West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps Holidays

Where are West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps?
The West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps are located in New Zealand’s South Island. The Southern Alps form the backbone of South Island, stretching 400 miles along the west coast and incorporating Fox and Franz Josef’s glaciers.

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Twin glaciers
There are few glaciers in the world that are as accessible as Franz Josef and Fox. The best way to experience their glacial crevasses, icefalls and blue ice grottos is to take a heli-hike. Equipped with crampons, waterproofs and glacial boots, you will be flown by helicopter onto the glacier for a two-hour hike with an expert guide. Alternatively, you may wish to hike up from either Franz Josef or Fox villages to the face of the glacier.

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Aoraki & the Southern Alps
Located in the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak at 3,724 metres. Surrounding it is Mount Cook National Park, home to permanent snow fields, stunning glaciers and 19 peaks over 3,000 metres high. It was here that Sir Edmund Hillary did much of his training before he set off to conquer Mount Everest. New Zealand’s Southern Alps were named by Captain Cook in 1770 and the region is instantly recognisable as the backdrop for The Lord of the Rings. Take a scenic flight for an aerial perspective of the sheer grandeur of this incredibly beautiful part of New Zealand.

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Māori culture
The lakes and mountains of New Zealand play a significant part in Māori culture. When Aoraki and his brothers’ waka (canoe) overturned, the cold turned them to stone. Aoraki, the eldest son of Rakinui, was the name given to Mount Cook and his brothers became other named peaks of the Southern Alps. The Māori stories behind Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are quite tragic. Tuawe fell to his death whilst climbing, leaving his beloved, Hine Hukatere heartbroken. Fox Glacier is called Te Moeka o Tuawe, meaning the bed of Tuawe and Franz Josef’s Māori name is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere which translates as the tears of Hine Hukatere.

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Iconic lakes
The scenic landscapes of New Zealand are reflected in its beautiful lakes. Lake Matheson was formed by the retreating of Fox Glacier over 14,000 years ago. On a calm day the dark colour of the water makes it ideal for capturing the reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Lake Tekapo is famous for its unusual milky-turquoise colour caused by fine rock-flour which is ground by glaciers and left in the water. On its shore you’ll find the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most popular photo spots in New Zealand and a superb frame for the Southern Alps backdrop beyond.

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