After a relaxing stop at the seaside town of Hokitika, we drove south to the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The biggest highlights of this park are the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. The impressive development of both these glaciers is largely due to the West Coast's abundant rain. We visited both these glaciers and it was one of the highlights of our trip.
Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is known to the Maori people as Ka Roimata O Hine Hukatere (Tears of the Avalanche Girl). Legend has it that a girl, who lost her lover after he fell from the local peaks, cried after his death and her flood of tears froze to form the glacier. This glacier was first explored by Europeans in 1865 and was named after the Austrian emperor at the time. After a period of retreat, the Franz Josef glacier started advancing again in 1985 (some experts estimate that it has advanced by up to 70 cm per day). From the car park, we took a twenty minute walk to the look out point, where we got a view of the magnificent glacier.
The Franz Josef Glacier is known to the Maori people as Ka Roimata O Hine Hukatere (Tears of the Avalanche Girl). Legend has it that a girl, who lost her lover after he fell from the local peaks, cried after his death and her flood of tears froze to form the glacier. This glacier was first explored by Europeans in 1865 and was named after the Austrian emperor at the time. After a period of retreat, the Franz Josef glacier started advancing again in 1985 (some experts estimate that it has advanced by up to 70 cm per day). From the car park, we took a twenty minute walk to the look out point, where we got a view of the magnificent glacier.
Fox Glacier
After our stop at the Franz Josef Glacier, we drove about 24 kilometres to the town of Fox Glacier, where we located the B&B that we were going to stay at for the evening. By this time it was quite grey, so we decided to wait until the next day to go to the Fox Glacier look out point. That evening after dinner, we walked around the town and saw scenic helicopter rides being advertised. Up to this point we hadn't even considered taking a helicopter ride to see the glaciers and Mount Cook. Upon returning to our accommodation, we asked for some advice from the owner of the B&B and she suggested that if the weather was good the next day, it was definitely something worth doing. We gave her the go ahead to make a booking for us the next morning (it was already late and the helicopter sightseeing companies were all closed for the day). At this point we weren't sure if we would be able to get a booking or if the weather conditions would be ideal for flying the next day (the scenic helicopter tours could not take place on the day we arrived because of the weather).
We both got up early the next morning and the first thing we did was look outside the window.......it was a beautiful clear day and the mountains were visible ! While we were getting ready, we heard some helicopters in the sky and this was a great sign. Shortly thereafter, the owner of the B&B informed us that she was able to make a booking for us at 10:00 am.
We had a few hours before our helicopter ride, so after breakfast we took a drive to the Fox Glacier look out point, and also to a spot that the owner of the B&B suggested to view the Southern Alps including Mount Cook and Fox Glacier.
We both got up early the next morning and the first thing we did was look outside the window.......it was a beautiful clear day and the mountains were visible ! While we were getting ready, we heard some helicopters in the sky and this was a great sign. Shortly thereafter, the owner of the B&B informed us that she was able to make a booking for us at 10:00 am.
We had a few hours before our helicopter ride, so after breakfast we took a drive to the Fox Glacier look out point, and also to a spot that the owner of the B&B suggested to view the Southern Alps including Mount Cook and Fox Glacier.
Scenic Helicopter Ride
We arrived at the tour office and were driven a short distance to the hanger. In total we were seven people, including the pilot. This was the first helicopter ride for both of us and it turned out to be a really fantastic experience. The route took us over the town of Fox Glacier, over the Franz Josef Glacier, along the Southern Alps where the pilot pointed out majestic Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, and then on to Fox Glacier. We landed at the top of Fox Glacier and got the opportunity to get out and walk around. This was amazing, actually the whole experience from start to finish was amazing. The glaciers and mountains are so beautiful and to see them from above was something else. This was definitely one of the major highlights of our trip.
We arrived at the tour office and were driven a short distance to the hanger. In total we were seven people, including the pilot. This was the first helicopter ride for both of us and it turned out to be a really fantastic experience. The route took us over the town of Fox Glacier, over the Franz Josef Glacier, along the Southern Alps where the pilot pointed out majestic Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, and then on to Fox Glacier. We landed at the top of Fox Glacier and got the opportunity to get out and walk around. This was amazing, actually the whole experience from start to finish was amazing. The glaciers and mountains are so beautiful and to see them from above was something else. This was definitely one of the major highlights of our trip.
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