24 - Franz Josef & Fox (GlacierKā Roimata o Hine Hukatere / Te Moeka o Tuawe)

🌿 About this place

These two glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox, are among the most unique in the world. Known in Māori as Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere and Te Moeka o Tuawe, they carry deep cultural meaning tied to stories of love and loss.

According to legend, Hine Hukatere lost her beloved Tuawe in the mountains. Her tears froze into ice, forming the glacier that now bears her name.

What makes this place extraordinary is how the glaciers descend from the Southern Alps into lush rainforest, creating a rare and powerful contrast of ice and green landscapes.

✨ What to do around Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

⭐ Don’t Miss

• 🧊 Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere)
  One of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Walk to viewpoints or get closer by air.

• 🧊 Fox Glacier (Te Moeka o Tuawe)
  Slightly quieter but equally impressive, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.

• 🚁 Helicopter glacier landing
  The ultimate experience. Fly over the mountains and land directly on the ice.

• 🌿 Rainforest meets glacier
  A rare environment where dense forest sits right below massive glaciers.

🧭 Explore More

• 🚶 Glacier valley walks
  Easy tracks to viewpoints with incredible scale and perspective.

• 🪞 Lake Matheson (mirror reflections)
  Famous for perfect reflections of Aoraki / Mount Cook on calm days.

• 🌧️ Experience the West Coast weather
  Rain is part of the landscape and what makes everything so green and alive.

• 🪨 Learn about pounamu (greenstone)
  Discover its cultural importance to Māori in the region.