The hike to this place is very intense, there is so many stairs. Way too many. You need to have a very good physical condition to do this hike. At the top it’s even harder because the rocks are loose and you can easy fall. Other places you have to go through rocks there is no track. The views are very beautiful and worthy. You can also heard the glaciers. You have to go very early because in the afternoon it gets foggy, not much visibility. You can make the reservation in the Muellers hut in advance and stay there.

Visiting Mount Cook in winter was a breathtaking experience like no other — the entire landscape was blanketed in pristine snow, with majestic peaks rising through the clouds and reflecting off the icy lake below. The silence of the snowy trails, the crisp mountain air, and the surreal beauty of the surroundings made it feel like a dream. Every turn offered a postcard-perfect view, from the glowing clouds behind the mountains to the untouched white expanses stretching in all directions. It’s a peaceful, magical escape into nature’s raw beauty — truly a must-visit winter wonderland in New Zealand.

Visiting Mount Cook was absolutely breathtaking! The sheer scale of the mountains and the stunning glaciers left us speechless. The views are epic in every direction, whether you’re close up or admiring from a distance. Even just driving through the area, the scenery is unforgettable. Definitely a must-see for anyone traveling in New Zealand!

Breathtaking place! The views of Mount Cook and surrounding glaciers are absolutely stunning. Great walks, crystal-clear lakes, and perfect photo spots everywhere. A must-visit highlight of New Zealand! 🏔️🇳🇿✨

Stayed at the Hermitage hotel. Superb accommodation and the food, although not cheap, was outstanding. The view from my hotel room was incredible. The staff could not have been more helpful and friendly.

Amazing experience, walked up to the tasman glacier counted the steps there are aprox 338 steps took a while iam not a hiker, but definitely well worth it. The view is amazing

If you are in New Zealand you cannot miss a visit to Mt Cook. The scenery will take your breath away even if you don't reach the summit. There are several routes and you can choose the one that best suits you. Make sure you have the right clothing, put on sunscreen (the sun can be really bad at the top) and the right amount of water. Visit the glacier and you can read about how much it has already shrunk over the years. Maybe it will open your eyes a little to our global environmental situation. I don't think that helicopter tours are environmentally friendly, quite the opposite. We only have one planet and if we want to continue to enjoy its beauty we should take better care of it.

Absolutely breathtaking! The views of Aoraki/Mt Cook are unforgettable — towering peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and crisp alpine air. The Hooker Valley Track is a must-do, with stunning scenery from start to finish. Great facilities, clear trails, and plenty of photo spots. An unmissable highlight of New Zealand’s South Island! P.s. Walking up to a morning snow ❄️ was just breathtaking 😍.

We were so lucky to have a snow fall in October so we could enjoy having fun in the patches around. Visited the café and the visitors centre

Loved this heavenly beautiful place. Spectacular views and scenic drive. Next time will do hiking as we were not prepared this time due to last minute plan on our way back from Queenstown.

“Mount Cook is beautiful in every way. The drive there is so good with amazing views all around. Snowy mountains, fresh air, and peaceful nature make it feel like heaven. A perfect place to relax and enjoy.”

Scenic but be prepared! This spot is a bit of a trek to reach by car, and the roads are quite curvy—but the journey is absolutely worth it. The mountain views are stunning, with breathtaking sights of the lake and surrounding ice. Make sure to wear sturdy, waterproof boots as the tracks can be muddy and uneven. One downside: when I visited in July, the main toilets were closed and only two portable toilets were available. Unfortunately, they were extremely dirty, smelly, and had no flush—definitely a very unpleasant experience. So be prepared if you're heading up!

Very nice view. 1st we went at evening and because it bevome sark early, then we come back next day. My kids very happy to play with snow

Just magificient and otherworldy. If you have not yet, I highly encourage you to stay a night at Aoraki...camping is best at Whitehorse Camp ground and I was grateful to get a clear night with awesome display of milky way that blows your mind. Simply unforgettable.

If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking for an hour to see where a glacier used to be, Franz Josef Glacier walk is your moment. The trail is beautiful — waterfalls, if your lucky —cliffs, and lots of rocks where, once upon a time, ice majestically sat. At the viewing platform, you’ll squint into the distance and maybe spot a tiny patch of ice clinging to the mountain, looking as disappointed as you feel. Still, the walk is scenic, the exercise is free, and you’ll leave with some great photos of… gravel. Lots of gravel.

A beautiful part of the world. It was rainy on the day we came but that didn't mean we missed out on seeing beautiful landscapes.

I can definitely NOT recommend visiting Franz Josef Glacier. What could be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural sights has sadly turned into a noisy, commercialized disappointment with tons of gravel. The absolute most ridiculous thing about the visit is the giant sign at the lookout that says, “What can I do against climate change?” — while the air is constantly filled with the deafening roar of tourist helicopters. How can this possibly be taken seriously? It seems the town has built an entire business model around helicopter flights: the standard hike to the glacier is closed for vague “safety” reasons, leaving only two short walks (about 15 minutes in total) with no real glacier view because you’re so far away. It genuinely feels like you’re being pushed into paying for a helicopter ride to see something that used to be accessible on foot. The whole place feels like a helicopter-tour hub rather than a nature destination. Here’s the kicker: a typical sightseeing helicopter burns 60 to 120 litres of fuel per hour, releasing between 185 kg and 500 kg of CO₂ every single hour — the equivalent of 10 to 40 hours of driving a car! And yet right there at the lookout you’re lectured about “what you can do against climate change.” The hypocrisy is unbelievable. Meanwhile, the environmentally friendly alternative — simply walking closer to the glacier — is blocked. Repair the walkways, let visitors hike, and stop pretending helicopter tourism is sustainable. Even the car park gives you an uneasy feeling with its many warning signs about theft and “do not leave any belongings in your car.” Not exactly welcoming. In short: this could be an incredible natural experience, but it’s buried under noise, emissions, gravel and commercialization. A frustrating example of how not to manage a natural wonder.

November 2025: Glacier view track is closed. The sign said that due to the river changing course, the track has been washed away. This means that you can’t get anywhere near the glacier viewpoint, and we didn’t see anything but gravel. If you walk up the Sentinel Rock path, you might see a tiny bit of ice. It was still a lovely walk, but disappointing not to see the glacier.

Nothing is more beautiful than this glacier on west coast of New Zealand. A small town of Franz Josef which closes by 6 pm and wakes up in the morning with the frequent helicopters sound. Many agencies taking booking for a helicopter rides for the glacier. They will land on snow for some 7-8 mins in which u can play with snow and get ur photo clicked by the pilot also. Its the same temperature as the base so no need to carry heavy jackets as the helicopter is normally packed. U can use the locker of the agency. They will give u pick up and drop facility for the landing zone. Must do when in that part of the World.

I climbed only a small part of the Glacier as I was on a group tour, Connections 18 - 35. An incredible experience it was. I'm disappointed at the low ratings that some people have given for such a wonderful piece of the natural climate up close.

Beautiful walk to the viewing spot. Wish you could still see the glacier though 🙁

This hike is truly incredible! Along the way, you'll encounter numerous bridges and staircases built into the mountainside. The trail mostly winds through dense jungle, but it eventually opens up to a breathtaking platform with stunning glacier views—weather permitting. Please be cautious on rainy days, as the trail is mostly off-road and can become extremely slippery. At the start, you'll find a warning sign detailing past fatalities on this route, emphasizing that this is not an easy hike. However, on clear days, with proper hiking gear, it's absolutely manageable—and well worth the effort!

A beautiful but challenging hike. Starts easy and get’s harder the closer you come to the end. As we went back down light rain started so it was really slippery and we fell several times. Took us 2,5 hrs to go up und 2,5 hrs down. Make sure you wear GOOD and waterproof hiking shoes.

One of my favourite hikes. Done a lot of hikes, this is one of the most beautiful ones. Not to hard, beautiful scenery along the track and amazing views. Highly recommend it, just take your time and it'll be fine.

Challenging hike but not too hard if you take your time. Lots of uneven ground and walking on and over big stones, there is 3 swing bridges that feel really safe. The trail is very interesting and fun with lots to see along the way. It took me and my partner just over 4 hours to complete the round trip, and we're moderately fit. The Glacier at the end is worth the hike, Do it before it's gone for good!

An incredible, but challenging hike 🥾🏔️ From the carpark, the start of the walk is about 30 minutes away, then the return hike is 5 hours. This walk is for experienced, well-equipped hikers only! The terrain is challenging, and it's uphill 90% of the way. You have to cross a few waterfalls, make sure your boots are waterproof. As for any hike, plan ahead, check the weather, pack for any eventuality, bring some lunch to enjoy at the top! 🙃 The view from the end point is just fantastic! There are a few view points along the way with great views of the valley. And the suspension bridges, and cliff-side steps make the trek fun! ☺️

roberts point is a really fun day hike through lush forests, along interesting (built) features, and with a great view of the glacier at the end. We did this hike on the 10th of december in the morning, spent about 5 hours on the trail, and encountered multiple others on the hike. There was sufficient space (and toilets) at the car park. The hike itselfs starts out easy, and gradually becomes more intense after the first suspension bridge. Some parts were very slippery, however there is limited danger of falling far down. The path is very rocky and has multiple bridges and stairs, along with some easy rock scrambles. Dont forget to wear some waterproof shoes as you need to cross multiple waterfalls and puddles. Aside from the view of the glacier close to the carpark on the beginning of the hike, the only other view is at the viewing platform at the end of the hike. it is still quite far from the glacier however, and the only way to get closer is by helicopter. The fun of the hike itself makes up for it though and we definitely enjoyed it. I would rate this hike moderate if you are prepared for it, and hard if you come unprepared expecting an easy stroll.

A very nice hike. Despite some fog and light rain, we enjoyed every meter.

Extremely helpful and friendly staff and the views were amazing! Unfortunately due to the weather we weren’t able to land on a glacier but the pilot still did his best to get us right above the glaciers. Well worth the experience. Highly recommend.

Fantastic company and an amazing experience. I did the flyover and although we couldn't make a snow landing because of the conditions it was still an absolutely incredible experience. The feeling of being above the glaciers and snow basins is indescribable. The pilot was great and gave interesting commentary as well. I highly recommend flying with these guys and even if you can't make the landing it is still truly worth doing!

Booking was effortless. We walked in and were met by a friendly team, who gave us a better deal than we found online. We got to fly same day and were given a thorough safety brief. The shuttle was only around the corner and didn't take long to get us to the helicopter take off site. The gentleman who drove us there was very polite. We were a group of four in our helicopter which was fantastic. Mike our pilot shared a great deal of knowledge with us while we flew up and over breathtaking sites! Seeing the glaciers was out of this world and the snow landing was something I can not describe in words as it was beyond incredible. It is something you can not miss! It is that once in a lifetime opportunity. You are in safe hands and won't be disappointed or regret having this phenomenal experience with Glacier Country Helicopters. They are all a wonderful team and will ensure you have the safest, enoyable and most epic journey with them! 😊

🚁❄️ Helicopter Glacier Flight – Absolutely Breathtaking! ❄️🚁 🚁❄️ Helicopter Glacier Flight – Absolutely Breathtaking! ❄️🚁 What an unforgettable experience! Flying over the stunning glacier and landing on the snow was nothing short of amazing. The views were out of this world — sparkling ice, rugged peaks, and that incredible feeling of standing on top of it all. 🏔️✨ The pilot was fantastic, super knowledgeable, and made the whole flight smooth and enjoyable. Standing on the glacier surrounded by pure white snow was one of those moments you’ll never forget — simply breathtaking! 💙 If you ever get the chance, do it — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll be talking about forever!

Truly a must do! Amazing scenery from the helicopter, it's a different experience. Our pilot Mark made it very comfortable and explained about the different mountains. Very helpful as well taking our pictures. Thanks so much for this unforgettable trip!

Absolutely wonderful don’t hesitate book with Glacier County Helicopters, they are a family run company. Thanks guys for putting this morning together we were so amazed by the glaciers, nothing gives more prospective than an actual flyover. Our pilot was so informative. As you can see from the pictures the weather wasn’t behaving however it didn’t take the magic from the experience. Best day of our visit to NZ so far!!!

Absolute amazing experience. Contacted me a day prior to move the booking forward a few hours due to weather settling in around lunch time. Flight and pilot were awesome with a snow landing at the top to get some quick photos. Well worth the money because you can’t get the same experience anywhere else!

West Coast Wildlife Centre is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area. The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable, it’s clear they care a lot about the conservation of local wildlife - especially the endangered kiwi. A lot of work goes into protecting and supporting the local kiwi population, and now the local penguin community too. A visit to the centre as of 18th October ‘25 now includes a walk through the kiwi habitat and the newly opened penguin enclosure, where the team provide a safe space for the little blue penguins who wouldn’t survive in the wild to live their best life. You’ll learn a lot and see some truly adorable local NZ wildlife. 10/10 absolutely recommend.

Really interesting place to visit in Franz Josef. There are lots of outdoorsy activities to get involved with in this area but if you ever the weather is nit so good, or youre lookjbv for something different to do, and recommend this place. We booked the VIP entrance which gave us access to the kiwi egg incubating/ area and hatching and Tuatara back area. You will see kiwis, Tuatara and little penguins on the standard entrance ticket. It was fascinating and the host was full of interesting facts and info. This is not a zoo. The work being done here is in conjunction with Govt departments and is all about conservation. You will learn alot about these unique animals. You get a chance to see kiwis in as near to a natural environment as is possible. As such, I would not recommend for those with toddlers, as the kiwi area is dark and you are expected to be very quiet in order to catch a glimpse. You choice though. However, there are Kororoa / little penguins to make up for it and they're easily accessible. Coffee area and gift shop here too. Would recommend.

Amazing experience! If you have a rainy day in Franz Josef and looking for an indoor activity, book yourselves the vip backstage tour. In our tour, we learned about the kiwi conservation efforts and even got to see a 23 day old kiwi behind glass being weighed, absolutely adorable. All exhibitions were extremely interesting but the regular kiwi and penguin exhibition was the highlight! Kiwis are kept in dark rooms and they were so easy to spot and very active when we visited. Little blue penguins are so social and curious! Could’ve watched them for hours. 10/10 experience.

If you are looking to learn about what makes New Zealand so special this is your place! We did the VIP backstage, which we HIGHLY recommend. Devin was very knowledgeable and most importantly extraordinarily excited about his work! You could feel the passion oozing out of him. Seeing rare species and learning about the hard work this centre is doing to preserve it was amazing. A must do!

An absolutely wonderful place to learn about and see kiwis, the backstage tour where you can see the kiwi eggs and learn more about how they get and incubate them was definitely worth it! Their gift shop also has a vast selection of kiwi and NZ themed items as well. Highly recommend for anyone in the area or driving through. The penguins and extremely unique Tuataras were also really cool!

I have to agree with some of the lower starred reviews. This was a very expensive experience for not a lot of value. We arrived late in the day, on a wet day…the (2) kiwis on show that day were elusive and the penguins were in their burrows so we didn’t get to see them at all. Would have liked to have learnt more about the rescue operation but it was all based on reading panels which weren’t very engaging - more videos of the kiwis programmes would have been better. If you want a decent experience buy the Backstage pass maybe and be there for the penguin feeding - otherwise very $$$$ for what it was. Took all of 15 minutes to see what we could. And sorry but the exhibits are just not modern or interactive enough for the value.

Tourist trap. Very expensive but the money goes to a good place (maybe?!) so that’s the least of the issues here. The main concern is that… a walk through takes 10 minutes! Maybe 15 if you’re wanting to loiter around in the dark for a bit. I don’t know who would be spending hours here or what they would be doing because there’s really not a lot going on. It’s old and tacky and lifeless and clearly hasn’t had any work done to the experience in the last 35 years (they’re still playing VHS quality videos). Would love to find out who is going back multiple times over a 48 hour period too (anyone?!). If you’re in the area and don’t care about overpriced tourist traps, give it a look just to say you did. Otherwise spend your 32 dollars on 3 litres of petrol and drive elsewhere. Plenty of better places in NZ to see a kiwi. Also give the other 1 star reviews a read, their responses are hilarious.

We arrived for dinner quite early, just after 5 p.m. The mix of Filipino and European food on the menu caught our attention and convinced us to choose this restaurant over the other options in Franz Josef. There seemed to be two people working on the floor and one chef in the kitchen. The server attending to us was fairly decent. However, there was another woman who had a very loud and grating voice, and she kept talking in the dining area for the entire hour we were there. The issue was that she did not even acknowledge us or say hello. Instead, she wandered around the dining area, speaking loudly about various topics, claiming she was the owner, and chatting with a couple at the adjacent table. It was incredibly frustrating. I honestly wanted to ask her to be quiet because it felt like she was torturing us with her incessant talking—it was completely inappropriate for a dining setting, especially with paying customers trying to enjoy their meal. Adding to the cacophony was the loud music, which only made the experience worse. As for the food, we chose a Filipino dish, which was fantastic. Unfortunately, my lamb shank was probably the worst I have ever had. It was bland, the plate was excessively dry, and the shank itself was over-roasted, leaving the lamb far too dry and completely lacking in fat. Regrettably, I made the mistake of ordering an additional shank before tasting the first one. On the positive side, we chatted with our server and managed to have a decent conversation when possible. Despite the loud and disruptive woman and the poorly prepared lamb shank, everything else was pleasant. The restaurant’s temperature was comfortable, and the views were excellent.

This restaurant is absolutely incredible - you should absolutely go! We've been in New Zealand for over a week and this was BY FAR our best meal of the entire trip. The service is top tier and everything we ordered was delicious and incredible. The Filipino food was authentic and so good. If you don't try this place, you'll be missing out. We even came back the next night to have it again - nothing we've eaten to date even comes close. 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

Great ambience with soft music and that will be a tranquil dining evening with delicious food on a wet winter. Sadly isn't not what we look for, just a remark for the owner to note of the current situation. The restaurant atmosphere made me feels like a market place with a lady staff that kept talking and talking like a typewriter which rritates my ears that I need to be rude to ask the male staff for that lady to lower voice for a pleasant dining. We did sound our concern but it's not stopping as we heard more noises behind with three parties conversations which was close by the kitchen. Also, it's a pity that the staff were without fire for more customers, when at around 7.35pm there were group of 6pax coming for dining but were turned down with only alternative of takeaway especially when the restaurant only had two tables for the evening. What a shame to reject customers during this low period.

Lovely little restaurant. We had the lamb shanks, palabok and the mudpie for desert. The meat was tender, the pasta was flavorful and the chocolate cake was delicious. Fast service with nice atmosphere.

Purchased a takeaway pizza. Had fantastic service & it was ready on time. The pizza was very nice it was the smoked salmon. We brought the largest one which feed 2 people for 2 meals so great value for money. Would highly recommend.

This was recommended to us by our motel. We arrived to be told we get 20% off for the recommendation which was great. We both had the steak and it was delicious. Service was excellent, prompt delivery of food which was fresh and hot. The hospitality was excellent..The restaurant was quiet but it was Wednesday. I would recommend giving them a try when you visit Franz Josef.

I ordered the lamb shake, which is tender and rich, has a generous portion, and contains fresh vegetables at a reasonable price☺️.

This was our second visit to this place, and once again, the food was absolutely amazing. We had the beef cheek and lamb shank as our mains both were outstanding. They also offer a special dessert that's worth trying. The atmosphere is cosy and perfect for winter, the staff are so friendly. We absolutely love it here highly recommended 😊

This place is an absolute gem. Who would think, tucked in the back street of a small town, you’d come across a restaurant with soul and character with the most delicious home-made style dishes. The slow cooked beef cheek is literally melt in the mount. The chicken breast is so succulent and flavorful and the portion sizes are quite generous. They have plenty of entree options that unfortunately I did not get the chance to try. And I cannot emphasize enough how amazing the service is. Warm, attentive and super friendly staff. Ps: The second night I dined here, there was a mystery table draw which turned out be be my table number and I ended up receive 20% discount on the bill which was like the cherry on top for my overall amazing time in Franz Josef. In summary: do yourself a favor and dine in Alice may restaurant for a wholesome evening.😄

We had a wonderful experience at the restaurant. It was quite busy when we arrived, and since we didn’t have a reservation, the staff kindly offered us the option to sit outside or wait about 20 minutes for an indoor table. We decided to sit outside, and it turned out to be very comfortable — the area was partially covered, and the staff switched on the heater for us, keeping it pleasantly warm for my elderly parents. Our server, Janice, was friendly and attentive, providing excellent service with a lovely smile. Thank you, Janice! For food, we ordered the Seafood Chowder, Roast Pork, Lamb Shank, and a Whitebait Omelette to share. The Seafood Chowder was filled with generous portions of seafood, The Lamb Shank was tender and flavorful, the Roast Pork was decent though not the best we’ve had, and the Whitebait Omelette could have been a little crisper for our taste. Overall, it was an enjoyable dining experience, and we appreciated the warm service and cozy atmosphere.

Had a fabulous dinner at Alice May. Service was wonderful and food was delicious. Lovely winter evening to have a tasty mulled wine. We had the pumpkin soup, so tasty, whitebait fritter, steak, chocolate fudge cake and apple and blackberry pie. Definitely recommend.

Such a fantastic little restaurant with a lot of charm & an interesting story. The food was flavorful & the dessert (sticky toffee pudding) was delectable, but the service was truly the standout. The staff not only seated us with less than an hour before closing (which we've had severe issues with all over NZ), they were welcoming, friendly & helpful (like offering to take our photo), & they did not rush us even once closing time came around & we still had not had our dessert yet. Strongly recommend you eat here - order the sticky toffee pudding yum 😋👍

Loved this place. Had one of the most delicious dinners here with my mom. Ideal service from all the kind staff wow. Special recognition to Joanna, she made us feel right at home. Her service was impeccable - attentive, professional and knowledgeable with the menu items. Her charisma made a lasting impression on our trip. Thank you, we hope to be back

This restaurant is an absolute gem. Our dinner was fantastic and the best meal we’ve had in New Zealand thus far. The salmon was fresh and perfectly cooked and the accompanying risotto was so flavorful. The soups were also amazing and a great option after exploring Franz Josef all day. I also thought the story behind the name was super interesting.

The Lake Matheson walk is an absolutely breathtaking experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. This 6.5 km round trip took us about 2 hours to complete, including time to soak in the stunning viewpoints. The trail itself is well-maintained, winding through lush native forest with towering trees and ferns that create a serene, almost magical atmosphere. The highlight, without a doubt, is the reflection lake and the iconic viewpoint. On a calm day, the still waters perfectly mirror the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, including the majestic Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, offering a postcard-worthy scene that left us speechless. The overcast sky added a dramatic touch to the landscape, enhancing the reflective quality of the lake. The gradual incline and flat sections make it manageable for most fitness levels, though sturdy shoes are a plus given the gravel paths and occasional muddy spots. Whether you're a nature lover or just after that perfect photo, this walk delivers. A truly brilliant way to connect with New Zealand's natural beauty!

We didn’t manage to catch the famous mirror reflection at Lake Matheson, but it was still such a beautiful experience. The walk itself is peaceful and full of natural beauty, and even on a cloudy day the views are worth every step. There are several great spots for photos along the track, and the café and gift shop at the start are a nice bonus. A few stairs along the way, but nothing too difficult. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the Fox Glacier area!

I visited Lake Matheson on a prefect sunny day 🌞,and the whole experience was breathtaking. The weather was clear and the hight light the reflection on the lake were absolutely stunning just like in the postcard i felt overwhelmed by the beaty of nature ✨️ all around me, the walking track is well maintained and easy to follow it took proximately 1.5 hrs to complete at relaxed absolutely love it ❤️recommended

Really nice walk even on a cloudy day. You need clear skies too see the mountains though. Kea were lurking on the roof of the cafe causing trouble.

Comfortable walk with a great view, a full round takes 1 hour, there are areas with benches with lake view, great for a quick snack and rest

The Lake Matheson path is superbly maintained and a pleasure to walk. There is ample parking at the trailhead, and the route itself is beautifully laid out, winding through forests of tree ferns before opening to the lake’s mirrored views. The paths are in excellent condition throughout, with clear and consistent signage. The posted walking times seem geared toward those taking a very leisurely pace, but the terrain is easy and well graded. Benches are thoughtfully placed at the top of each incline, exactly where you would want them. It is one of those walks where every practical detail has been quietly and expertly considered.

If you're blessed to get a glimpse of the alpine mountain ranges reflecting off the water, it may be an image you'll never forget. It's absolutely stunning. The walk is easy, take your time and relax if you can while doing it.

Lake Matheson is one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand. At Reflection Island you will see the famous view, with the mountains in the backdrop and mirroring in the water. Unfortunately the weather gods were not in our favour and we had clouds the whole time we were there. Nevertheless it was very beautiful and peaceful! Many ducks in this lake as well. Took us about 90 minutes return.

Beautiful setting . 10 mnts to the lake . Service was excellent . Food was great . Our scrambled were at a little too salty but the overall quality of food was great . A must visit place to come and eat and spend sometime in the surroundings 👍

This lake is by far one of the best experiences I have had. It is not my personal favourite lake in the South Island, but due to this being isolated in the West Coast, with stunning views of Mount Cook in the background are what make it fancy. The reflective lake is spectacular, and it really is a mirrored lake. The bush walk to and from Reflection Island is top notch, and easily among the best walks I have done in NZ. It is mostly flat and from memory takes around 30 minutes in one direction. It requires a minimum to moderate level of fitness. I highly recommend this attraction to all who are nearby!

We enjoyed a lovely hike around the lake. It’s very tropical and scenic. A reasonable hike that is primarily flat.

The walk around this lake is the perfect place to clear your mind. It's a straightforward walk without any difficulties and a well maintained walkway. The lake is beautifully situated overlooking Fox Glacier and has some of the best views on its surroundings. At the entrance of the walk you're able to sit and enjoy a coffee.

Awesome reflections. Got lucky with the clouds

I came to the lake in the afternoon but could not see the mirror lake because there were breeze. I came again the following morning around 0930. Luckily, I got the shots

Dozens and dozens of glow worms were easily visible along the walk. I'd highly recommend waiting until a couple hours after sunset to let the idiots (loudly talking and using bright white torches to ruin everyone's night vision) clear out first. Also heard Morepork calling.

The best place to see mt.. Cook and Tasmen.

glow worms after dark. Bring a torch, even better if you have red light. You can see the glow worm very well when it is pitch black

Good place to visit after dinner, there were glow worms with less than 5 mins walk. But better to bring a red light torch as the trail is dark, but glow worms will not appear when there is white lights and you eye need time to get used to dark to see glow worms. Rainy days can try too. They usually appear in the left side after passing the bridge. Have been staying in Fox Glacier for 2 nights, and visit there both nights. Watching glow worms with no cost.

A gorgeous walk through a rain forest. Trail is on the edge of town. Easy and beautiful

This was a gem. The podicarp forest has been covered with moss, the trunks and the broken shrub parts overgrown with different types. It feels like walking through a land before time or fairyland - I kept expecting a dinosaur or Oberon to step around the next bend. An absolutely lovely experience that I highly recommend - so much return for only a 20 minute walk.

Fantastic walk on a wonderfully level pathway, the trees are wonderful, lots of different shapes and sizes. The walk out to the edge of the Fox river was lovely. If you’re staying in Fox Glacier town or fancy a nice stop off for a walk then I would definitely recommend this walk.

I would still give this 5 stars despite the fact that you can only see the glacier from afar. The viewpoint could also be better as it is literally at ground level in a forest, unlike Franz Josef which is at a reasonable height. The best thing about this experience is definitely the walk, and the workout. It is generally quite flat from the Carpark to the viewing area, which a hill at the very end. The West Coast region of the South Island never fails to impress though as this is some of the best nature I have seen in my life.

Nice walk, took as around 7 hours to walk to Welcome Flat Hut. Not very easy walk, lots of rocks and bolders on the path. Always be careful where you put your shoes. To stay in the hut, reservation needed (DOC)

It's true that at the end of the hike the glacier is a bit far but the view keeps being awesome. It can be a bit long walk but it's really worth it!

I went on a day when many parts of the trail were closed for pest control... should have checked ahead of time🙄 The valley walks are quite easy and lovely.

The glacier is about 2km away, but the view along the path still makes the trip great.

Fox glacier. As an ADS accreedited tour guide, I do come here often, or whenever we have time and the visitors are fit for a 50min walk. lots of springs on the way, makes a perfect environment. Visitors do like these if they can make it to the top. Over the years this track has changed quite a lot. When I first walked in in 2016, we could walked to very far... I hope we can still see this glacier in 10 years time. It is definitely worth walking this time, just like last time and the time before.

I didn't have time to do the whole walk (1:20hr) but I sure enjoyed the wide path, beautiful rainforest, and flowing river to get there. Free. Ample room for crowds.

My wife and I had a fantastic time on the quad bike tour yesterday with Leo. He was super professional but also made the tour extremely fun and one we will remember. Leo was super knowledgeable on the history of the area and snapped some great pictures for us throughout including have a laugh when we got ourselves bogged! This was Leo’s last assessed tour lead before becoming a fully trained guide and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better for our day out, thanks! Would highly recommend for anyone passing through the area to have a go at this experience.

Such an epic experience! The quad biking tour was heaps of fun from start to finish. The guides were awesome, super clear with instructions and made sure we were all confident before heading off. I rode on the back with my husband and felt completely safe the whole way. Huge bonus points for the wet weather gear, splashing through all that water was the best part!

We thoroughly enjoyed our kayaking experience in September! Ollie was a great guide and gave us lots of interesting information about the lake, Franz Josef and New Zealand in general! He took lots of great photos capturing the dramatic scenery which are great memories of our trip. We loved kayaking up the hidden creek and hearing about all the wildlife in the area. Everything was very well organised with transport provided to and from Franz Josef to the lake. We would highly recommend the kayaking tour to anyone visiting Franz Josef! It is a very unique way to see the fantastic scenery!

Epic experience! The Franz Josef Wilderness quad tour was an absolute blast... forest tracks, rivers, and muddy fun! Loved that they include great photos at no extra cost and make the whole tour feel personal, even in a group. I was a passenger princess but kind of wish I went on my own quad. Maybe next time :) Highly recommend! Brooklyn and Justin 10/10 for guides and customer service!!

We did the 3-hour guided kayaking tour on Lake Mapourika, and it was absolutely incredible! Our guide Kate was fantastic — friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone in the group feel comfortable and well looked after. She shared so much insight about the local area, wildlife, and history, making the experience both relaxing and fascinating. Kate also took beautiful photos throughout the tour, which were later sent to us — such a thoughtful touch and an amazing way to remember the day. The scenery was breathtaking, and kayaking through the calm waters surrounded by mountains was the perfect way to explore the natural beauty of Franz Josef. Highly recommend Franz Josef Wilderness Tours to anyone visiting the West Coast — it’s an unforgettable experience!

The quad bike tour was fantastic! Our instructors, Will and Justin, made sure we were all confident and had the best time possible. I was a passenger and had the biggest smile the whole way through. Thanks guys for a truly memorable experience!

Cruise ride With Franz Josef Wilderness Tours is highly recommend thing to do At Franz Josef. It was a great time with Joe & Karl (tour guides). They are best at what they do & assets for business. I don’t know how much they make but highly recommended for complimentary PAY RISE. 😀 It was great views , silence, birds voices, etc.

What a great track! It was a rainy day in Franz Josef, but you can do this track anyway. There was about 10cm of water in the tunnel, so remember to wear waterproof shoes.

What an unexpected adventure! Walk leading to the cave is bit rocky but nothing too dangerous. Part of the walk is currently closed, but we were able to get to the end of the first cave, then it stops with wooden beam. The tunel itself is filled ankle hight with cold water, it’s doable barefoot. Right at the end is nice surprice in the shape of glow worms. Highly recommended track.

Great hike, about 1 hr 20m return. Tunnels at the end of the hike very creepy, ankle deep in water and absolutely no light. Would recommend if you love hiking and history, as well as an adventure!

This was an unexpected amazing pitstop. If you love scenic walks with a sense of adventure this is for you. Our round trip was 1hr 15mins and we really took our time in the tunnel. The tunnel is super comfortable in terms of width and height for the average folk. It was winter when we went so I imagine the water was icy, we wore ankle boots and our feet stayed dry. To those who want to see glowworms, occasionally turn off your lights and look up. We saw soo many and it was truly magical!

Fantastic!! Did it with my 5 & 3.5 year old. 55 mins to the tunnel slow walking gentle climb beautiful bush. 15 mins each way to end of tunnel where there’s glow worms. Took our gumboots which was perfect. Head torches necessary. Ankle deep water mostly. 2hr 40 min total for us. Do it!! Kekrerū & even a white fantail.

The DOC return time is about accurate. You follow a well maintained old 4WD track up to some man-made tunnels. If you're lucky enough, you can spot some cave wetā in their unique habitat. And of course, there are glow worms further down the tunnel. Bring jandals and a good head torch. The water is pretty cold, but we went in April and didn't find it as icy as some have claimed. The walk in the tunnel itself isn't very long, as a section has been closed off. It definitely gives you a sense of adventure.

What an experience! Totally different than normal hikes/walks. Currently the track is closed after the first tunnel which made us unsure about the track but it’s still long enough. You walk up next to the gorge for about 30 minutes first before you enter the tunnel. It’s about 10-15 minutes long if you take your time and take some awesome pictures! Just return at the end! We used water shoes to keep our walking boots dry and had headlamps. You can of course just go in with normal boots and phone lights but your feet/boots will get wet!

The room was comfortable and suited our group of four, although it’s technically set up to sleep six. It includes one single bunk bed, three single beds, and a queen bed tucked away in a cozy nook for added privacy. All the beds were clean and comfy, with fresh linen and towels provided. That said, the space did feel a little cramped with so many beds- it left limited room for additional furnishings. We ended up using the extra beds to lay out our luggage. Aside from a small table with three chairs and a bin, there wasn’t much space for bedside tables, storage, shelving or clothing racks of any sort. The room is fully carpeted and heated by a single wall heater, which kept things warm, though it hummed a bit at night. The bathroom was a highlight- very clean and nicely designed, with a spacious white shower, a toilet, and a warm ceiling light/heater. Soap and shampoo were provided, and I appreciated thoughtful touches like good ventilation, bright lighting, towel racks, and a bin. There are two access points to our room- one leading directly to the parking area, and the other to the communal lounge and kitchen just a few steps away, which I loved for its convenience. The shared lounge was spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped. It’s a great spot to relax on the couches with the TV (local channels only) or sit at a table to eat, study, or work- as I did study daily while another guest worked remotely on her laptop with the tv respectfully turned down to a hum. The kitchen was very well-stocked with everything you might need: plenty of crockery (mugs, plates, bowls), pots, non-stick pans, cutlery, two fridges (one large, one small), stovetop, electric kettle, tea, coffee, cleaning products, and more. It’s refreshed every morning by staff. Guests also respectfully clean up after themselves. During breakfast and dinner, it never felt overcrowded. Although with limited heating points in such a large area, it can get cold at night. WiFi was excellent- strong, fast, and accessible throughout the property with no dropouts. We also made use of the laundry facilities, which were perfect for catching up on washing after days of traveling and hiking. This place is very family-friendly, with a separate games room (with billiard table) and an outdoor playground that the kids really enjoyed. Check-in and check-out were a breeze with the easy key drop box system. We stayed here for two nights and although most days were wet and rainy, we really enjoyed our time. We met several lovely families and fellow travellers (from Singapore, the UK, Holland, Germany, and New Zealand), and even bumped into some of them later at nearby tourist spots like the glacier. A welcoming, well-run place- we’d happily return! Here’s a lovely view from the communal kitchen :)

This campsite is in a beautiful location. You can beat the view of Franz Josef Glacier. 😱 We had a late check in and even though the reception was closed, everything was organized and ready for us to find our site. Very clean and well kept lawns. The cement pads is perfect for the dewy nights and mornings. The kitchen is so easy to maneuver around with tons of burners and sinks. They even had utensils and pots to use which is easier then carting from the trailer. TY!! Can get a bit smelly if someone is cooking something you don't like as the entire eating area is in there as well. The bathrooms were nice and warm and the shower spaces were huge with hooks and a chair to lay your stuff. They had a blow dryer and hand dryer. One thing I wasn't a fan of in the women's washroom is that they have a big window which is lovely to see the view of Franz Josef but at night, the light reflects off the window so you can't see outside but people can stare straight in. I find that a bit of uncomfortable and a bit creepy cause you don't know who's watching you. The showered portion is covered and ok. Would def stay here again and thank you for havi g us. Aimee & Mike Canada

Booked in advance and arrived in pouring rain and low clouds. We’d booked a cabin only so upgraded to an en-suite cabin. The communal toilets and kitchen blocks were modern, clean and warm. Ate at Monsoons in town. Food was delicious. In the morning we had superb views of the glaciers with helicopters buzzing around everywhere. Def stay here again.

Absolutely awesome spot, staff are very lovely on arrival process was made easy and simple the staff member was new and still happened to give brilliant service Management was brilliant even tho he had a few concerns about my 3x dogs . But we're very accommodating 10/10 for service Place is excellently cleaned, kitchen, toilets , commons area are hygienic well preserved 10/10 Overall experience 10/10

Good laundry room. Lots of spaces for campervans. Kitchen had no exhaust which made it smell a lot during cooking. No hairdryers in men toilet

Stayed for six nights in my Snowy River caravan . Wonderful young family . Kept the camp ground and facilities clean and tidy. A credit to their commitment ensuring your stay is hassle free.

Top 10 Holiday Park is always great place for campervan and family stay. Clean and fill with many facility such as kitchen, bathroom and laundry.

Popped in for lunch and honestly had one of the best meals I’ve had in 8 weeks travelling around NZ! Ordered the hawker roll with beef cheek rendang. It was honestly exceptional. Tasty, filling, just perfectly put together. Added a beer and sat in the sun. Nice!

Pleasantly surprised. This place gets great reviews and once you stop in you can understand why. Exceptional food, pretty good service, it was only the atmosphere that slipped a little for myself, but this did not affect my overall experience. We had sizzling steak and pad Thai, desert and several snake bites.

Surprised to find authentic Indonesian food in a town like Franz Josef. The nasi goreng was excellent, as were the hawker rolls and pad see ew. We went back a second time. Enjoyed the coffees and chai lattes too. Considering it is a tourist town, the prices are reasonable.

We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Snake Bite Brewery and Restaurant! Everything was exceptional – from the warm atmosphere to the delicious food and drinks. The star of the evening was their signature cocktail, the Snake Bite – a perfect half-and-half mix of cider and beer. Smooth, refreshing, and something truly unique – it’s a must-try! The food was just as impressive. The flaky roti with dip, crispy fries, hearty burger, and rich hot chocolate were all top-notch, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish felt thoughtfully made and satisfying. On top of that, the staff were friendly, attentive, and created such a welcoming vibe. This place has the perfect balance of great food, excellent drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere. Highly recommend Snake Bite Brewery to anyone visiting – we’ll definitely be coming back!

Chose this place for our lunch kudos to a Soak Dine Stay voucher with Bella Vista Motel, where we got ourselves a $50 voucher for this restaurant at a package price. 🍚 having not had rice for awhile, i opted for the nasi goreng with chicken and the first bite really hit me as flavourful! The chicken satay was very well cooked too, slightly fried but not too tough, comes easily off the stick too. The salad was a surprising good flavour change as well, quite a good side to the dish. 🍝 wifey opted for the pad see ew chicken which was a gigantic portion, though she did finish it with some help from me. The dish was flavourful, though slightly salty - with a good portion of chicken slices too. 🥬 we also opted for some bok choy to have more greens, and was a decent enough portion for 2 - though it did come with a lot of the stems and not much of the leaf Overall, the bill came up to $73 which was fairly acceptable for 2 mains and 1 side in NZ. Good spot for a wide selection of meals, and even drinks too.

Stayed one night for Friday dinner at Snakebite. Portion size is value for money. 1. The pad thai noodles, really good. 2. Nasi goreng with prawn. Suggest to pair with kikkoman soy sauce on rice. 3. Roti chennai if you're in big splurge

They have a few well marked vegan options on the menu, including a very tasty tofu Thai yellow curry. Serving size was generous and the staff friendly and helpful.

I went to Lake Matheson Cafe really enjoyed the whole experience. The atmosphere was prefect and cozy ,and the view of the mountain absolutely beautiful. The coffee and food was delicious. The staff were friendly everything felt well-preprare i would definitely come back again and highly recommended this cafe to anyone visit the area 😊 its prefect stop before or after exploring Lake Matheson

I dream about this place. The Matheson Lake Cafe is probably the most scenic place I’ve had a coffee and pastry. My husband and I each got a spicy chai. Fantastic flavors, you can tell everything is fresh. I’d love to come back here for a full breakfast someday.

Went a little out of our way to eat a late breakfast. We have been traveling through New Zealand for the last six weeks and this was by far the best morning meal we had eaten. My wife’s Japanese-style soy scrambled eggs and mushrooms came out perfectly silky and tender and my Osaka-style Okonomyaki was excellent. We watched Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman loom in and out of the late morning mists and even though the place was busy with customers, it still felt cosy and wonderfully congenial.

Beautiful location, bright windows of the mountains. The food is amazing, I had the venison roll but the star was the salad. It had these delicious pickled grapes. The coffee is also very good and the waitstaff friendly and helpful. Overall great experience and stop after a lovely walk around the lake.

This place literally has no business being as good as it is being tucked away in the Fox Glacier region. We've literally been all over the world and brunched in some pretty cool places, but this was easily the best breakfast I've ever had. Got the bacon eggs Benedict and the Japanese pancake - absolutely stunning.

Arrived around 9 AM at Matheson Café, right at the entrance of the famous Lake Matheson track. It’s one of the most recommended spots in the area , and it definitely lives up to the hype. Coffee was smooth with beautiful latte art, and the Chai Sweet with cinnamon and spices was a nice surprise. We sat outside on the sunny terrace facing the mountains — wide open views with snowcapped peaks in the distance, and even the occasional helicopter flying toward the glacier. The wooden décor blends naturally with the surroundings, making the whole experience relaxing and scenic. A perfect breakfast stop before heading straight onto the Lake Matheson loop walk.

Nice little coffee and gift shop. A warm place to take shelter from the storm when you are on the road and living in your car. Free Wi-Fi, good food, and friendly, smiley staff. Thank you for the warm welcome, guys 🙏

Very helpful staff, we didn’t have a booking and were offered several options. Food was good and decent proportions . Steak was properly good and the ragout was excellent. Desserts were quite nice, well presented and inventive . The place was quite full on a Monday night. Had run out of some food options by 8pm . Reservations are helpful No paywave, international credit cards accepted

Lovely flavours, pork belly so soft and not fatty. Generous children’s pasta and vegetables, donated a few of my spicy prawns. Excellent dinner.

Everything we ordered was delicious, and if we were staying in the area for longer would be back again tomorrow! The steak was cooked exactly as requested, with what turned out to be the perfect amount of mashed potato which came out as fluffy as the menu described. My wife got the cashew chicken and only managed half of it, happily taking the other half away for lunch the next day. And saving herself some room to split the chocolate cake, which was elegance in the mouth. Moist but with a consistency that kept it from falling apart, and warmed just enough to make the ice cream taste even better once combined.

We visited in the January school holiday period and the town was pretty quiet. Not too many people, which is kind of sad to see. We ordered steak and chips and the kids chose nuggets and chips from the Kid's menu. Food was pretty good. Reasonable priced drink menu as well

Good combination of spices, friendly staff, clean place and nice location. Meat is tender enough for a year old baby to eat. Kids enjoyed chicken fried rice.

Not for me 😬 really hated my chicken burger the pattie was full of spices which were really over powering, the burger came with a bunch of stuff not advertised in the menu such as beetroot and pineapple the chutney tasted really bad also. Overall the burger was a mess the bun was really good but there were far to many different ingredients that didn’t go together at all, the fries were really nice but not worth the $25 I also got garlic bread when served this tiny portion of off cut bread came out so small and some of the piece had no garlic or herbs on top. After hating my meal I complained to the staff but nothing came of it still hungry we ordered desert, the desert was average at best the chocolate sundae had three tiny scope of ice cream and the tiniest amount of chocolate sauce, the raspberry crumble had a weird film on top which was chewy and not pleasant at all the raspberry was really good but ruined by the film. My cousin got the lamb shank and it was extremely dry and tasteless also. The only saving grace was the cider which came in a bottle 😂 overall extremely disappointed after not picking apart my burger and complaining about it a few times to the waitress she did nothing to help and made us pay full price for all the items even though we barely touched our meal because of how bad they were. So if you have gotten this far then congratulations and thank you for reading and please please don’t waste you money like we did it wasn’t cheap and everything was extremely over priced.

The only 3 restaurants remain open in this Covid global pandemic. This town used to be so crowded and now hardly any people. We would like to support. Meals meet expectations, it is ok. The manager actually forgot the icecream for the kids meal. I hope it is a genuine mistake.

Excellent location. We have traveled 10 days into North Ireland and are on our 20th day in the south island and this place has is the best beds that we’ve slept on and the best pillows. The view from our window is breathtaking and every day it’s different, depending on where the clouds are and where the sun is shining. We stayed 4 nights.

Me and my partner came here a few years ago and had an amazing time. This time we didn't have a good experience. We asked for a upgrade (happy to pay more btw) as the motel looked dead and got told no as they are fully booked. Which is fine however the motel was dead and no one was in those rooms when we were there. Also wanted our room serviced so went to front office as there was no service card to put on door. Asked to please have our room serviced gor a reply of yes no problem. Came back 4 hours later and nothing was done. Won't be coming back here as the service is bad.

Perfect place to spend the night, stones throw from shops and restaurants. Bonus is waking up with view of the snow clad mountain.

Good winter season prices. Hot shower. Small kitchen with nothing 😅

We got the motel room located in the corner that had excellent views of the snow laden mountain from both inside and outside room. It was spacious room for a family of 3, with 1 double bed and a single bed right by the window. The room was good size with a decent size kitchen, and very well warmed with the electric fire place. There were few issues due to which I do not give a full star rating: 1. Bathroom shower was very poor, no pressure in water and it had either very hot or cool water coming out 2. The laundry was paid and located at quite a walk with no soap in the unit. One had to come to reception to buy soap which I found very inconvenient. There was no baskets or bags at the laundry room either to help carry the clothes to a distance. 3. Internet was very sketchy, don’t know if that was an issue with this particular hotel or is a problem in all hotels A comfortable and relaxing stay otherwise.

Everything is so perfect ..only problem we face that less number of kichenites than the usual

Great 4-star motel - clean, big comfortable rooms. King sized bed with room heating / bed warmers if needed. Our room has mountain views, and it’s centrally located just next to Alice May restaurant and the West Coast Nature Center. Supermarket is short walking distance only. Happy to recommend as a great value motel at Franz Josef!

Amazing Heli hike tour!! From the moment we arrived, the team was informative, friendly and had our safety and enjoyment in mind. The helicopter ride was spectacular with great views of the Glacier and Valley. Our Helicopter driver made sure everyone was comfortable and kept us informed on what we were seeing. Our hike guide Ryan took us through the Glacier at a pace that was good for everyone. He shared a lot of great information about New Zealand and the Glacier. Once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed if you are in the Mount Cook area. I would do this tour again!

My husband and I were fortunate to have a perfect-weather morning for our heli-hike, and from start to finish the experience was absolutely incredible. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and prepared for everything. Landing on the glacier was breathtaking — crisp white views and knee-deep snow all around. The hike itself was steady and well-paced, with our guide making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable. Partway through, we were told a cloud was moving in and we’d need to leave the glacier. Even then, the team remained calm, professional, and reassuring while getting us safely helicoptered off the ice. An unforgettable adventure — highly recommend!

Outstanding experience - heli hike on Franz Josef glacier! Our terrific guide Jule led us through everything start to finish - from donning gear and safety briefings to leading us out onto the glacier for an amazing hike. The helicopter ride - my very first - gave us a beautiful introduction to the glacier. It had snowed the night before so the area was blanketed in white. The skies were cobalt. Jule explained how the weather can change quickly and how the guides monitor it to ensure safety. She also conveyed safety practices for our hike. We had the best time ever, tromping through the snow and taking in the stunning beauty of it all. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm, safety consciousness, and knowledge of all the staff. This was the experience of a lifetime for me!

Maya was our guide and she is lovely and spontaneous, making our trip absolutely exciting and hyped. The weather was spot on, glaciers were blue and shiny, and the Heliride was cool! Everyone wanted to have a photo with Maya at the end…will recommend anyone to have a trip to glaciers with Maya and Franz Josef Glacier Guides and 100% will have a good time. Was secretly hoping that the weather was bad so we get to be “stuck” up there through the night and see the stunning night views and sunset from there😆😆😆

Very much enjoyed the helicopter flight. However, the trip was promoted as a Heli hike, in practice, it is disappointingly a short walk at the pace of the slowest person in the group. Greater differentiation between abilities would enhance the experience for all involved. On the plus side, our trip was unexpectedly affected by the weather closing in, so we had to spend a night camping on the glacier, which was excellent! A great opportunity to see the sunset and sunrise. Credit to the guides who set up camp, and provided all present with warm drinks and hot food, as well as some lovely warm sleeping bags, what a great experience. As an observation, please look at the tents used for the glacier camping, as there are much more suitable mountain tents available, as the tents used are not really suited for adverse alpine conditions, should they arise.... Stronger poles and sown in ground sheets should be standard. Thankfully the weather was calm, and the cloud inversion provided a great view. The unexpected night's camping was much appreciated. Thank you

It was an amazing experience. Our guide, Hannah was very helpful and provided many insights from glacier formation to the unique landscape of Franz Josef. The whole experience was very smooth. We were sufficiently prepared with safety briefing, transported by the heli ride and explored the beautiful glaciers. Everyone has to do this at least once in their lifetime! ⭐

A Priceless Experience – Worth Every Cent At first glance, the price of this heli-hike tour is over $700 for just four hours, I was like what?! I honestly thought I would never consider doing something so expensive. But then I thought again: hiking on a glacier isn’t something you get to do every day. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m only getting older, and realistically, my finances and physical condition aren't going to improve over time. If not now, then when? This tour is perfect for nature lovers who want to combine breathtaking sightseeing with some level of physical activity. The entire team, including the office staff, went above and beyond to ensure we were safe, well-informed, and prepared for the hike. The journey began and ended with a beautiful 10-minute walk through a classic Kiwi forest—an unexpected and delightful touch. Our guide was fantastic—young, passionate, knowledgeable, and full of energy. I’m sure all the guides are just as amazing. It’s not an easy job: they need to know about the local culture, glacier dynamics, and weather patterns, and they even carve stairs into the ice with axes to make our hike safer and more manageable. I’m incredibly grateful for everything they did. They also provide all the necessary gear for the hike, which is a great bonus. In the end, I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. Don’t let the price scare you off—if it’s an amount you can afford without major sacrifice, go for it. Just read the information they send you beforehand, follow the staff's instructions, and you’ll have an unforgettable experience—just like I did.

I’ve travelled extensively across the South Island for 2 months and visited many information centres, but the ranger, a lady from this centre, was by far the most informative and knowledgeable person I’ve met. She not only had deep insight into the local area but also provided valuable information about other regions of New Zealand. Her kindness and willingness to share made me feel truly welcome in Franz Josef 😊❤️. Thanks to her, my visit was even more enjoyable. I’ll definitely return in the future!

The restaurant itself was lovely and the staff were nice. The food let them down. We ordered the pork crackling to start. These didn’t have much flavour and were really hard to eat. Felt like they were going to break my teeth. I had the ribs and my partner had the beef and bacon burger. The portions are just too big. Me and my partner could have shared my ribs meal for sure. The taste wasn’t too bad, pretty average.

Amazing staff and experience here. Christina was so helpful and literally so patient. Highly recommend stopping here before heading out for a tramp!

We came to the visitor center to get information about hiking. The girl who helped us today, November 4th, around 9 am, I think deserves an award for being the best employee at Doc! Haha, she helped us a lot and gave us all the information we needed.

The Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre is located on Cron Street and is open from 8.30am to 5pm daily. This is a good place and opportunity to find information and maps on area hikes, weather, road conditions and other general travel information you might need. There are also gifts, souvenirs and plenty of brochures for other areas of South Island that you may intend to visit during your travels. Staff are on hand to answer travel related questions you have. Note: the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre is located in the same building as the local i-Site, which can also help you will activity and tour arrangements as well as local accommodation and dining options.

I expected a better view of the glacier - that being said I totally respect the danger and forces of nature at work. If nothing else, this is a must see in relation to understanding the forces of nature present in glacial formations.

Very helpful ranger gave me tips on hikes to do in the area. Interesting info on history/ size of glaciers and wildlife in the area. There's even a clean drinking water tap outside so you can fill your water bottles.

Great easy walk with minimal grade, the giant tree ferns are absolutely epic! Please note that the path is currently closed about 500m in from the road which appears to be a land slip. This was as of 21 June 2025.

Beautiful free nature trail through a rain forest. Saw glow worms and fan tail birds. It's a quick lovely walk through the woods.

A FREE experience just a short stroll from your accommodation. Walked to the end of the track and saw some glow worms there whilst sitting on the bench. Turn off your torch and let your eye adjust to see the little blue glow. On the way back we found an upturned tree that had heaps more and got an upclose view of them.

Well, I guess it depends on what you’re looking for, but if you want just a nice light walk with a steep hill at the end, that will take you approximately 30 to 40 minutes, this is the trail for you. I heard a lot of beautiful bird sounds, and it was so lush and green in there. And, it used to hook up to the Callery Gorge Walk, but no longer does and is taped off. There was probably some kind of a mudslide or something?

Drizzling but nice short walk. Air is refreshing, easy and manageable

Very short walk of about 30 minutes or less. Night time, a lot of glow worms to see, for free.

The terrace walk itself is only about 10 minutes in before it's roped off. We found remanents of a track and had to bushwack & climb up a waterfall (about 30 mins) before we could get back up to the main track to the bridge. Walked back along the river which was beautiful, but very hot on a sunny day

A recommended to do activity is to take the Helicopter to Fox Glacier, cost a-bit high at 2xx NZD for 30 mins, it stopped on top of the snow also, good place to visit in NZ

Would you believe me if I said you could land on a glacier in New Zealand? 🚁❄️”✨ The moment the helicopter lifted off, my heart was racing — not from fear, but from pure excitement. We soared over lush valleys, climbed above rugged peaks, and suddenly the world below turned into a sea of white and blue. ❄️🧊 Gliding above Fox Glacier felt like flying into another realm — jagged crevasses glowing with icy blues, mountains stretching endlessly, and clouds drifting just beneath us. And then came the most surreal part: the landing. Stepping out onto ancient ice, crunching snow beneath my boots, and spinning in a slow circle just to take in 360° of untouched beauty. It’s one of those adventures that makes you feel small yet wildly alive at the same time — a bucket-list memory I’ll carry forever. 🌍💙

We loved seeing this glacier from many angles. We visited the viewpoint, walked to the base of the glacier, and took a helicopter ride to look at it from the air. It’s majestic beauty is a sight that should not be missed when you are visiting the South Island!! Definitely take the time to see it from as many viewpoints as possible

First time seeing a glacier and riding a helicopter—such an awesome experience, absolutely worth every penny!

Beautiful and fun. Thanks God the weather was nice for our safety and stunning masterpiece. Sadly it will be melted within 10 years.

Very easy and short hike to the glacier from the car park. The Glacier is shrinking on a fast pace. Worth visiting but you can not compare it to the impressive glacier in Iceland, greenland and patagonia.

Wasn't a bad experience overall, got a new view on the helicopter ride, gear provided so you don't really need to bring your own unless you don't like wearing shared gear, the tour itself around 4hours abit longer than I wanted it to be I think 2-3hours good enough anything more you kinda get bored, very friendly staff, freestyling and taking g you around the glacier whilst giving you some educational talks which is nice, ideally bring a pack lunch as it will drag and you'll probably get hungry on on or after the walk then waiting around some more before boarding the helicopter for going back

This trip was amazing. Ian was so informative & engaging right from the get go telling us about the Okarito/Rowi kiwi, their habitat & what we’d be getting involved with over the course of the night. His instructions were clear, concise allowing the small group of us to get the most out of the tour. Of which we did handsomely, by seeing the whole family of kiwis in their natural habitat all without disturbing them in their usual activities. Ian made sure everyone knew what was needed so he could do his best to respectfully spot the kiwi’s. To hear their calls both male/female was just as impressive. This is no ordinary tour but if you want to have a true experience to see the kiwi especially the rarest species of all, not in an enclosure but the wild then this is not to be missed. Ian makes it a wonderful experience, you feel privileged at the end to have participated.

As keen birders, one of our top goals for our visit to New Zealand was to see a kiwi in the wild. Having read many positive reviews, I emailed Ian regarding a kiwi tour on the dates we had available and was quickly booked in. As a professional birding guide, I expected Ian would be excellent at finding birds and showing them to clients and this certainly proved to be the case. When "Moss" the male Okarito Kiwi emerged from the bush and onto the open track, Ian had positioned us beautifully and everybody got great views from only a few meters away. Equally important and just as impressive as Ian's superb bird finding skills are his interpersonal communication skills. It's no small feat to convert a group of strangers of all ages and diverse backgrounds into a team of kiwi finders. To equip the group with knowledge, skills and mindset necessary to find a shy, nocturnal kiwi in the bush and work selflessly together to give everybody the best chance of viewing one of these endangered and elusive birds. The apparent ease with which Ian achieves this transformation is testament to his team building skills. If you're serious about seeing a Kiwi in the wild, then Ian is definitely your man. However, make sure you are serious, because there will long periods of standing in the dark, listening intently, while hungry mosquitoes buzz around your head. If you have more of a casual interested in seeing a Kiwi, go to one of the many zoos that have them on display. An authentic viewing of a Kiwi in the wild takes commitment, effort and persistence and Ian’s guidance!

This was such an incredible experience. Ian was beyond welcoming when we arrived and his humour was great. I can't tell whether he is incredible at his job or the kiwis are paid actors, because his "plan b" to find a kiwi for the evening turned out incredibly and let us see Ember and hear her partner calling through the bush. Such a great way to spend an evening and well worth the money. Also he is a fountain of knowledge about the other wildlife in the area and we got some great tips to watch for the local birds 😊

This tour was absolutely incredible and something to remember for the rest of my life! We got to see a Kiwi in the wild and Ian was extremely knowledgeable, not just about the Kiwis but all the other wildlife we saw as well. If you have to pick one guided tour in New Zealand this is the one to do, even if it’s a bit of a detour!! We actually went out with Ian twice, as we were missing a bit of good luck on the first trip and all the birds headed into the wrong direction the first night. This wasn’t for a lack of trying on Ian’s side though, who did everything in his power to find us a Kiwi until 1 am that night. That’s just how it goes with wildlife sometimes though, and my girlfriend and I both agreed that the first night was almost more fun, getting to hunt for the kiwis all night and listening to Ian explain all the facts around these birds. We heard them call for each other multiple times, saw Keas and native Owls and even a rare cuckoo. Just an overall amazing night and special experience. Ian was the gracious enough to take us out again the next night. This time we heard the Kiwi pretty early on, moving through the brush, calling for each other, and even sniffling at each other. Absolutely amazing to witness this, which was crowned by the Female coming out onto the track right in front of us and sticking around for a while so we could all get a good look, before disappearing back into the brush. An unforgettable experience, I may even come back for a third tour during my trip through New Zealand. I could also just sit in a bar with Ian for days and listen to him talk about wildlife and all the fun facts around Kiwis.

The best tour we’ve ever had. Ian is such a profesional guide and truly makes you understand the importance of Kiwi conservation and the role we play in safeguarding the Kiwi during our tour as well. Ian truly made us feel like we were a team, he gave us proper instructions on how to act, what to do and provided us with proper equipment (both for the cold and the mosquitos). And the best of all, we saw a Kiwi incredibly close to us, absolutely amazing. The best experience ever! Thank you Ian for this once in a lifetime experience!

An Unforgettable Kiwi Experience with Ian! Our nighttime kiwi tour with Ian was one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand! Since kiwis are nocturnal and quite rare, we were excited but knew it wouldn’t be easy to spot one. Right from the start, Ian impressed us with his passion and deep knowledge about kiwis. He explained everything about their behavior, played both male and female kiwi calls so we could recognize them later, and showed us the territories of different kiwi pairs. Our first attempt didn’t go as planned. Despite stopping at multiple locations, tracking kiwi calls, and staying patient, the kiwis just didn’t want to come out. But instead of giving up, Ian kept trying new strategies and had us searching right until the last moment. Even though we didn’t see a kiwi that night, we were amazed by how much we learned and how incredible the experience was just through listening and observing the forest. Since our plans the next day got canceled due to the weather, we decided to join the tour again—and this time, luck was on our side! By 10:30 PM, we finally saw a female kiwi. First, we heard her calls and footsteps, then she suddenly appeared right in front of us, sniffing the air and standing there for about 30 seconds before disappearing into the bushes. A little later, she came back, giving us a perfect view of her little feet and her signature wobbly walk before vanishing again. That moment was absolutely magical! After so much patience and anticipation, seeing a kiwi up close was an unforgettable experience. A huge thank you to Ian for his dedication, expertise, and tireless effort. Even if we hadn’t seen a kiwi, the tour would have been 100% worth it—but with the Kiwi as the highlight, it was simply perfect! Highly recommended—a must-do for all nature and wildlife lovers!

Ian's passion for kiwis is absolutely infectious! His deep knowledge and enthusiasm shine through in every moment of the tour. Throughout the evening, he shared fascinating facts about kiwi behavior and habitat, making the experience educational even before we began our search. Ian's expert guidance and genuine excitement for these unique birds created an unforgettable experience. Whether you're lucky enough to spot a kiwi or not, his engaging storytelling and intimate knowledge of the local environment make the tour worthwhile. A must-do activity for any wildlife enthusiast visiting the area.

Had a lovely time at this vibrant and cozy spot! The atmosphere was absolutely awesome — warm, welcoming, and full of energy. The decor and vibe made it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff were super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. The only small downside was that the food was a little on the salty side for my taste. However, the flavors were otherwise great, and I’d still recommend giving it a try.

The food tastes great! The restaurant looks Chinese from the outside, but inside you’ll find decorations from different cultures, like India and Thailand. The food also has a mix of Asian flavors. If you don’t feel like eating Western food, this is a good place to go.

We had A wonderful experience at King Tiger. The food was fantastic! We shared the KT fried chicken and it was a large portion for 2 but we woofed it down… followed by the lamb Rogan Josh curry and a garlic Naan bread! It was delicious! Great value and the service was friendly and helpful- thank you can’t wait to come back! Your music playlist was fantastic!

We were craving for Indian food and found this place as a blessing. Excellent food, service and ambience. We ordered the green chicken curry and rotis and it came with a serving of rice. Delicious and filling.

The food was delicious, the location was excellent, and the staff were helpful, cheerful, and very cooperative. We wanted to make sure the food was halal, and the staff confirmed that the chicken was halal, so we ordered biryani along with yellow dal, pakora, and tandoori. The outdoor seating was absolutely beautiful with the stunning view and pleasant cool weather. For us, the outdoor seating wins a million times over the indoor area.

Food was amazing! Portion size was very fair given the price and location. Took home lots of leftovers. Lots of vegetarian options, and able to cater to vegan as well. Service was friendly and helpful. Thank you!

This was the best Indian/Thai food I’ve ever had. Great portion sizes and generous with the meat. The chefs really care about the food they make. Staff was so lovely and had great service. You won’t be disappointed!

We spent 3 nights in Franz Josef and stopped in here on our first night for Happy hour. The service and cocktails were amazing so we stayed for dinner, which was also delicious. We were keen for an Ouzo after dinner and they had none available. So the manager went out and got a bottle for us to have a few drinks. We enjoyed it so much we came back every night and had dinner here twice. We tried the Salmon, Steak, Ribs, and the chicken burger. All very tasty and generous servings. Lovely to sit outside in the middle of winter with the heaters on.

We really enjoyed the pie option… no ordinary pie but the choice of venison or goat. We had goat. Fantastic, with lovely fresh salad and a pile of really hot fries along with a good bottled very tasty gravy. It is BIG. My wife & I shared and it was enough. My guest had venison and also loved it. Fourth member had pasta & king prawns. The food is excellent and outside seating in brilliant mid Sept sun was an ideal setting. Try it

I would like say the service is good and cheerful, especially the staff who has his very unique hair cut is friendly and helpful. The foods are find just ok. We have ordered the pizza and fish & chip. The fish is very plain if we don't use any source, perhaps it maybe same as others. Similar to the pizza.

[holiao] 1) Overall - western restaurant, chill and cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, great portion size, offers happy hour, spacious seating capacity, food and drink selection are beer, pizza, burger, salad and many more from The Landing Restaurant & Bar 2) seafood chowder - Creamy and hearty with generous chunks of seafood. Rich in flavor, though could use a touch more seasoning to enhance the ocean freshness. 3) Pumpkin Soup - Smooth, slightly sweet, and comforting. Well-blended with a natural pumpkin taste, perfect as a warm starter. Would be even better with a dash of spice or cream swirl. 4) hawaiian pizza - Classic sweet and savory combo. The pineapple adds a juicy tang that pairs well with the smoky ham. Crust was nicely baked—crispy outside, soft inside. A comforting choice for those who enjoy fruit on pizza 5) creamy carbonara - Rich and indulgent with a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. The balance of cream, cheese, and a hint of smokiness was comforting. Slightly heavy, but very satisfying for a classic comfort meal.

Not recommended for vegetarians. We had vegetarian nachos and pizza. The service was very friendly and the beer was good. The pizza was only a small step above a frozen pizza. The vegetarian nachos were also quite poor. The food with meat looked quite good though.

We had an amazing meal at this restaurant! 🌟 The food was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The staff were not only professional but also incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. A truly great experience — thank you for a wonderful time! 🙏🍽️

I honestly can’t say enough good things about our waiter — absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, he made us feel so welcome and taken care of. His attention to detail was incredible — drinks were always full, food came out perfectly timed, and they checked in just the right amount without ever being intrusive. What really stood out was their personality — friendly, genuine, and clearly passionate about what they do. You could tell they truly cared about making our experience special. They even remembered all our little requests and made great recommendations that turned out to be spot-on. It’s rare to find someone who brings this level of professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm to their job. Honestly, this was one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had, all thanks to them. If every restaurant had a waiter like this, every meal would be unforgettable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Absolutely phenomenal service!