to Get to Franz Josef
- Is Franz Josef Worth the Drive?
- What is the Best Time to Visit Franz Josef?
- Franz Josef vs. Fox Glacier
- Is 2 Days in Franz Josef Enough?
- How to Spend 2 days in Franz Josef (and Fox Glacier)
- Where to Stay in Franz Josef
- Where to Stay in Fox Glacier
- Where to Eat in Franz Josef
- FAQ: 2 Days in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
- Tips for Visiting Franz Josef
- Pin this post for later!
Where is Franz Josef?
Franz Josef is a small township on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, located within Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
It sits roughly:
- 5 hours from Queenstown
- 4.5–5 hours from Christchurch (via Arthur’s Pass)
- 30 minutes north of Fox Glacier
- 2.5 hours north of Haast
- 4 hours from Wanaka
The town is built at the base of Franz Josef Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in the world in terms of proximity to sea level.
Geographically, this area is unique because you can stand in temperate rainforest and look directly at glacier ice descending from the Southern Alps. I’ve been to 60 countries now and honestly don’t think I’ve seen anything like this before. You see glaciers and expect it to be cold but you are also standing in the middle of a rain forest! That contrast is what makes 2 days in Franz Josef feel so different from other South Island stops.
How to Get to Franz Josef
If you’re planning 2 days in Franz Josef as part of a South Island road trip, driving is by far the best option.
Driving to Franz Josef
From Queenstown (approx. 5 hours)
Drive via Wanaka and Haast Pass. This is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand, with waterfalls, mountain passes, and river valleys.
From Christchurch (approx. 4.5–5 hours)
Drive via Arthur’s Pass. This route takes you through alpine scenery before descending to the West Coast.
From Wanaka (approx. 4 hours)
A popular route if you’re doing the classic Mount Cook → Wanaka → West Coast loop. This is also what I did but in reverse!
Can You Fly to Franz Josef?
There is no major airport in Franz Josef.
The closest airports are:
- Queenstown Airport
- Christchurch Airport
From there, you’ll need to rent a car and drive. There are small scenic flights and helicopter services operating locally, but they are for glacier tours, not regular transport.
Is Franz Josef Worth the Drive?
Yes, absolutely! Especially if you’re already exploring the South Island. The West Coast drive alone is part of the experience. Adding Fox Glacier makes your 2 days in Franz Josef even more worthwhile.
If you’re doing a South Island loop, a common flow is:
- Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Franz Josef → Wanaka → Queenstown or
- Queenstown → Wanaka → Franz Josef → Punakaiki → Nelson (I did this but in reverse)
When I visit New Zealand again, Franz Josef is one place that I plan on revisiting!
What is the Best Time to Visit Franz Josef?
The West Coast of New Zealand gets a lot of rain and there isn’t a perfectly dry season.
The most practical advice is to:
- Build flexibility into your itinerary
- Allow 2 days instead of 1
- Go early in the morning for clearer glacier views
- Accept that weather is part of the West Coast experience
If you want the safest all-around bet for hiking and visibility, late summer through early autumn (February–April) tends to offer the best balance of stable weather and fewer crowds.
Below is the breakdown by each season
Summer (December–February)
Best for warmer weather & longer daylight
- Warmest temperatures (typically 18–25°C / 64–77°F)
- Long daylight hours
- Busiest time of year
- Still frequent rain
Summer gives you the best chance of comfortable hiking weather during your 2 days in Franz Josef. That said, this is still the West Coast and it can rain.
Autumn (March–May)
Best for fewer crowds
- Cooler temperatures
- Fewer visitors
- Rain remains common
Autumn can be a sweet spot if you want quieter trails. The rainforest remains lush year-round, but the air feels crisper and mornings can be clearer. If you prefer fewer crowds during your 2 days in Franz Josef, this is a strong option.
Winter (June–August)
Best for snow-capped mountain views
- Cold temperatures (often 5–12°C / 41–54°F)
- Snow on surrounding peaks
- Fewer visitors
- Shorter daylight hours
Winter can be beautiful, especially when the Southern Alps are snow-covered. Trails are quieter, but weather is less predictable.
Road conditions over Arthur’s Pass may require checking before driving.
Spring (September–November)
Best for waterfalls & dramatic scenery
- Increasing temperatures
- Snowmelt-fed waterfalls
- Unstable weather patterns
Spring brings dramatic landscapes, swollen rivers and active waterfalls but the weather is also quite variable.
Franz Josef vs. Fox Glacier
This area is actually collectively called Glacier Country. In addition to Franz Josef Glacier you will also find another famous glacier called Fox just 30 minutes from Franz Josef. There are small townships or villages close to both glaciers (of the same name) that you can base yourself in. The township of Franz Josef is slightly bigger than the township of Fox Glacier and there’s a bit more to do around it too.
Distance Between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
- Drive time: ~30 minutes
- Distance: ~23 km (14 miles)
Franz Josef vs Fox Glacier: What’s the Difference?
Franz Josef
- Slightly larger township
- More restaurants and accommodation options
- More short walking tracks nearby
- Feels a bit more active
This township has better infrastructure and slightly more “going on” in the evenings. If you like having a few dining options or tour operators within walking distance, this is the easier base.
Fox Glacier
- Smaller and quieter
- Fewer dining options
- Closer to Lake Matheson
- Often feels less crowded
Fox Glacier is a good choice if you prefer quieter stays and don’t mind limited restaurant choices.
I chose to stay at Franz Josef and this is where I will stay in the future as well.
Is 2 Days in Franz Josef Enough?
Unless you are into photography and are waiting for a specific weather window or you are an avid hiker, I think 2 days In Franz Josef is enough time. If you can spare one more extra day, you could do 3 days but if you’re not into a lot of hiking this may feel a bit too much.
How to Spend 2 days in Franz Josef (and Fox Glacier)
This 2 days in Franz Josef itinerary below is what I would recommend from a logistics standpoint but you may need to move things around given how unpredictable the weather is in Franz Josef.
Day 1 – Fox Glacier & Franz Josef
Flight Tour
The best and only way to get up, close and personal with the glaciers and the surrounding mountains is to get on a helicopter tour. One callout about this tour is that there is a huge chance that it will get canceled if conditions are not absolutely perfect. Unfortunately for me, all tours were canceled both days I was there. You should try to do this tour on your first day in case the weather is not good and the flight needs to be rescheduled to the next day. Signing up on day 1 means you actually have 3 chances – on day 1, day 2 and early morning on day 3 before you leave Franz Josef.
The option with snow landings start from 20-minute flights to flights that last an hour. Glacier Country Helicopters is one of the best tour operators in this area. Book early but prepare to be moved around if the weather is bad. They are more than happy and willing to work with you or will refund you no questions asked if flights cancel because of weather and you can’t make it work.
Book your tour first thing in the morning as clouds set in later in the afternoon.
After the helicopter tour, drive towards Fox Glacier to
Lake Matheson
This walk is considered one of the low effort, high reward things you can do in Glacier Country. On this relatively flat walk, you will see the reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on Lake Matheson. The walking trail forms a loop around Lake Matheson.
- Distance: 4.4 km loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
I had moody weather and cloud cover so here’s what it looks like on a clear day.
Fox Glacier Lookout
If you continue driving past the road without turning to Lake Matheson is a viewpoint where you can see all of the southern alps including Fox Glacier and Aroraki/Mount Cook on a clear day. You can either do this before or after visiting Lake Matheson. All you have to do is to drive up to the viewpoint.
Note – there is also a walk called the Fox Glacier South Side Walk but everyone says the viewpoint from the lookout is much better so I skipped it.
Lunch
Before leaving Fox Glacier, have some lunch at the village
The Franz Josef Glacier Walk – Forest Walk Viewpoint
In the afternoon, you can do one of the most famous walks at Franz Josef – the glacier walk. The trailhead for this walk starts at the end of the Franz Josef Glacier Road. This easy walk brings you to the viewpoint where you can see the Franz Josef Glacier. The surroundings are also quite beautiful with waterfalls plummeting down the verdant mountains around the glacier. One thing to note is that the glacier will be at a bit of a distance but this is the closest you can get these days. Back in the day you could get closer but changes to the flow of the river has washed away some of the tracks.
- Distance: 1.6 km out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 30 minutes (took me less time)
- Trailhead: Franz Josef Glacier Car Park
The Franz Josef Glacier Walk – Sentinel Rock Spur Trail
This walk (starting at the same car park), takes you to another viewpoint of the Franz Josef Glacier but also from a distance. It’s a bit of an uphill stroll compared to the Forest Walk BUT it’s only 20 minutes round trip.
- Distance: 0.6 km out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 20 minutes
- Trailhead: Franz Josef Glacier Car Park
Peter’s Pool
This is another flat walk starting at the same car park as above that brings you to a pool that reflects some of the surrounding mountains.
- Distance: 1.1 km out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total Ascent: Flat
- Time: 30 minutes (took me less time)
- Trailhead: Franz Josef Glacier Car Park
Dinner
Grab dinner at one of the restaurants in Franz Josef (see below).
Minnehaha Walk
If you are feeling up for it, you can drive back to Fox Glacier to do the Minnehaha Walk. What’s special about this walk? This easy and flat walk leads you to glow worms! You can see them if you switch off all light. Please don’t shine your phone lights or flash lights on the glow worms.
- Distance: 1 km loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total Ascent: Flat
- Time: 20 minutes
I unfortunately had to skip this because I was not very confident about driving the mountainous road between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in the dark.
Now you could also reverse the itinerary and do the Franz Josef walks in the morning and leave the walks and view points near Fox Glacier for the evening (this way you only need to drive in the dark once) but given the weather patterns in this area, you probably have a better chance at seeing the mountain reflections from Lake Matheson and Fox Glacier from the viewpoint during the morning hours.
Day 2 – Franz Josef
Alex Knob Track
If you love to hike, I cannot recommend the Alex Knob hike for your day 2 at Franz Josef!
Alex Knob is considered a hard hike but it’s sure to leave you loving every second of it! Alex Knob Track is a full-day return hike and it provides elevated panoramic views of Franz Josef Glacier and the surrounding Southern Alps. It is one of the most physically demanding day hikes in the Franz Josef area.
- Distance: Approx. 17 km return (out and back)
- Time: 6–8 hours return (took me 5.25 hour end to end of hiking time alone)
- Elevation gain: ~1,100 m
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trailhead: Franz Josef Glacier Road (before the Franz Josef Glacier Walk Car Park). There is a small carpark at trailhead
The track climbs steadily from near sea level to approximately 1,303 meters at the summit. The climb is continuous and steep in sections, with:
- Root-heavy and muddy terrain
- Narrow forest track
- Some exposed sections above the tree line
- Alpine tussock near the summit
There are no technical climbing sections, but the sustained elevation gain makes it physically demanding. Weather conditions can also change quickly, especially near the top. Low cloud frequently obscures views. This is why you need to start on this track as early in the day as possible.
Views from the Summit and Along the Way
At first you will climb through a lush rainforest. The challenging part about the rainforest section is making sure you don’t trip on roots or slip on the muddy terrain if it has rained. You will pass two view points where you will see the Franz Josef Glacier. While these view points are nice, it doesn’t beat the view from the summit!
Once you pass the tree line, the climb gets even more steeper. You will trek through patches of snow at times too. Then you start to see the turquoise waters of the ocean all the way below. You maybe even above the clouds at this point. And then suddenly at the summit, you get the most direct unobstructed view of Franz Josef Glacier (if the weather is good!). Where else in the world do you get to see rainforests, clouds, the sea, snow capped mountains and a stunning glacier all in one frame?
Most people are disappointed to find Franz Josef covered in cloud when they get to the top. If this happens wait a bit. The clouds may move at some point (this happened to me!).
Safety Considerations
- Check weather forecast before starting
- Do not attempt in poor visibility or heavy rain
- Rain jacket and good hiking or trail shoes are a MUST
- Track can be slippery after rainfall
- Carry sufficient water and food
- Allow a full day in your schedule
Read my full post on Alex Knob HERE
Alternative Activities
Robert’s Point
Robert’s Point Track is a challenging half- to full-day hike near Franz Josef. It provides one of the closest elevated viewpoints of Franz Josef Glacier that can be reached without helicopter access.
The track is known for its rugged terrain and varied features, including suspension bridges and short scrambling sections.
- Distance: Approx. 11 km return (out and back)
- Time: 5–7 hours return
- Elevation gain: ~600–700 m
- Difficulty: Hard
- Trailhead: Franz Josef Glacier Car Park
The track climbs steadily through dense West Coast rainforest. Conditions are typically:
- Root-heavy and uneven
- Frequently muddy
- Narrow in sections
- Slippery after rain
Features along the route include:
- Multiple suspension bridges
- Rocky steps and short scrambling sections
- Some exposed areas near the top
There are no technical climbing requirements, but good balance and confidence on uneven terrain are necessary.
Views from the Lookout
On a clear day, the Robert’s Point lookout offers:
- A close, elevated view of Franz Josef Glacier
- A perspective over the glacial valley and Waiho River
- Surrounding alpine peaks
Just like Alex Knob, cloud cover can obscure the glacier. Weather conditions change quickly in this area, so visibility is not guaranteed.
How It Compares to Alex Knob
Alex Knob Track is longer and involves more elevation gain, with broader panoramic views from higher elevation. Robert’s Point is shorter but more varied in terrain and provides a closer visual angle of the glacier itself.
Robert’s Point vs Alex Knob: Direct Comparison
| Feature | Robert’s Point Track | Alex Knob Track |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Return) | ~11 km | ~17 km |
| Time Required | 5–7 hours | 6–8 hours |
| Elevation Gain | ~600–700 m | ~1,100 m |
| Difficulty | Hard | Hard (more physically demanding) |
| Terrain | Muddy forest, roots, bridges, scrambling | Steep sustained climb, forest to alpine |
| Exposure | Some exposed sections near lookout | More exposed near summit |
| View Type | Closer, dramatic glacier angle | Higher, wider panoramic view |
| Best For | Adventurous hikers wanting glacier proximity | Strong hikers wanting elevation + big panoramas |
| Weather Sensitivity | High (cloud blocks glacier view) | Very high (cloud blocks summit views) |
| Physical Demand | Moderate-to-high | High |
Heli-Hiking
During this tour, you will be flown out to the snowy mountains and then be led on a guided glacier hike. I have done glacier hiking in both Iceland and Argentina and loved it so I skipped doing the same in Franz Josef. But if you haven’t experienced this before, this may be a great opportunity for you to try it. One callout is that just like the flight tours, these are also weather dependent.
Other Walks
.A couple of easy walks to consider:
- Callery Gorge Walk – Features a swing bridge over bright turquoise water.
- Tatare Tunnels Walk – A historic gold mining tunnel walk (bring a torch if you go inside). See HERE for more
These trails are quieter and give you a different perspective beyond the glacier itself.
Sky Diving
If you have always wanted to sky dive, why not try it at Franz Josef? This your below offers sky diving from 13k, 16.5k and 18k feet!
Waiho Hot Pools
Is there anything more rewarding after hiking for 2 days in Franz Josef than to sit in a hot tub? Waiho Hot Pools were exactly what my sore muscles demanded. These fill up fast so you should definitely book them ahead of time. Get the Epsom salt option if you hiked a lot and are sore. What I loved most about these hot tubs is that there is a small shed to change right next to the hot tub. Also it’s BYOB!
Where to Stay in Franz Josef
Franz Josef has the widest range of accommodation in the glacier region.
You’ll find:
- Self-contained motels
- Backpacker hostels
- Small rainforest lodges
- A few boutique-style stays
Many properties offer mountain views, and some have private or shared hot tubs!
I stayed at Wild Kea Lodge Franz Josef and absolutely LOVED it! The room was beautiful and fully self contained. They had a hot tub and it’s walkable to all restaurants. Best part were the views when the weather was clear!
Where to Stay in Fox Glacier
Accommodation in Fox Glacier is more limited but still comfortable.
Expect:
- Small motels
- Holiday park cabincs
- Quiet lodges
Where to Eat in Franz Josef
Like I mentioned, the township of Franz Josef is small and almost all the cafes and restaurants are on the main drag. I had dinner at King Tiger one night (they serve all sorts of Asian food) and from The Landing Restaurant & Bar (their pizza hit the spot!)
- Alice May
- Blue Ice Restaurant and Bar
- Snack Bite Brewery
- Across The Road Cafe Franz (breakfast and lunch options)
- Full of Beans (breakfast and lunch options)
FAQ: 2 Days in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Can you walk on Franz Josef Glacier without a guide?
No. Independent glacier access is no longer permitted. The only way to step onto Franz Josef Glacier is via helicopter-guided glacier hike due to safety restrictions and glacier retreat.
Is Fox Glacier better than Franz Josef?
Neither is objectively better. Franz Josef has more developed walking tracks, while Fox Glacier feels quieter and is closer to Lake Matheson, which offers iconic mountain reflections.
What is the best time to visit Franz Josef?
The West Coast is wet year-round. Summer offers warmer weather but more crowds. Shoulder season provides fewer visitors. Clear mornings give you the best glacier views.
Tips for Visiting Franz Josef
- The west coast of New Zealand gets A LOT of rain throughout the year! Be prepared for this!
- For Heli Tours, the weather needs to be perfect at not just Franz Glacier but also on the other side of the mountain range at Aoraki/Mount Cook
- Book accommodation early
- Book the hot tub experience also early if you can
- During peak season, either go for dinner early or late. Peak dinner times are usually packed
See all my posts on New Zealand HERE!
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