Glaciers & Haast

Need to know ...

The southern region of the West Coast is a breathtaking region of natural beauty. From spectacular glaciers to forests of global significance, this part of the world is unforgettable.

Main Centres

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Villages – picturesque base villages for trips to the glaciers.
Haast – wildlife paradise in the heart of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Getting There

By Air – Westport Airport (10 minutes from town) and Hokitika Airport (5 minutes from town) provide the closest domestic air links.
By Road – 6 hours, 25 minutes from Christchurch to Franz Josef. Coaches provide regular services.

Getting Around

Several operators run tours to this popular visitor destination. A scenic flight or chartered helicopter provides unparalleled access to remote areas.

Eating Out

Beeches Restaurant (SH 6, Franz Josef, t +64 3 752 0721) – great selection of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open from early till late.
Blue Ice Café (Main Rd, Franz Josef, t +64 3 752 0707) – featuring fine New Zealand cuisine and wines.
The Landing (SH6, Franz Josef, t +64 3 752 0229) – fully licensed restaurant, café and bar open for lunch and dinner seven days.
Smithy’s Tavern (Marks Rd, Haast, t +64 3 750 0034) – specialising in grilled or fried fish dishes and steak, fine beers, wine and spirits.
The Craypot (Jackson Bay, Haast, t +64 3 750 0035) – quirky mobile restaurant in remote wilderness with ocean views. Fresh fish ’n’ chips, whitebait patties and hamburgers.

Where to Drink

Cosy pub

Blue Ice Café (Main Rd, Franz Josef, t +64 3 752 0707) – upstairs bar with free pool table, SKY TV, pizza and drink deals, and regular DJs. Open till late.
Smithy’s Tavern (Marks Rd, Haast, t +64 3 750 0034) – fine beers, wine and spirits, hot drinks and delicious meals.

Coffee fix

Beeches Restaurant (SH6, Franz Josef, t +64 3 752 0721) – great selection of food available all day from early till late.
Fantail Café (Marks Rd, Haast, t +64 3 750 0055) – convenient, quick food and drinks, dine in or takeaway.

Sights

The astonishing sight of a huge glacier nestled in a valley lined with lush green rainforest. The West Coast’s glaciers cascade from high in the Southern Alps to forest-clad valleys just 250m above sea level.

The Kotuku (White Heron) Colony near Whataroa is New Zealand’s only breeding colony of these graceful birds. The birds nest from September to February: to visit the nesting area you must be accompanied by a registered guide.

The sight of Mt Tasman and Mt Cook reflected in the still waters of Lake Matheson is worthy of picture-postcard status.

Action

Ice-climbing on Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, widely regarded as the most accessible temperate zone glaciers in the world.

Jet boating expeditions on the wild Waiatoto River near Haast.

Relax

Enjoy a peaceful kayaking expedition on the tranquil Okarito Lagoon.
Gain a sense of perspective over this visually stunning region with a scenic flight over glaciers and rainforest.

THE experience

Take a road trip 50km along the coast from Haast to Jackson’s Bay, an isolated fishing village. This is considered to be one of the West Coast’s best-kept secrets. Lonely Planet’s Blue List rates this as one of the top ten road trips in the world.