How to Visit the Glaciers in New Zealand
Including a visit to New Zealand’s glaciers in your holiday itinerary is essential, as these natural wonders may not be around forever.
Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park
houses New Zealand’s highest peak and the Tasman Glacier. The Tasman Glacier, dating back 2 million years to the Pleistocene ice age, has advanced and retreated over millennia, leaving behind moraines and deposits, and carving out the basin that is now Lake Pukaki.
Today, the glacier stretches roughly 27km and is 600 meters deep at its center. You can see the glacier by walking the Hooker Valley track, one of the most popular tracks in the park due to its relatively short distance (10km) and breathtaking views. Winding through the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, you'll reach the glacier lake. On a clear day, you’ll see brilliant blue ice formations, views of Mt Cook towering above, and possibly icebergs in the lake. The track takes about 3 hours round trip. For an enriched experience, consider a guided tour to learn about the geological features, flora and fauna, and the region's significance.
Glacier Explorers
For a unique adventure, try the Glacier Explorers Tour from the Hermitage Hotel (available September to May). It is one of only three tours in the world where you can travel by boat on a terminal lake and get close to icebergs over 500 years old. Few glaciers terminate in lakes, and even fewer are accessible!
To hike on these glaciers and explore the beautiful blue ice and formations, you’ll need to take a **heli-hike**. Heli-hikes are available from multiple South Island bases, with the most popular being from Fox, Franz Josef, or Mt Cook Village to Tasman Glacier. You will be provided with crampons and other necessary equipment. After a scenic flight, you'll be dropped off with a professional mountain guide to explore icefalls and stunning glaciers for about 2 hours. You’ll have countless opportunities to take photos and make lasting memories.
If a helicopter flight isn’t your preference, consider a fixed-wing plane for a fantastic birds-eye view or enjoy glacier views from walking tracks like the Hooker Valley track or the Aspiring Track to Rob Roy Glacier near Wanaka.
Perhaps the most famous glaciers in New Zealand are Fox and Franz Josef.
These glaciers are special due to their proximity to rainforest and coast. Franz Josef descends from 2500 meters above sea level to roughly 300 meters in just over 11km, allowing it to share its valley floor with a temperate rainforest. Fox Glacier, the West Coast’s longest glacier, has a more gradual incline. Some tours offer the opportunity to join a heli-hike at Fox Glacier with New Zealand’s most experienced glacier guiding company. Speak to us about adding this or any other heli-hike to your itinerary!
For a less physically demanding option, consider scenic helicopter flights with snow-landings in the Southern Alps, offering an incredible perspective on New Zealand’s mountain and glacier highlights.
New Zealand Private Tours can help you customise your glacier adventure to make the most of these extraordinary natural wonders.