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Useful Information

We have provided this information to help you plan your vacation to Glacier Country. 
 
Emergency
Dial 111 
 
Doctor
(Based at Whataroa): +64 3 753 4172
Regular consultations at Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Glacier 
 
Police Station
Franz Josef Police
Po Box 49, Main Road, Franz Josef
03 756 1070 
 
Postal Agencies
Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier Guiding Building, Main Road
Franz Josef Glacier - Glacier Motors Ltd, Main Road
Whataroa - White Heron Store & Tearooms, Main Road. 
 
Money Services
An ATM machine is available in Franz Josef outside the Mt Cook Ski Plane Building. There is no ATM facility in Fox Glacier. Eftpos and credit cards are accepted for most services. 
 
Foreign Exchange
Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier Guiding Building, Main Road
Franz Josef Glacier - Fern Grove Souvenirs, Main Road 
 
Churches
Five local churches hold regular Catholic or Anglican services. Check locally for service times. 
 
Lions Club of South Westland
Meet first Thursday of each month at Harihari Motor Inn.
Enquiries (03) 752 0725 
 
Glacier Country Climate
Weather in Glacier Country is spectacular with its sudden and intense contrasts. When it rains it 'fair buckets down'. Average rainfall is 4700mm falling on about 178 rain days. However, there are many clear, sunny days - an average of 1860 sunshine hours annually, more than in many other regions in New Zealand. Late summer and mid winter are particularly noted for milder than average South Island temperatures and high sunshine hours. 
 
Temperature range
Summer days 10-21 degrees Celcius
Winter days 2-12 degrees Celcius 
 
Daylight hours
Longest day 5.30am - 10.00pm
Shortest day 7.30am - 5.30pm 
 
Weather forecasts
Telephone 0900 999 03 (within New Zealand only) 
 
Safe Driving
Enjoy your journey and arrive safely. 
 

To ensure your comfort and safety while travelling, you must observe the following signs and road rules: 

 
Keep Left
Always drive on the left side of the road. Be especially careful when pulling out from driveways, rest areas and car parks. 
 
Speed Limit
The maximum open road speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour. Please note any exceptions in certain areas especially road works. Speed limits through towns and cities vary and you must obey all signposted speed limits. 
 
Give Way (yield)
Slow down, be ready to stop and give way ("yield") to all traffic. 
 
Stop
Stop completely, yield to all traffic and proceed only when all traffic is clear. 
 
One Lane Bridge
Give way, yield on a red arrow. 
 
Safety Belts
All passengers within a vehicle must wear safety belts at all times, by law. Approved child restraints are required for small children. 
 
Railway Crossings
Some railway crossings are controlled with barrier arms, but many in rural areas, while signposted, may have no controls. You must always check both ways for trains before crossing. 
 
Livestock
Watch out for livestock on rural roads. Follow any instructions from the farm workers. Be prepared for wandering livestock and check your speed. 
 
Road Conditions
New Zealand roads are generally of a good standard, although once outside the cities they are mostly single lane roads so make sure you keep left at all times. There are also many unsealed (gravel) roads which require special driving skills - slow down. 
 
There are many roads which can be covered with ice and snow. Slow down and drive carefully - DO NOT brake suddenly. 
 
More Information
For more information on the West Coast, please visit the official Tourism West Coast website.