In this article we will show you the best things to do in Fox Glacier Township, without having to leave the town. If it isn’t immediately at your fingertips in Fox Glacier, we have not written about it here (so many articles for “things to do in Fox Glacier” describe hikes and pubs in Franz Josef, which is half an hour away!).
Having lived and worked in Fox Glacier for a short while, we uncovered some of the best things to do on our days off, and now we are sharing them with you.
Dive straight in and we’ll give you insight to the best views, where to eat and even a few hidden gems in this tiny tiny town on the West Coast of New Zealand.
Heli Hike of Fox Glacier
One of the most popular tourist attractions of Fox Glacier is going up in a helicopter to see the glacier.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure by exploring the mighty Fox Glacier. Join a guided glacier hike and witness the breathtaking beauty of this frozen wonderland.
Skilled guides will lead you through ice caves, seracs, and crevasses, providing a unique opportunity to witness the glacier’s ever-changing landscape.
Make sure to capture the awe-inspiring moments, surrounded by towering ice formations and striking blue ice.
You can book a heli hike here.
Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson is home to one of the most iconic images in New Zealand.
You will experience tranquillity at its finest by visiting this lake, due to the famous, mirror-like reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in its dark waters.
This place is a photographer’s dream!
We recommend visiting Lake Matheson at either dusk or dawn, where you will find the water at its calmest and the lighting just right for that perfect shot.
The weather has a huge effect of this beautiful lake and if it’s windy or raining (even lightly) you may not get the same unbroken mirror-like effect you would have on a calm dry day.
You can walk around the entire lake in about an hour and a half. It is surrounded by lush native bush, which provides a home for a variety of native wildlife.
But as there are multiple spots for awesome nature and landscape photography, we recommend allowing for longer.
Where is Lake Matheson?
Lake Matheson is found 6km away from the centre of town, so having a car here is useful. However, everyone is friendly enough and hitching a ride would be easy.
If you are driving into Fox Glacier from the south (through the Haast Pass), then it is your first left once in the township. There is a big brown sign at the turnoff for you. Once you are on this road, drive the 6km in a straight line and you’ll get to another signpost for Lake Matheson and the Lake Matheson Cafe.
Lake Gault
This is the hidden gem that we mentioned earlier.
(With the exception of the weather on the day we went.)
Act as if you’re heading to Lake Matheson but once you get there, check the signs and see that Lake Gault tucked away up a track about an hour and a half walk away. You’ll find yourself hiking uphill through the lush West Coast bush to a lake in the sky.
It is really well signposted from Lake Matheson- just keep an eye out for the sign pictured below and you won’t go wrong.
Again, the best time to visit Lake Gault would be for sunrise or sunset otherwise you end up with cloudy, crappy, over exposed photos like ours! But working hospitality in Fox Glacier, we were rarely able to be off for sunset or awake for sunrise.
Fox Glacier Viewpoint
This is the best way to see Fox Glacier without using a helicopter.
10km away from the town you will find this lookout point on the same left turning as Lake Matheson, except further down.
On a cloudless day, the views are impeccable. You can see the glacier and the surrounding peaks of the mountains, including New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook.
As with most things to do in Fox Glacier, this is a stunning spot to come for sunset.
This spot (Te Kopikopiko o te Waka) is also a cultural heritage site telling the story of how Te Wai Ponamu/The South Island came to be. To find out more about this story before your visit click here.
Minnehaha Walk / Te Weheka Walkway
You will find the Minnehaha Walk / Te Weheka Walkway starting by the national speed limit sign on the southerly route out of Fox Glacier (in the general direction of the glacier – not the viewpoint).
It is quite tucked away, and we stumbled across it when we went exploring on one of our first days in Fox.
The Minnehaha Walk in Fox Glacier is great for a few reasons:
- It is extremely close to the town- literally two minutes away.
- You can experience some authentic West Coast rainforest.
- It is only a 600m loop; so it’s something you can do really quickly.
- Glowworms- If you go at night, the entire loop is filled with glowworms.
- It links to the Te Weheka Walkway, which leads you to the largest active landslide in New Zealand.
- The track (for both short walks) is fairly flat making it quite accessible.
This is an extremely easy track to walk, and you can walk all the way to the landslide and back within an hour to an hour and a half.
Gillespie's Beach
Gillespie’s Beach could be an entire day out in its own right.
It is home to a plethora of hikes, all with views of the Southern Alps on a good day. Whether you want a short or long hike, this beach has got you covered.
You will find Gillespie’s Beach located a 20-minute drive down a gravel track. Continue past the Fox Glacier Viewpoint and you’ll be led onto the track. It may seem odd but follow down the dusty gravel track through the west coast rainforest for about 10kms and you’ll pop out into a car park.
Be careful though as the road is very tight and with lots of vans etc travelling to and from the beach so just be extra careful.
If a dinosaur ran out in front of us while we were driving along this track, we genuinely would not have been surprised- it was so rugged!
Places to eat in Fox Glacier
As the town is small, you are extremely limited on places to eat in Fox Glacier.
We’re not going to sugar coat it- you have three options for dinner.
Despite being so small, however, the food is good.
If you are travelling through Fox Glacier during the busy season (December through until March), then we recommend trying to book a table for dinner as everywhere gets full on the nice days.
The Cook Saddle
A saloon bar that serves decent food and a broad selection of tap beer, we can recommend popping in here for a bite to eat and a handle of something delicious.
We worked at The Cook Saddle as Duty Managers for a bit, so we know the place inside out!
During our time here, Jess was tasked with updating the wine menu as it needed a breath of fresh air when we arrived. So, if you order a glass (or a bottle, why not?!) of the delicious TWR Pinot Noir or the Mount Difficulty Rosé perhaps, you can thank her for her excellent taste in wines.
Complete with a pool table and a 4am licence, you’re sure to have a good time if that’s what you’re after here!
Just watch out for the locals… 😉
Betsey Jane
Betsey Jane is Fox’s answer to those who want more of a restaurant. It’s got a more ‘high end’ feel to it. With a menu containing Green Lipped Mussels and other classic NZ ingredients it really is a great spot.
This place doesn’t take bookings so be sure to get there early if you want to eat!
The building is only small and the staff are great .
This is the place in Fox Glacier we recommend most to have dinner.
The White Pub
As direct competitors to The Cook Saddle, we absolutely cannot condone you going here.
However, if you do pop over then you’ll be looked after as staff here are great, the menu is good and the drinks are cheap.
There is a pool competition every Friday for $5 if you feel brave enough to challenge some of the other travellers and locals.
Breakfast Options in Fox Glacier
Cafe Neve
This cafe is right on the main street and has a giant metal sun over the door, so if you’re in a rush or don’t have a car then this is the spot for you.
Open from 8:15 this cafe serves coffee and all your classic cooked breakfast items. They have cabinet food and pies so it’s a real win for that quick pit stop.
Lake Matheson Cafe
Definitely our favourite of the two breakfast options. We have eaten at Lake Matheson Cafe a good few times. They have a great menu with all your classic breakfast options as well as a cabinet full of delicious goodies.
It is located at the entrance to the Lake Matheson walk with views of Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook. So, whether you plan on breakfast before or after your walk this place couldn’t be better.
Accommodation in Fox Glacier
The accommodation in Fox Glacier is in much more plentiful supply than the number of places to eat.
Below is a diverse list of your options for accommodation in Fox Glacier- we hope we can help find something suitable for you.
Top 10 Campsite
We cannot recommend these campsites enough if you are camping. We used Top 10 when we camped in Akaroa and in Hamner Springs- it was delightful! Great amenities, well organised, and good locations.
To book a spot, click here.
Lake Matheson View
This is where we stayed when we visited before working in fox and it is a nice spot within walking distance from the centre of the township.
They offer a range of rooms from studios to multiple bedroom apartments.
To book this one click here.
Misty Peaks
This spot is booked up a lot of the time so be sure to book in advance.
This is a real find if you’re coming with the family as they offer a guest house with multiple bedrooms for up to 12 people.
If this sounds like something for you then book here.
Ivory Backpackers
Ivory Backpackers is a highly rated place, with a communal kitchen, TV room, sauna and hot tub surrounded by natural bush, what more could you want after a day exploring glaciers and lakes.
To book this spot click here.
Other Useful Information
For Fox Glacier
Is Freedom Camping Allowed in Fox Glacier?
Technically it is allowed but good luck finding land that isn’t private.
What time does the shop shut in Fox Glacier?
On The Spot, the only shop in Fox Glacier closes at 6pm in the winter months and 7pm during summer months. Get your supplies in early if you think you’ll need them!
Where is the best place to see Fox Glacier?
Fox Glacier Viewpoint. As we mentioned above, this is the best place to see the glacier without booking a helicopter tour.
How Long Should I Spend in Fox Glacier Township?
You can complete all the activities and destinations that Fox Glacier has to offer within two to three days. In one hit, you can easily do Te Weheka Walkway, Gillespie’s Beach, Fox Glacier Viewpoint and Lake Matheson (and even Lake Gault if you wanted to).
But it depends on what your goals are- if you want to catch the sunrise on Lake Matheson (which we do recommend) and at Lake Gault, then unless you can be in two places at once you will have to do this over two days.
Likewise, if you have a heli hike booked, you will be at the mercy of the company and the weather as 60% of flights are cancelled and rearranged due to poor weather/ flying conditions. If a help hike is your goal, then we’d recommend booking a few nights in Fox Glacier just in case you need to rearrange your flight.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling experiences or just here for the afternoon, Fox Glacier has something for everyone.
If you go please let us know your thoughts on this weird and wonderful little township we called home for a few weeks.
Thanks for reading – Jess & Ben
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