Hokitika to Franz Josef
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide.

  Travel Facts
Distance: 137 km (86 miles)
Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes
Road Conditions: State Highway 6

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Hokitika - Ross - Whataroa - Franz Josef

The drive south to Franz Josef is easy travelling as we follow State Highway 6.

"The museum and former Gold fields are a must stop for visitors to the region."

The township of Ross, approximately 30kms from Hokitika was once one of the most prosperous gold fields on the Coast. The museum and former Gold fields are a must stop for visitors to the region.

There is a goldfield walkway to explore, when gold was discovered in this region is was unusual in that it was found in all forms; alluvial deposits, quartz and beach sand gold.

The Water Race walk is a moderate walk with some up hill sections which will take about one hour for the round trip.

Hokitika - Ross - Whataroa - Franz Josef

The road south skirts the eastern shore of Lake Ianthe a popular picnic spot and one of Westland's scenic gems, a perfectly located photo opportunity.

This region while predominantely a farming area is the northern gateway to Westland's Tai Poutini National Park, at Harihari the Coastal Walkway once used to bring in supplies for miners is one of a range of walks and tracks that offer spectacular views. Nestled between the rugged Southern Alps and just as rugged coast line Harihari is is approximately the halfway point between Franz Josef and Hokitika.

The road takes you past many of Westlands scenic wonders and awesome sites, but with a wild streak. The farmland is trying to turn back into forest, and the beauty of the snow and ice feed rivers is primeaval as they literally carve their way around the mountainous regions spilling out on the flat lands before pushing on to meet the Tasman.

At Whataroa, (25 minutes north of Franz Josef), you can visit New Zealand's only White Heron (Kotuku) nesting colony. Nesting season generally runs from late October through to March.

Entry is by permit only, tours are approximately 2 and a half hours in duration where you can also see Little Shag and Royal Spoonbill and other birdlife all in their naturl environmnet.

Hokitika - Ross - Whataroa - Franz Josef

Within the boundary of Tai Poutini National park there are in excess of 60 glaciers, the two most easily accessible and well known are Franz Josef / Waiau and Fox Glaciers.

Franz Josef Glacier, Westland, New Zealand.

Franz Josef Glacier is one of the regions unique relics of the last ice age. Rivers of white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, like Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Nowhere else in the world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude.

First explored in 1865, you can walk to the terminal of the glacier in about 10 minutes. Franz Josef township has a good range of accommodation and eating establishments.

A short drive south, 25 minutes, will bring you to Fox Glacier. With Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers so near each other you have a wide range of activities to choose from in Glacier Country.

One must see moment to begin your Glacier Adventures tomorrow is at Lake Matheson, just west of Fox Glacier. Shortly after sunrise the still waters of the Lake mirror the peaks of New Zealand's highest Mountains Tasman and Cook to their best photo opportunity.

Lastly a word of caution when visiting.

Please do not be stupid and enter onto either of the Glaciers unless you are with a Trained Guide. Both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are living, moving rivers of ice and they can be dangerous.

Welcome to Glacier Country - enjoy your stay

This Guide last Updated: November 2010.