Westwood Lodge- A Select Hotel
Hotel Class: 
4.5 Stars - 69 Opinions
6 State Highway, Franz Josef, 7952, New Zealand
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95%
of people enjoy staying here
69 Opinions
- Excellent
- 39
- Very Good
- 20
- Average
- 8
- Poor
- 1
- Terrible
- 1
More about Franz Josef Glacier
Photos
some flowers at the office
AJ braves the cold water
The way in
Nice backdrop of the glacier
Forum Posts
Which track is highly recommended in Franz Josef Glacier region?
by kennyboi
Hi all,
I am looking for a hike (or combination of few short walks) for a total of about 90 minutes in duration. Can anyone recommend me which one is best for scenery?
There are a good selection of tracks here:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/west-coast/franz-josef-area/
Unfortunately, I don't have time to do them all...
Thanks in advance!
Re: Which track is highly recommended in Franz Josef Glacier region?
by Kakapo2
As said in your Fox question, the best 90 min walk at Franz Josef is the walk to the terminal face.
At the start of this walk, only a minute from the carpark, is the Sentinel Rock walk, this is steep but only 15 to 20 min return. It offers rather a beautiful view of the glacial valley and the glacier.
Half way between Franz Josef and the glacier carpark is the Lake Wombat walk. At certain times of the year it is great for birdwatching, especially tui. It is a nice rainforest walk. But I think for rainforest the Minnehaha walk at Fox is nicer. The lake is not really spectacular but the track is nice.
Re: Which track is highly recommended in Franz Josef Glacier region?
by kennyboi
I had booked half day guided glacier hike at Franz Josef. In case the walk to the terminal face as you suggested is already be included in this hike, what other option is there? Thanks!
Re: Which track is highly recommended in Franz Josef Glacier region?
by Kakapo2
Yes, the walk to the terminal face is included in the half-day glacier walk. So you can walk to Lake Wombat or up Sentinel Rock. Most of the other good walks are longer.
Travel Tips for Franz Josef Glacier
Retreating Glacier
by Aidy_p
This information board provided me with an understanding of what is happening to the glacier. The board had the earliest photo taken in 1867 where you can see that the valley was covered with a sheet of ice.
In 1909, the ice started to retreat. In 1939, the glacier further melted, turning the entire valley into a lake. Circa 2003, the waters are all gone, and the glacier has retreated even further back. All these in a short span of less than a 100 years. What it means for our children is that there may be a time where Franz Josef Glacier may be no more.
Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
by imstress
http://www.glacierhelicopters.co.nz/
"Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters offers a range of scenic helicopter flights from 10 minutes to several hours’ duration. Flights depart from Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Queenstown.
At Fox Glacier there is a popular flight combination with glacier hiking. This “flights plus” combinations with hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling enable thrillseekers with limited time to “get away from it all” and the opportunity to experience areas of New Zealand’s wilderness renowned for their outstanding natural beauty.
The helicopter bases are centrally located and complimentary pick up and drop off transfers are available."
Pls refer to the website for more information or refer to their brochuers which I have scanned.
Glacier Valley Walk
by rozehill
This walk takes 1 hour and 20 minutes return an dfollows the Waiho riverbed to the Glacier Terminal.
If you look closely in the centre of this photo you can see a huge hunk of ice broken of the glacier and flowing along the river! It is incredible to see this ice!
Ice Blocks
by Atre
Where the glacier melts and turns into a river you can watch giant blocks of ice be pushed down the river, the landscape here is littered with iceblocks. You can even pick up iceblocks and lick them!
Walk around Franz Josef Town
by imstress
Franz Josef is a small town that surive on tourism.
The main street have lots of tour agent where you can book helicoper rides, heli hikes and glacier half day or full day hikes.
There are restaurants on the main street.
The Lady of Alps Catholic Church and New Zealand Fire Service Franz Josef can all be found on the main street.
Even on the main street, you could have a very good view of the Franz Josef Glacier as well as the rain forest.
Hotel Helper
Franz Josef Glacier
Questions and Answers
Q: Franz Josef - full day or half day tour? "I would like an honest opinion from someone who have been to the FJ glacier with the FJ Guides. I am definitely going to FJ in..."
A: "we did this a few years ago when our children were small
it was a longish walk to the foot of the glacier over quite a rough path - it must have taken half an..."
Read 8 Replies »
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