10 Things to Do in Fox Glacier 2024: Updated Edition

What to Do in Fox Glacier?

Heli-Hike on Fox Glacier, Visit Lake Matheson, Skydive over the Fox Glacier, Sunset at Gillespies Beach, Fox Glacier Valley walk, Scenic Helicopter Ride, White Water Rafting, Glacier Hot pools and many more.

When it comes to things to do in Fox Glacier, you will be spoilt for choices. Irrespective of your traveling spirit, the ethereal beauty of Fox Glacier will captivate you during your New Zealand holidays. If you want to explore adventurous activities, there are plenty available. However, if you are eager to seek solace in the lap of nature, you can have that too. For instance, adventure fanatics can opt for heli-hiking or white river rafting. Moreover, you can also try extreme adventurous activities like skydiving.

Are you a nature lover and only wish to admire the mesmerizing beauty of nature in peace? You can have that too in Fox Glacier. Try visiting Lake Matheson or stroll along the Gillespies beach. The list of Fox Glacier things to do is seemingly unending. If this doesn’t satisfy your wanderlust, you can explore the Glow worm forest or you can opt for the Fix Glacier Valley walk.

Here is the list of best things to do in Fox Glacier:

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01

Try Heli-Hike on Fox Glacier

New Zealand’s most fascinating natural attraction is undoubtedly the Fox Glacier. The panoramic beauty of nature along with the adventure makes it one of the top things to do in Fox Glacier. Here, you can observe the unparalleled scenic beauty of the snow-capped mountains from the helicopter. After that, you will explore Fox Glacier on foot by traipsing through the gorgeous ice caves. The landing site will offer you an ethereal view of Victoria Falls. It is the best way to explore the mesmerizing icy terrain.

The excitement of the helicopter ride along with hiking on the glaciers makes the voyage uncharacteristically memorable. However, make sure that you wear appropriate clothing and heed the instructions of the guide rigidly.

Location: Main road, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Price: Starting from $ 499
02

Visit Lake Matheson

Image Credit : Patrick Szylar
This lake is famous for its mirror effect and comes under the top search of Fox Glacier things to do. For exploring the lake completely, you have to take a 1-hour 30-minute walk around it. Or you can return after visiting the jetty viewpoint, which you can cover only in 45 minutes. The mirror lake has a vivid reflection of Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain of New Zealand.

You can also sit beside the lake for hours to contemplate the reflection of the steep trees. From here, you can also take a guided walk up to Glacier valley.

Location: Cook flat road, Fox Glacier, New Zealand
03

Skydive over the Fox Glacier

It has been voted as the second most scenic skydive in the world after Mount Everest. From the free fall starting from 16,500 feet above the glaciers, you can goggle through the rainforest, Mount Cook, glaciers, Tasman Sea and Mount Tasman. It is a double-whammy situation of epicness.

First, you get to have the most scenic sight experience and then an adrenaline rush as you fall from such height. So if you are looking for things to do in Fox glacier, this can be a great pick.

Location: 1 Cook flat road, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Price: $299 to $399

Timing: 7 am to 7 pm
04

Witness the Sunset at Gillespies Beach

Image Credit : Guillaume Galtier
Every tourist visits Gillespies beach to witness the landscape of the place silhouetted during the sunset. The picture created by the sky shining bright yellow and the trees surrounding the beach covered hidden in shadow seems whimsical.

The sparkling water with soft waves thrashing over the shores illuminates the whole region. It is an exciting place to explore because of the hiking trails that can take you to other amazing spots.

Location: Near Fox Glacier, West Coast, New Zealand
05

Do the Fox Glacier Valley Walk

One of the most exciting Fox Glacier things to do is to opt for the Fox Glacier valley walk. Here, you will come across glacial surfaces that mirror the panoramic beauty of the glorious podocarp rainforest. It is a 2 hour walk and doesn't cause much exertion.

Location: Westland national park, New Zealand

Price: From $40 to $80

Timing: 8 am to 8 pm
06

Take a Scenic Helicopter Ride

Scenic helicopter flights over the glaciers, pinnacles and ice caves are the perfect choice for adrenaline junkies. It is a one in a lifetime experience which offers you to goggle over the magnificent Southern Alps, the awe-inspiring ice falls and the soaring peaks of Mount Cook.

The 20-minute ride will cover all the dramatic expanse of the snowfields and Fox glaciers. The flight will also feature an exciting snow landing. So make sure to include it in your things to do in Fox Glacier.

Location: Main South Road, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Price: $280 to $490

Timing: 7 am to 7 pm, seven days
07

White Water Rafting

If you are an adventure lover, then participating in white water rafting will give you the thrill you desire. The feeling of the rough turbulence of water, while you wade through rough waters, is amazing. Moreover, you also get to admire the ethereal view of nature around.

The scenic visuals coupled with the adrenaline boost will make you want to try this activity again and again. Another plus point is that you can try this thrill-inducing activity with your friends and make some new memories.

Location: Depends on the operator

Price: Varies depending on the operator

Timing:
As per the operator's schedule
08

Soak in Glacier Hot Pools

One of the most relaxing things to do in Fox Glacier is soaking yourself in the natural hot pools sheltered beneath the lush West Coast rainforest. The pool gives the people a tranquil vibe and thus comes under the main attraction of Fox glacier.

It also has a wide variety of spa and massage treatments. You also get the option of booking private pools that is perfect for two.

Location: Cron Street, New Zealand

Price: $25 to $29

Timing: 2 pm to 8:30 pm
09

Explore Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest

This place has the most amazing five-minute walk where you take a tour around the town center. The best thing about the place is that you get to see worms as soon as the surrounding gets dark. Make sure not to shine any light; concentrate on what you see; you will find worms projecting faint light in tree trunks and along with the barks.

It is a relaxing walk followed by a small stream through the woods of rain forest. So if you are visiting New Zealand, make sure to add it to your Fox Glacier things to do list.

Location: Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Fox Glacier, New Zealand
10

Visit Westcoast Wildlife Center

Known for rearing kiwis, the West Coast Wildlife Center offers an insight into the hatching and subsequent growth of these birds. The center is the result of a unique partnership between the Te R?nunga o Makaawhio of Ng?i Tahu and the Department of Conservation. Here, two Kiwi species are reared - Haast tokoeka and Rowi.

You can take as much time as you want to explore while you participate in the bush walkthrough.

Location: Corner Cowan & Cron Streets Franz Josef Glacier 7886, West Coast

Price: $34 per adult

Timing: From 8:30 am to 5 pm

People Also Ask About New Zealand

  1. Is Fox Glacier Worth Visiting?

    Fox glacier is full of iconic spots and is a real gem of the town. It has varieties of activities to explore and is worth visiting once in a lifetime. You will find a magnificent lake, Steep mountain and exhilarating rain forest. So make sure you plan a trip of a day or two to Fox Glacier.
  2. What are the best things to do in fox glacier for free?

    1. Stroll along Lake Matheson: Take a walk around the beautiful lake Matheson situated 5 min away from the Fox Glacier Township. It has a stunning reflection of its serene surrounding, thus also known as mirror lake.

    2. Hike across Fox Glacier: This is one of the best hiking trails with several viewpoints. The panoramic visuals of the majestic mountains and ice terrains make it one of the best Fox glacier things to do.

    3. Relax in the Gillespies beach: It is a beach where people come to admire the serene surrounding and the silhouette mountains appearing from the effects of the red glowing sun during the sunset.

    4. Explore Moraine surfaces: It is a beautiful area covered with ice behind the glacier that was developed in the 1960s. It is also known as 'dead ice.' While covering the journey, you will come across several small creeks. It is one of the most amazing things to do in Fox Glacier.

    5. Venture into the Minnehaha Walk:
    When you are looking to take a delightful short walk, it is the perfect choice. The place gets even more attractive due to the bonus of glow worms added to the journey.
  3. How long is the walk to Fox Glacier?

    It is a walk that includes around 6.4 km and can be covered in under two-hour. You will find the first viewpoint after 40 minutes of walk, and you can get there by driving south from Weheka Township.
  4. What is Fox Glacier famous for?

    Fox Glacier is famous for many things; however, the main attractions are scenic flights, ice hiking, adventure, beautiful lake Matheson and the excellent choice of cafes and restaurants. Also, Heli-hiking and glow warm forest come under the top things to do in Fox Glacier.
  5. How do you get to Fox glacier?

    To reach Fox Glacier by car in 90 minutes from Hokitika, 25 minutes from Franz Josef Glacier, and 3 hours and 15 minutes from Wanaka. Here, you will not find any commercial airlines. However, you can also reach by taking buses from Queenstown, Haast, Christchurch, etc.
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