Franz josef glacier new zealand11/24/2023 ![]() My experience: as soon as myself and my tour group paid for our trip and the last person in line handed their money over they suddenly declared it cancelled. This company who also run the hot pools gave terrible customer service. If you get the chance to stop in at Franz Josef, I highly recommend taking one of their tours. They were very accommodating, very careful, very prepared, and just all-around excellent tour guides. The guides kept a close eye on everyone, regularly did head counts, and made sure that everyone was safe. I learned a lot about NZs natural plants, history, and local animals. While I'm sad we didn't get to ice climb and check out the glacier, I was really impressed with the valley tour, and we ended up having a lot of fun. The waterproof jacket that they loaned to me was amazing! I have no idea what brand it was, and I wish I'd taken a picture of the logo because I would love to get one! (it rained the entire walk, but the jacket kept me bone dry, and it was awesome) They carefully assessed everyone's outfits, then offered appropriate equipment, jackets, gloves, and gear to anyone who they thought needed it and encouraged people to be prepared. The tour guides were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We opted to join the early morning valley hike, and I am so glad that we did! They offered to re-book us for the following day, which wasn't possible given our travel schedule, or to attend the valley walking hike with a partial reimbursement as an alternative. It's clear that they take safety very seriously (which I really appreciate), and this cancellation was communicated clearly and promptly once the weather changed. We booked the Heli Hike, but unfortunately, due to weather, this had to be cancelled as the helicopter could not safely fly up to the glacier and land us there. This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers.If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund This experience requires good weather.Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike. For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women.The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance.Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately.Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able.Children must be accompanied by an adult.It is advised that families travelling with younger children to book an afternoon tour when the track is more suitable.Minimum weight is 35kg and height of 137cm.The centre offers bookings for behind the scenes tours of its kiwi hatching and rearing facilities. The village is connected to the Franz Josef Glacier valley via walking tracks and a small sealed road leading into the valley from the highway just south of the village.įranz Josef village is also home to the West Coast Wildlife Centre, developed in 2010 and dedicated to hatching and rearing the world's two rarest species of kiwi, the rowi and Haast tokoeka. Other amenities include a petrol station, small but busy heliport and a number of restaurants and shops. The town is located within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.įranz Josef offers many accommodation options for the up to 2,000 people staying overnight during the main season, ranging from hotels and motels to holiday houses, camping sites and backpacker accommodation. ![]() The glacier's terminal face is 5 km from the town and its accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction and the reason many people visit Franz Josef. The town is named after the Franz Josef Glacier - itself named by Julius von Haast in honour of the Emperor of Austria Franz Josef I of Austria. ![]() The population was 330 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 9 from 2001. The Waiho River runs from the Franz Josef Glacier to the south, through the town, and into the Tasman Sea to the north-west. Whataroa is 32 km to the north-east, and the township of Fox Glacier is 23 km to the south-west. DescriptionFranz Josef is a small town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand.
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