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Best Things to Do
Top 3 Best Things to Do in Fox Glacier [2025]
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Lake Matheson
4.6
/5
58 reviews
6.1
Based on 991 reviews
5.1 km from downtown
Address: West Coast Region 7886, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
A must-visit for photographers
Mirror-like reflection & nearby glacier
29% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Is there any other form of beauty? Lake Matheson: The mirror-like pearl of New Zealand's South Island
On the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, only 6 kilometers away from the Fox Glacier, there is a dreamlike body of water - Lake Matheson. As one of New Zealand's most representative natural landscapes, it is famous for its beautiful mirror reflections. It also carries New Zealand's unique cultural imprint and is a must-see destination for travelers.
When the mist dissipates in the early morning, Lake Matheson removes its hazy veil and reveals its stunning face. When there is no wind, the lake is like a silver mirror, reflecting the towering snow-capped peaks of New Zealand's highest peaks, Aoraki (Mount Cook) and Mount Tasman. The blue sky, white clouds, mountains and clear lake water merge into one, forming a magnificent picture that is difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. If it happens to be sunrise or sunset, the golden glow will cover the snow-capped peaks with neon, and the lake surface will be covered with warm orange ripples, which will shock you with a beautiful view that will be unforgettable for a lifetime. Because of this purity and magnificence, the scenery of Lake Matheson is engraved on the back of the New Zealand 50-dollar bill, becoming a symbol of the country's image.
The lakeside trail is about 5.5 kilometers long. You can enjoy the lake and mountains from different angles along the wooden plank road and forest trails. The "blue mushroom" - the iconic blue-green milk mushroom on the New Zealand dollar is hidden in a secret place on the trail. Hikers can slow down their pace, shuttle through the primeval forest, and look for its traces among the moss-covered dead trees and ferns. When you find that unique blue, it's like completing a dialogue across time and space with the cultural symbols of New Zealand.
The best season to visit Lake Matheson is from November to April of the following year, when the weather is clear and the reflection is clear. It is recommended to pay attention to the weather forecast in advance and choose to go in the morning or evening when there is no wind to enjoy the most perfect mirror wonder. The trail is moderately difficult and suitable for the whole family to walk, but you need to prepare waterproof hiking shoes, as some sections of the trail are wet and muddy. In addition, the lakeside cafe also provides a viewing and resting place. After the hike, you may want to sit here for a while, enjoy coffee and dessert, and reminisce the stunning scenery along the way.
nice easy walk. 1.5hr loop around the lake. slightly wet walk.
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Fox Glacier Guiding
5.0
/5
15 reviews
5.2
From £74.13
87m from downtown
Phone +64 3 751 0825
Address: 44 Main Road, State Highway 6, Fox Glacier 7859, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Helicopter glacier adventure
Helicopter glacier & icefall tour
Verified User Reviews
If you don't mind the price, taking a helicopter to overlook the glacier is an ideal choice. A plane can seat 6 people, and it reflects the generosity of nature and the gift of God. The scenery is really unimaginable. Although it is very cold, it is worth it! You must go early. I heard that the glacier may no longer exist in a few years!
Fox Glacier helicopter tour is a highlight of New Zealand tour, you must go. Looking down at the glaciers, ice fields, glaciers, and hiking on the snowy ice is an unforgettable experience.
West Coast Glacier
4.0
/5
15 reviews
4.8
9.3 km from downtown
Address: West Coast, South Island
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Close-up view of glacier changes
Explore Franz Josef Glacier
Verified User Reviews
Two of the three major glaciers in New Zealand's South Island are located on the west coast, namely Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. It is not easy to come here by land. Crossing mountains and ridges, it seems to have entered the primitive era along the way. It also proves from another perspective that this place is not much affected by humans and is primitive enough. Usually, there are several ways to visit glaciers, including helicopter sightseeing, canyon hiking, and ice climbing. I participated in the first two of Fox Glacier. Due to the influence of global warming, the lower edge of the glacier has been retreating towards the mountain, and only a large amount of rubble cut by the glacier remains in the canyon, which is frightening. However, it is still very beautiful to look down from a helicopter and land on the glacier. I hope that humans can implement emission reduction as soon as possible and protect our shared nature.
The West Coast Glacier area is a famous tourist area on the South Island of New Zealand. However, due to the unique geographical location of the West Coast, the warm and humid air currents from the sea are blocked by the Central Mountain Range when they come ashore, and the weather is changeable, so roads here are often closed!
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