Located
on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, in the heart of
the Westland National Park, 171 kms south of Greymouth and 25 Kms from Franz
Josef, Fox Glacier is a small town (pop 310) located near the world famous
Fox Glacier and the most photographed lake in New Zealand - Lake Matheson.
Besides the Glacier and Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier is also
known for the various glow worm caves that surround the area.
At Fox Glacier there is a range of activities ranging from the walks on
Fox Glacier with a duration of 3 hours, cycling to Lake Matheson, scenic
helicopter flights of Mt Cook, Fox, Tasman and Franz Josef Glaciers.
When you arrive at Fox Glacier you immediately feel relaxed in its
intimate, village atmosphere. It has a stunning outlook across
surrounding farms and offers breathtaking views of New Zealand’s highest
peaks Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Tasman. Tucked discreetly into the
rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, the town was founded
when gold was discovered.
Visitors to Fox Glacier will find a small but comfortable township with
two Hotels, a good selection of motel, hostel and motor camp
accommodation and several restaurants. Despite being in the wilderness,
the town has all essential services including a good garage, a district
nurse and Visitors Centre and Department of Conservation Office.
Fox Glacier is the the home of Lake Matheson. Located five minutes'
drive from Fox township. Take the 1 hour 30 minute walk around the lake
to see the beautiful reflection of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The
track is well maintained, and there are boardwalks and specially made
platforms for getting the right angle for your pictures.
Fox Glacier is near the beginning to the Copeland Track.
Fox Glacier is served by daily inter-regional and long distance
coach and bus services south to Haast, Wanaka and Queenstown and north to Hokitika, Greymouth,
Punakaiki - home of the Pancake Rocks, Westport and Nelson.
There is no direct air service to Fox Glacier. The nearest airport for air
services from Christchurch is
Hokitika.
There are no passenger train or rail services from Fox Glacier to Greymouth,
Hokitika, Westport, Nelson, Wanaka or Queenstown except for combined
bus and TranzAlpine train travel from
Fox
Glacier to Christchurch. |