Every year more than 250 thousand tourists visit the Franz Josef Glacier. What makes it so famous and what interesting things can be seen in this place? Franz Josef Glacier is located in the territory of the Westland National Park, which belongs to the Te-Wahipunamu region. By the way, this area is sacred to the local population – Maori. In addition, it is a UNESCO heritage site.
Franz Josef Glacier is the “fastest” glacier in the world. In a day the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 meters per hour. Thanks to the melt water there is the Taiho River and several lakes. Numerous waterfalls descend from the mountains surrounding the peculiar canyon.
There is a very beautiful and sad legend connected with the Franz Josef Glacier. The girl Hinehukatere loved mountains more than anything else in the world. One day she decided to show the local beauty to her young man – the boy Tawa. Alas, the young men were caught in a landslide, and Tawa could not escape. Hinehukatere cried so hard that her tears gave rise to a glacier. So it’s no coincidence that the landmark is called “Hinehukatare’s Tears” in the Māori language. The length of Franz Josef Glacier is 12 kilometers. You can go horseback riding around it.
The first mention of Franz Josef Glacier dates back to 1859. It was then that it was seen by people sailing nearby on the ship “Marie-Louise”. Six years later, German explorer Julius von Haast gave it a name in honor of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph.
Interestingly, it is the world’s “fastest” glacier. In a day the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 meters in an hour. Thanks to the melt water there is the Taiho River and several lakes. Numerous waterfalls descend from the mountains surrounding the peculiar canyon. The Franz Josef Glacier descends from the Southern Alps and passes through the temperate wet New Zealand forest.
Not far from this attraction is the small town of Franz Joseph. This peculiar tourist center has cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels and even a helipad. Why do you think it’s here? Simple. From here tourists climb the main field of Franz Josef glacier by helicopters. Local companies offer a variety of options to see the glacier: there are small walking tours, and there are complex multi-day hikes. In any case, you will need comfortable sports clothes, mountain boots, spiked “cats” and ice axes.
There are more than 60 glaciers in Westland National Park. But the most famous of them are Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. You can make such a journey on your own or with an experienced guide. By the way, tourists can also make an excursion through the grottos and tunnels of the glacier. Keep in mind that very close directly to the glacier can not be approached. The fact is that at any moment a rockfall can begin here, or suddenly fly huge blocks of ice.
Franz Josef Glacier can be visited at any time of the year.
