Fox Glacier is the first glacier you reach if you are are travelling
north
from
Haast.
It was originally called Victoria Glacier, but was renamed to honour the
visit in 1872 of Sir William Fox, the Premier of New Zealand.
You can visit the Westland glaciers at any time of the year because they
are set in rainforest. In fine weather it is wise to visit the glaciers
early in the day as the skies tend to cloud over in the afternoon.
There
is a heavy annual rainfall on the West Coast, especially in the spring,
but
the fine days are especially beautiful and in the winter the heavier
snow
cap on the mountains makes the views even more outstanding. So many
people
visit the area in summer, from Christmas to April, that it is important
to
book accommodation well in advance for these months.
DOC Visitor Centre
For information on walks and on access to the National Park go to the
Visitor Centre. While you are there look at the displays to become
aware
of the geology amd wildlife of the area.
Viewing the Fox Glacier
To reach the glacier travel 8 km (5 miles) along Glacier Road to the car
park and then walk to the foot of the glacier. It takes about five
minutes
to reach the first viewpoint beyond the moraine, but if you continue for
another half hour you reach the closest safe viewpoint near the terminal
face.
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At the foot of the Fox Glacier
Photo source Samantha Clark
(Click here
for a larger version)
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When you reach the foot of the glacier do obey the warning signs and
keep
off the glacier itself. It is dangerous to go close to the terminal
face
as ice blocks split from it without warning. If you want to climb in
the
area contact Alpine Guides
for information about the trips they offer - both walks and heli
hiking.
If you want to take a scenic flight over the glacier ask at the Information
Centre about the companies that offer flights, the timetables and the
costs.
Visit to Lake Matheson - a must!
Make an early start and allow ample time if you want to see the best
reflections in Lake Matheson of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, impressive
peaks in the Southern Alps. The car trip to the Lake from Fox Glacier
township is 6 km (4 miles) along Cook Flat Road, and the walk around the
lake takes about 70 minutes. If you start walking clockwise you will
reach
the special viewing point for the mountains in 40 minutes, but you will
need to allow extra time if you are a keen photographer. We had to wait
about half an hour for the tops of the mountains to clear and be
reflected
in the water.
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View of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflected in the lake
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Naturally the views on a fine day are a special attraction, but the walk
is
worthwhile even in West Coast rain because of the beauty of the bush,
the
mosses and ferns and the lake edge vegetation.
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Bush and lake edge vegetation
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Mosses and ferns by the track
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You may like to pause for a cup of coffee or tea at Cafe Lake
Matheson.
Peak Viewpoint
If you continue along Cook Flat Road towards Gillespies Beach after
about
another four kilometres you come to a impressive panoramic viewing point
where you can see the Fox Glacier coming down the valley and view the
profile of the mountains which names the major peaks.
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Peak View point and panoramic view
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If you have ample time you could continue to Gillespies Beach to view
the
remains of gold mining in the area - tailings, a rusting dredge and a
miners' cemetery. A coastal walk of about thirty minutes takes you to a
seal colony.
Other worthwhile short walks in the area
Glow Worm Grotto and Minnehaha Walk
A short distance south of the township on the main highway you come to
the
Glow Worm Grotto which you should visit after dark with your torch. The
Minnehaha Walk is a little further on - a loop walk through rainforest
following the Minnehaha Stream and then looping back to the highway.
The
walk takes about 20 minutes. It is not difficult and the track is
suitable
for wheelchairs.
River Walk
Part of the way along Glacier Road you will see the sign for the River
Walk. This half hour walk connects the north and south bank roads and
takes you across a historic 70 metre suspension bridge built in 1929.
From
the bridge you get a good view of the Fox River. The water looks grey
because of the glacial 'flour' - rock sediment ground by the
glacier.
Chalet Lookout Walk
This walk takes one and a quarter hours return and crosses mountain
streams
to a historic lookout point. The moderately steep walk rewards you with
wonderful views of the glacier and the mountains.
If you have time to stay two nights at Fox Glacier you won't leave with
regrets about the activities you have missed.
