Your Ultimate Glacier Country Summer Guide

Glacier Country is a landscape of pristine glaciers, ancient rainforest, wild beaches and peaceful lakes. Sitting within Te Wāhipounamu, South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Area, it is a place where every day invites you outside. Summer’s longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures and relaxed pace make this an ideal time to explore at your own pace.

Here’s your go to guide for making the most of summer in Glacier Country.

Footprints on Gillespies Beach, Fox Glacier. Photo Credit: Geoff Marks.

Top Camping Spots

Camping is a classic Kiwi way to spend summer and there are some memorable places to park up or pitch a tent. Whether you’re travelling by campervan or setting up a tent local campgrounds and campervan parks make it easy to settle in, enjoy great facilities and immerse yourself in the outdoors. Staying at designated campsites helps protect this special place, ensuring Glacier Country remains pristine for future generations.

Both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier villages offer excellent camping and campervan options. All set in scenic locations with great facilities and easy access to walking tracks, cafés and local attractions.

There are two Department of Conservation campsites in the area with basic facilities. One at Lake Mapourika near Franz Josef and another at Gillespies Beach (21km’s from Fox Glacier, not suitable for long vehicles due to unsealed and narrow road).

Okarito has a community campground situated just a few minutes’ walk from both the beach and lagoon. With simple amenities and a relaxed coastal setting it offers everything you need for a comfortable stay close to nature.

If you are not into camping there are plenty of accommodation options to suit every travel style.

Surrounded by rainforest at Orange Sheep Campervan Park in Franz Josef.

Exploring the Glaciers

All glacier experiences are available in summer and all offer unforgettable ways to experience these iconic landscapes.

Fox Glacier Guides offer a range of guided adventures to experience Fox Glacier including heli hikes, ice climbing and e-bike and hike experiences. Franz Josef Glacier Guides offer experiences to explore Franz Josef glacier including heli hikes, ice climbing, glacier encounters and an overnight glacier camping experience – the only place in New Zealand where you can camp on a glacier.

For a bird’s-eye view Glacier Country is home to some of the most spectacular scenic flights in New Zealand. Choose from helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft with options for snow landings. In just minutes you can travel from temperate rainforest to soaring above the glaciers beside Aoraki / Mount Cook.

Glacier Valley Eco Tours offer guided walking tours in both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier sharing local knowledge and insight into the region’s geology, glacial history and rainforest ecosystems. There are also a number of walks to glacier viewpoints suitable for a range of abilities. Walks to view Fox Glacier include the Fox Glacier Southside Walk and Te Kopikopiko o te Waka viewpoint. To view Franz Josef Glacier you can opt for a short walk like the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk and Sentinel Rock walk or for the more experienced hikers Roberts Point Track and Alex Knob Track.

Take an unforgettable scenic flight in Glacier Country with year round snow landings. Photo Credit: Glacier Helicopters

Best Places for Sunsets

West is best when it comes to sunsets and there is not shortage of beautiful places to slow down and watch the day fade. Here is some of our favourite spots.

Bruce Bay the southern gateway to Glacier Country is where towering rimu forest meets the Tasman Sea. It’s a stunning spot for an evening beach walk to witness the sun sinking into the ocean as the sky glows with colour.

Gillespies Beach accessed from the town of Fox Glacier is a beautiful secluded spot. As the sun goes down be sure to look inland too, the Southern Alps including Aoraki / Mount Cook glow beautifully in the evening light.

At Okarito Beach sunsets are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. Gather around a beachside campfire or wander down to the Okarito Wharf and listen to the abundant birdsong as the light softens over the water.

Lake Matheson in Fox Glacier is one of New Zealand’s best short walks and sunset is a beautiful time for a visit. On calm evenings, reflections of the sky join those of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in creating a picture perfect scene that’s well worth lingering for.

The perfect end to a days exploring at Okarito Beach: golden skies, ocean views and good company. Photo Credit: Bare Kiwi

Swimming Spots

On warm summer days there’s nothing like a refreshing swim, if you are looking to cool down here are some of our favourite places.

Lake Mapourika is a local favourite in Franz Josef with summer water temperatures reaching 25–26°C. Head to Jetty Bay or Otto’s Corner for swimming, picnicking or just relaxing by the water. You can hire or join a guided kayak or stand up paddle board tour with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours.

In Okarito just down from the community campground there’s a small lagoon pool on the beach that’s perfect for a refreshing dip on hot days. The Okarito Wharf is ideal for a picnic and gentle paddle and you’ll often spot kōtuku / white heron feeding in the lagoon. Kayaks can be hired or guided tours with Okarito Kayaks, offering a peaceful way to explore New Zealand’s largest unmodified coastal wetland.

Soaking in the mirror like reflections at Lake Mapourika with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours SUP’s (Stand Up Paddle Boards).

Outdoor Dining

One of the joys of visiting Glacier Country is dining outdoors surrounded by fresh air, mountains and the vibrant atmosphere of our villages.

Both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier boast lively hospitality scenes with many cafés, restaurants and bars, far more than you might expect from towns of this size. From casual bites to world-class dining, food and drink here is always served with a friendly smile and always accompanied by stunning views.

All cafés, restaurants and bars offer outdoor seating perfect for a relaxed breakfast, long lunch, evening meal or just a drink while soaking in the scenery and village atmosphere. Many local bars also feature live music in the evenings over the summer period.

Monsoon Restaurant and Bar offers relaxed indoor and outdoor dining as well as regular live music in the evenings.

Plan your Glacier Country Summer Escape

From glacier adventures, walks and scenic camping spots to sunsets, calm lakes and relaxed outdoor dining there’s lots to discover in Glacier Country.

• Explore things to do
• Find a place to stay
• Dining options