|
 Located on
the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, 148 kms south of Greymouth and
25 Kms from Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is a small town with a population of
320. Franz Josef
town is 5 km from the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face. Its
accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction and the reason why many
people visit Franz Josef.
The 12 km long Franz Josef Glacier is one of New Zealand's most spectacular
natural attractions, a remnant from the Ice Age which is one of South
Westland's major draw card for visitors.
The town is also 20 minutes walk from the Westland National Park.
At Franz Josef there is a range of activities ranging from the walks on Franz Josef
Glacier with a duration of 3 hours, bush walks, scenic helicopter flights of Mt Cook,
Fox, Tasman and Franz Josef Glaciers, to name a few of the activities that are available.
Visitors to Franz Josef will find a small but comfortable township with a First Class
hotel, a good selection of motel, hostel and motor camp accommodation and
several restaurants.
Despite being in the wilderness, the town has all essential
services including a good garage, a district nurse and Visitors Centre and Department
of Conservation Office.
Franz Josef Glacier is services by various
coach/bus operators
providing regular daily services north to
Nelson,
Westport,
Greymouth,
Fox Glacier
and
south to
Wanaka and
Queenstown.
There is no direct air service to Franz Josef Glacier. The nearest airport
for air services from Christchurch is
Hokitika.
There are no passenger train/rail services from Franz Josef Glacier to Fox
Glacier, Queenstown, Wanaka, Hokitika, Greymouth, Westport, Nelson or
Christchurch. |
