How do I visit to New Zealand glaciers?
  • September 13th 2024
  • Travel tips
  • Travomint

How do I visit New Zealand glaciers?

New Zealand contains approximately 2900 glaciers over 1 hectare in size, and if you are planning to visit any of the following, you can further proceed. You can see the glaciers in New Zealand in several ways. Amongst the respective modes, you can choose any of the following ways to visit the glaciers and feel the breeze. To grab the information about the following modes, focus on the information mentioned below and get further updated.

Fly through Helicopter: You can visit the glacier by flying in the helicopter, as this is the easiest and quickest way to head to your chosen glacier in New Zealand. Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier can be visited by helicopter. There, you can land safely and enjoy the view, which is a total treat to the eyes. Some short trips include a short flight and a guided hike on the glacier.

Visit on Foot: If you want an adventurous experience, you can hike on a glacier. You can visit Franz Josef Glacier or the Rob Roy Glacier for hiking. Hence, for hiking, you can choose to visit the Rob Roby Glacier as it is the most miniature hanging glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park. There are 10 km of the return track to the viewing point.

Travel by train: You can also travel to the glacier by train. To do so, you can proceed with the transalpine train through the Southern Alps and Greymouth, the gateways to glacial regions. You can choose to travel to the glacier by train as this is also the best way to travel and will be an unremarkable experience.

Scenic flight: Proceed with another mode where you can take a scenic flight over a glacier. The flights that can head there are as follows: the Tasman Glacier. A 40-minute helicopter tour from the Aoraki Mount Cook travels. There, you can explore the entire length of the glacier and have a remarkable experience.

Is it safe to visit a glacier?

Glaciers can be pretty dangerous as you can never trust nature and can never predict it. You can not go easy; you need to prepare your mind and be strong. Hence, if you keep safety in mind while visiting the glacier, you can have the most beautiful and unforgettable experience of your life. The most important part of being safe on the glacier is never walking alone and not hiking in the dark, as it can get more dangerous. Therefore, if you keep all the safety points in your head, visiting the glacier can be safe, and all you need is to be attentive to be safe.

What is the most accessible glacier in New Zealand?

The most accessible glaciers in New Zealand are the Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier. Reaching them is not complicated; you can visit them by train, helicopter, or foot. Hence, both are located on the west coast of the South Island. The glacier has a suitable temperature climate, and the sea level is nearby. Some scenarios make the respective glaciers the most accessible in the world. Hence, there are some ways you can experience walking on the glaciers.

  • Walking tracks where you can walk through the glacier terminus for a close-up view and get the best treat for your eyes.
  • Bush hiking, where you can hike through the bush to reach the viewpoint.
  • Guided tours: Head to the glacier face for a guided tour that includes all the equipment.
  • Take a TranzApline train to Greymouth then you can rent a car or arrange the local transport to the glacier. 

Can you walk on glaciers in New Zealand?

Yes, you can walk on the glaciers in New Zealand, but you need to ensure that you never walk alone, as there is a high chance of getting slipped on the ice and further sliding into the open crevasse. There are several glaciers on which you can walk. Hence, glacier hiking has become a tourist attraction in some countries, but it requires special knowledge, as you can not usually visit. You need to have the basic details about how to walk on the glacier, as it is unsafe to be there.