The Franz Josef Glacier is located in Westland National Park, and is seven miles in length. The glacier was named in 1865 by German explorer Julius von Haast - who also named the nearby Haast River. He named the glacier after Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. Glaciers have phases of advancing, followed by phases of retreating. The Franz Josef is currently in the advancing phase, and has on occasion been known to advance up to 2' 3'' (70cm) per day. That is a tremendous rate for a glacier - about ten times their normal speed.
There are other fascinating anomalies regarding the glacier. It is less than 984 feet (300 metres) above sea level, which is much lower than glaciers are normally found. The Franz Josef is also amongst greenery, and in a much warmer climate than almost all of the others. These facts, combined with its breathtaking beauty, have ensured that the Franz Josef Glacier remains one of New Zealand's most popular attractions.
(23 reviews)
Discover New Zealand's dynamic cities, extraordinary national parks, spectacular alpine mountains, glacial lakes and breathtaking Fiordland on this extensive tour of the North and South Islands. This epic adventure combines the greatest and most famous features of New Zealand's North and South Islands in one vacation: a combination of superb...
Oct 27, 2025 · By Vacations By Rail
Delve into the breathtaking landscapes and cultural cities of Australasia, discovering New Zealand and Australia on brand-new itineraries departing in 2027.
Read more
Aug 01, 2025 · By Vacations By Rail
Discover countries filled with culture, cuisine and remarkable scenery in the top-trending vacation destinations for 2026, from Europe to Asia and Australasia.
Read more
Jul 10, 2024 · By Vacations By Rail
From Europe's shores to the far reaches of Scandinavia, Japan, New Zealand, and beyond, the best places to visit in 2025 set the tone for incredible adventures.
Read more
Sep 20, 2022 · By Vacations By Rail
Queen Elizabeth II was the most well-traveled British monarch in history, cultivate some vacation inspiration from some of these notable trips.
Read more