Fox Glacier
Glaciers of the West Coast
 Photo: Gareth Eyres, courtesy Tourism New Zealand |
Twenty-seven kilometres south of the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island lies the larger of the two Westland glaciers, the Fox Glacier.
Being the second glacier to be reached on the road from Greymouth, the Fox Glacier often misses out on visitors from the north who have time to visit only one of the West Coast glaciers.
As a result, the Fox Glacier area is quieter and arguably less commercial than its smaller brother.
While the Franz Josef Glacier seems to pose a challenge for it to be conquered, the Fox Glacier offers a more placid view conducive to quiet contemplation.
But it has its own range of activities and attractions to seduce the Westland visitor.
Skiing in winter
The Fox Glacier was named in 1872 after a visit there by New Zealand Prime Minister Sir William Fox.
It offers a range of activities — snow walks, aerial flights — similar to that of Franz Josef.
Additionally, during the winter months (July to November), it offers downhill and cross-country skiing.
From the Fox Glacier, the South Island visitor can continue south through the town of Haast to the fork in the road at Wanaka, and from there choose to continue on State Highway 6 toward Christchurch, with a possible detour to Mt Cook, or down Route 89 to Queenstown.
Next page: Map of the South Island
