Photo: Franz Josef Glacier New Zealand

Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island of New Zealand is designated as a World Heritage Site.

Taking a helicopter tour and flying above the Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island of New Zealand is one of the most spectacular scenic views you will probably ever get of this amazing glacier. The Franz Josef Glacier is situated in Westland National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand and descends to just 200 meters above sea level amongst the lush greenery of a temperate rainforest.Franz Josef Glacier is 12 kilometers long at the present time and ends about 19 kilometers from the Tasman Sea. It displays a cyclic pattern of advancement and retreat due to the difference of the meltwater at the foot of the glacier and the volume of snowfall.The Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand is one of the main tourist attractions on the West Coast where you can take guided or unguided walks up to the glacier. If you have the right equipment you can actually walk on the glacier but ice axes and crampons that latch onto a boot are required. ... continue below the picture...

... Walking up to the glacier takes a long time and only goes as far as the first icefall but taking an helicopter tour you can get dropped off between the first and second icefall and take a 1-2 hour walk atop the glacier. You never know what kind of hike you will have on the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand as the glacial landscape changes every day and different circumstances arise.Franz Josef Glacier seen during a Mount Cook Spectacular with landing flight (40 minutes) with Glacier Helicopters, Westland, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.