Expat Explorers - travels with my family ideas...insight...inspiration
Get in contact
  • About
    • Meet the family
    • Photo gallery
  • Blog
  • Travel ideas & advice
    • Expat suitcase >
      • Moving to Dubai
      • Moving to Singapore
    • Jigsaw pieces: travel advice
    • Australasia
    • Middle East
    • South East Asia
    • USA
    • Where in the world are we?
  • In the news
    • Freelance work
    • Who said that? Travel quotes
    • Signs that make you think
  • The book
  • Contact us
    • Explorers' Club

Flying to the moon: New Zealand’s glacier capital

3/3/2014

0 Comments

 
New Zealand travelFranz Josef glacier
A couple of hours north of Wanaka are the little towns of Fox and Franz Josef, named after the glaciers that sit in the mountain valleys. The West Coast is still sparsely populated so don’t expect a metropolis. A gold rush boom in the 1860s brought prospectors to the area, and it has progressively developed, rather than rushed through the last 150 years. These gold diggers were the real pioneers, foraging in the forests for food, camping where they could and creating cattle tracks to help make the region more accessible. The main artery, Highway 6, was only surfaced sixty years ago. Although it brings welcome access from Wanaka to Hokitika it is frequently closed due to landslides and mud slips, isolating the villages once more. We drove though just days after a mudslide had closed the road, sweeping a campervan and its occupants with it. It’s a reminder that the countryside doesn’t like to be tamed.

We drove along the lush, windy road, vaguely aware that there were greater forces above us, but it wasn’t until the rain stopped and the clouds split that we had our first glace of the snow-capped mountains.

Taking advantage of this gap in the weather, we joined a helicopter tour to the top of the mountain. Both thrilling and exhilarating, it was the best way to see the glacier and experience the raw mountain. Offering access that isn’t possible approaching by foot, our pilot settled on top of the soft snow long enough for us to throw a snowball and create an ice angel. It felt as if we have visited the moon. Ten minutes previously we were wandering through green bush. Now we were in the clouds surrounded by a glistening while landscape.

Franz Josef is a thrill-seekers paradise, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be fast and furious. With two young children in tow we joined a kayak group and paddled the black glacial waters in search of white herons. On one day the lake can reflect the mountains like a perfect mirror. On others it’s black, blustery and threatening.

The changing scenery and weather is as much a part of New Zealand travel as the adventure sports.

Things to do:
·      Helicopter Glacier Tours: Alpine Adventures, www.scenic-flights.co.nz
·      Kayaking: we joined Glacier Country Kayaks www.glacierkayaks.com
·      Glacier hot pools: www.glacierhotpools.co.nz
·      Wild life:
o   West Coast Wildlife Centre: see kiwis at this indoor centre. www.wildkiwi.co.nz
o   White Heron Sanctuary Tours: www.whiteherontours.co.nz
 ·      Culture: Maori Cultural Experience by Puawai: a new live performance of traditional songs and dance. Be prepared for some participation and fun. www.maoriculturalcentre.co.nz

Where to stay:
·      In the countryside: Glenfern villas are just 6km from Franz Josef but offers a peaceful retreat with beautiful views and alpacas to feed. www.glenfern.co.nz
·      In town: 58 on Cron motel is within walking distance of Franz Josef’s restaurants and bars. www.58oncron.co.nz

Kayaking in New Zealand
Kayaking with children
New Zealand Franz Josef
Making friends
New Zealand glacier
Helicopter to the top
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Get the book

    Picture

    Destinations

    All
    Abu Dhabi
    Advice & Top Tips
    Al Ain
    America
    Argentina
    Arizona
    Australia
    Bali
    Batam
    Belfast
    Burma
    California
    Cambodia
    Chicago
    Dubai
    England
    Expat Life
    Hong Kong
    Illinois
    Indonesia
    Japan
    Java
    Jordan
    Kuwait
    Las Vegas
    London
    Malaysia
    Misc
    Myanmar
    Nevada
    New Zealand
    Northern Ireland
    Oman
    Ras Al Khaimah
    Restaurants
    Salt Lake City
    San Diego
    Scotland
    Singapore
    Southeast Asia
    Travel Musings
    Uae
    UK
    Usa
    Utah
    Wales
    Woodstock

    RSS Feed

    Or if you prefer to receive an email update click here to register.

    Archives

    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    June 2019
    April 2019
    July 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.