Fox Glacier Nature Tour
Description
This scenic trail meanders through the lush, historic glaciated rainforest of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, where you'll encounter magnificent rata & rimu trees, vibrant mosses & breathtaking views of the upper Fox Glacier, the Fox Neve & Mt Tasman—one of New Zealand's tallest peaks. Along the way, our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating insights into the area's geology, glaciation & thermology & its diverse flora and fauna. Discover the rich history & local stories that make this region so unique. Join us for an educational & memorable hike that blends natural beauty with deep environmental understanding. Book your adventure today & explore one of New Zealand’s most remarkable treasures! *Please note this tour does not get close to the terminal face of the glacier/walk on the glacier due to safety reasons. *Some tracks on this tour are public. Contact us for a list to avoid walking them on your own. *We go in all weather please ring us if you are wanting to discuss.
Tour Options
Itinerary
View the Fox Neve and surrounding mountains while walking through lush historic rainforest. Stop for a cup of tea break and a chat with your guide, with a view. Please note we cannot get near or see the terminal face of the glacier due to safety reasons (NZ's largest active landslide is currently stopping us!). Learn about glaciology, geology, geothermology (inc a tiny hot pool/spring), native flora & fauna, native moss
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If you are staying in Fox Glacier, then the pick up time from your hotel is 30 AFTER the tour departure time. Please allow an extra 15 minutes on top of this for road delays, check in delays in our office as well as other pick ups in Fox Glacier. So we aim to pick you up between 2:00 pm and 2:15 pm.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Reviews(96)
A lovely walk with plants etc being pointed out that we would have missed. Great view of the glacier
Thanks so much for your excellent review, so glad you enjoyed your guided walk in Fox Glacier :)
It would be very simple to drive to fix glacier and walk the main path to see the glacier and the site of the avalanche. But it is a much better experience to do it with a guide (in fact a masters botany student) and learn about the history of the glacier and its surrounding countryside. The off the main track experience while more demanding was special and we learnt so much about the local flora and fauna. A special experience that we will not forget.
Kia ora, Thanks so much for your kind words! 😊 We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the experience and learned so much along the way. We will be sure to let Louis know! Great to hear you appreciated getting off the main track too — that’s something the guide includes when the group is a good fit, and it sounds like it added something special to your day. Hope we can welcome you back again sometime! Cheers, The GVET team
We did the Twin Glacier tour (Franz Josef and Fox Glacier) with our guide Cliff. Cliff was a fantastic guide who was able to take us off the beaten track and on routes not open to general public. A great trip and highly recommend!
So glad you had an awesome time out there! 😄 Cliff will be stoked to hear he made the adventure extra special—he loves showing off those hidden gems. Thanks for the recommendation, and we hope to see you back for another adventure soon! Cheers, the GVET team
What a magical experience to be led by Cliff through the natural areas of Fox Glacier and Matheson Lake. Cliff shared his expertise and knowledge of native plants, birds and fungi. We loved the rain forest ferns, trees and mosses. While it rained, we delighted in our journey.
Kia ora, Thankyou for the review. We're glad you enjoyed Cliffs expert knowledge and had a good time despite the rain. We look forward to seeing you again if you're ever back on the West Coast. Cheers, the GVET team
Fantastic experience! First time in a helicopter and so glad we did it. All staff from the office to the pilot, Aaron were personable and professional.
Hi there Susan Thanks for your review - however, we don't have a helicopter company and wondering if you are able to edit or take down this review so as to not confuse our future clients please? We run small group guided nature tours in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. thanks!
My husband and I had a fantastic experience on this tour. Our guide was a botanist grad student who told us about the glacier, the 2019 landslide, rocks, plants and even some bugs. We were privileged to go on a day where we had a full view of the glacier. Because we were a small group we were able to do some exploring on the rocks in the landslide area. I highly recommend this tour. It is a memorable experience, not just a hike to see the glacier.
Kia ora, Thanks so much for the recommendation. I know Louis had a great time too! And glad to hear you got to enjoy some of the off track bits! We look forward to seeing you again if you're ever in our neck of the woods. Cheers, the GVET team
Fun experience. Our guide was lovely.
Kia ora, Thankyou for the review! We love to hear when we've done a good job! Safe travels. Cheers, the GVET team
We both really enjoyed this trip out. Our guide Louis was extremely knowledgable about the plant life we encountered and friendly and considerate to the group's needs. The walk was just the right length and the stop at the Glacier viewpoint was timed really well with a nice hot drink and a biscuit offered.
Kia ora, It sounds like you had a killer time with Louie. Our guides are highly trained at making the trips enjoyable and interesting for everyone. Thankyou for your kind words! Cheers, the GVET team.
We had a fantastic guided hike to Fox Glacier with Louis today. It was a small group of 10 and was absolutely great. We learnt a lot about the flora and fauna and had super views of the glacier. The hike itself was not too difficult and I would say it was suitable even for people not used to walking distances as it was mainly flat with a tiny amount of scrambling over small rocks and trees. I would heartily recommend this tour and tour company.
Kia ora, Wow, sounds like you had a great time with Louie. He's a pretty knowledgeable lad! Thankyou for this recommendation of our little family business, it means a lot to us! Cheers, the GVET team.
It goes rain or shine and our guide Bella was a trooper to take us in a down pour the entire time! Just know that you can’t get near the glacier.
Thank you for your review! We’re so glad to hear you had a great time despite the downpour! Bella is definitely a trooper, and while most people might be put off by the rain, it’s awesome that it’s a totally different atmosphere that you can’t get on a dry day, and we’re glad you were able to experience it! As for the glacier, you’re right — access is restricted for safety but the surrounding landscape is still amazing to explore. Cheers, the GVET team!
