How to Experience New Zealand’s Glaciers
Few landscapes feel as raw and alive as New Zealand’s glacier country. These shifting rivers of ice are constantly reshaping themselves, surrounded by peaks, valleys, and rainforest. With an Ace rental car, you can explore them on your own schedule—choosing from a mix of trails, flights, and guided tours that show you a side of the country you won’t forget.
Choose Your Glacier
The South Island’s West Coast is home to two of the most accessible glaciers in the world—Franz Josef and Fox. Both can be reached via short drives from their respective towns, and both offer walking tracks that bring you close to the terminal face. If you have more time, the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers a completely different setting, with views over New Zealand’s highest peaks.
Go Beyond the Viewpoint
You can get impressive views from public tracks, but joining a guided trip takes things further. Options range from half-day hikes across glacial moraine to heli-hikes that drop you directly onto the ice. These tours give you access to deep crevasses, ice caves, and formations you can’t reach on your own, plus the safety of an experienced guide.
Take to the Air
Helicopter and small plane flights are one of the most spectacular ways to see glacier country. On a clear day, you’ll get sweeping views of icefields, mountain ridges, and the coastline all in one flight. Many operators also combine sightseeing flights with snow landings, giving you time to walk on the ice before returning.
Mix Ice with Rainforest
One of the unique things about New Zealand’s glaciers is how close they are to lush temperate rainforest. On the West Coast, it’s possible to walk from mossy trails into alpine landscapes within the same day. Keep your eyes open for native birds like kea and tui as you make your way to the glacier viewing points.
Plan for the Weather
Glacier regions get plenty of rain, and conditions can change quickly. Waterproof layers, sturdy footwear, and sun protection are all musts—yes, even in winter. If a flight or heli-hike gets cancelled due to weather, most operators will try to reschedule, so it’s worth allowing a buffer day in your itinerary.
Make the Most of the Towns
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier villages are small but full of character, with hot pools, cafes, and walking tracks nearby. They make a great base for exploring the glaciers and other West Coast highlights like Lake Matheson or the Gillespies Beach track.
A Journey Worth the Drive
Visiting New Zealand’s glaciers is as much about the journey as the destination—the coastal roads, alpine passes, and small towns along the way all add to the experience. Travelling with an Ace rental car means you can set your own schedule, make spontaneous stops, and take in some of the most memorable scenery the country has to offer.
