What to do on a rainy or nonflying day in Franz Josef?
The Franz Josef Glacier is the main reason a lot of people plan to visit Franz Josef Township and by helicopter is the most popular way to see it but being a very weather dependant activity, this doesn’t always go to plan first time!
With 6m (20ft) of rain a year, Franz Josef township, might be thought to be a drizzly place by visitors which it can be but on an annual basis we get nearly as many sunshine hours as Canterbury. Which is considered one of New Zealand’s driest areas, so you often find when it rains here it pours!
Descending to just 250m (820ft) above sea level, Franz Josef Glacier is one of only three glaciers in the world that descend into a temperate rainforest zone, the others being the neighbouring Fox Glacier and the Perito Merino Glacier in Argentina. Without the rain we wouldn’t have the glaciers or the beautiful rainforest in our backyard!
Helicopter flights can be affected by rain, wind and cloud and our weather can often be quite different in the mountains, township, at the lake or on the coastline! The glacier flights aren’t the only thing to do here so read on for some of the fun things to do in Franz Josef on a nonflying day.
Non-Flying Activities To Do In Franz Josef
Explore On An ATV Quad Bike
Feel the need for speed? Jump on a 2-seater bike or 3-seater 4WD buggy from Across Country Quad Bikes and make your way through the glacier valley and rainforest of Franz Josef on a 2-hour guided tour. All gear is provided along with operating instructions and safety guidance. Ride by yourself or with a buddy and get stuck into river crossings, rain forest and rocky trails. Their slogan is ‘the wetter the better’ so if you’re here on a rainy day don’t miss this!
Visit The West Coast Wildlife Centre
The centre is home to the largest kiwi hatchery and prevention organisation and offers visitors an inside look into the nation’s bird and other native species. Being indoors with no glass between you and the kiwis it is suitable for all wets days. Don’t miss the VIP Guided Backstage Tour where you can get behind the scenes for a more in-depth look – VIP tours are limited to eight people, so be sure to book ahead! Their little café does a great coffee, and they have a large gift shop on site.
Visit The Okarito Lagoon
Often the coastlines weather is much better than the mountains and an easy 20minute drive away is the Okarito Lagoon. It is the largest unmodified coastal wetland in New Zealand and the abundant bird life, sunsets and stars that call it home are incredible. The lagoon has some great short walks and beautiful safe kayaking, you can take a guided tour or hire freedom kayaks to head out on your own from Okarito Kayaks. It is also a locals favourite to have a bonfire on the beach and watch the sunset! The stars and occasionally aurora lights are stunning with the Okarito community aiming to become the first Dark Sky Community.
Swim, Paddleboard, Kayak or Cruise on Lake Mapourika
Lake Mapourika is only 5minutes drive North of Franz Josef but is often still sunny when the mountains are clouded in. In the summer the water temperature can get over 20degrees, so it is beautiful and safe for swimming! The Otto/MacDonalds Campsite is a popular swimming location for locals.
Both kayaks and paddleboards are available to hire from Franz Josef Tours or if you’d like to learn more about the region’s untouched Jurassic rainforest and pristine wilderness book onto one of their guided tours. In the summer they offer a 5pm sunset kayak tour and the evening is often when the cloud around the mountains opens back up for beautiful views of the Southern Alps.
Prefer to travel in comfort with a little less effort? Then check out a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika. These peaceful tours take around 2 hours in a fully cover boat and come complete with a knowledgeable tour guide, a warm cup of tea or coffee and the opportunity to learn about the region’s wildlife and history.
Visit New Zealand’s only White Heron (Kotuku) nesting site
Nesting season is between September and February and tours leave from Whataroa just 20minutes drive from Franz Josef. The White Heron Sanctuary Tours operate in all weather and to visit their only breeding ground is a truly unique experience. Entry into the Nature Reserve is only possible on a guided tour. The tour involves a short walk-through ancient Kahikatea rainforest where the preserved rainforest and its surrounds is also home to a great array of other birdlife. While you are in Whataroa check to see if renowned New Zealand landscapes photographer Petr Hlavacek Gallery is open!
Carve your own pounamu (greenstone) necklace
Te Koha Aotearoa is a family-run workshop where they will guide you through the process of carving a special piece of jewellery from pounamu, much of which has been sourced from local West Coast riverbeds. Pounamu (also known as greenstone or jade) is the name the Māori people call the stone. It was very important to pre-European Māori. It is an extremely hard stone, with the tensile strength of steel. Allow approx. 2 hours for this authentic experience which runs in all weather and is a bargain price at $85 per person! Their studio is located 5minutes drive from Franz Josef and they are happy to pick you up from town if you don’t have a car.
Fish for salmon or brown trout
Lake Mapourika is part of the wild sea-run salmon spawning route from the Tasman Sea in the lake via the Okarito River. Introduced lake salmon are present all year round, however the West Coast salmon fishing season runs from October to March 31st annually. Luckily, we can fish for brown trout all year. The trout fishing with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours can be excellent on wet days and their boat is fully covered for fishing in all-weather condition. If you have a group they can put on a classic kiwi BBQ lunch on board for you and there is plenty to see while cruising on the lake for those who aren’t interested in fishing.
Pamper yourself with a massage or soak in a hot tub
The Amaia Spa located in Te Waonui Forest Retreat has a full range of treatments and spa packages if you feel like a bit of pampering. Or you can book a private wood fired hot tub amongst the rainforest at the Waiho Hot Tubs. Handily located in central Franz Josef, you can book instantly online, and the tubs are drained and refilled with fresh glacial water between each booking. These are fantastic on a rainy day and suitable for all ages, but after 6pm is adults only.
Walk the glacier valley with a guided tour
Walking up the Franz Josef Glacier valley is very limited due to river damage now but there are several other good tracks nearby. Taking a guided tour with Glacier Valley Eco Toursis a great way to get the most out of the valleys beautiful scenery and learn all about how it was formed, the associated Maori legends and a little about the local flora and fauna. Other tour options include half day eco-tours at Franz Josef, Okarito, Fox Glacier & Lake Matheson. Their tours include accommodation pickups, hot drinks, raincoats, and large umbrellas to keep you dry on wet days!
Play a round of frisbee golf
There is a small disc golf course located opposite the town hall and community centre near our Glacier Country Helicopters office. If you don’t have your own frisbee you can hire them from the Glacier Valley Eco Tours desk in The Helicopter Line building.
Watch the Westland Wonderland Movie
Franz Josef Cinema in the Alpine Adventure Centre in the centre of town plays ‘Westland Wonderland’ the 40-minute movie that James Scott and videographer Dean Trolle have combined to create to give you a HELIMAX cinema experience of South Westland. The movie screens hourly from 10AM on demand daily.
Go shopping!
Although Franz Josef is not known for its shop till your drop culture, we do have a three small gift shops, art gallery and the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre. You’ll find a range of gifts, clothing, wet weather gear, home wear and souvenirs at Fern Grove, The Kiwi Centre & The Glacier Shop.
Tui Gallery is located next to Full of Beans Café is a small unique gallery featuring art, craft, jewellery and carving by local artists including Cliff and Tash Goodwin. Here at Glacier Country Helicopters, we are privileged to be one of the only stockists of the master carver Bevan Climo’s pounamu and also have a small range of Stoney Creek clothing.
If you are heading North via Whataroa they have a great little op shop Scraps Of Beauty with local crafts and preserves and the renowned New Zealand landscapes photographer Petr Hlavacek Gallery.
Eat & Drink In Franz Josef
We are lucky to have so many options to eat and drink at in Franz Josef!
Blue Ice Restaurant & Bar
One of our top picks in Franz Josef, the Blue Ice Restaurant provides a modern dining experience complete with bright décor indoors and a great deck with outdoor seating for summer and of course yummy food. They are one of the partners in our Helicopters & Hummers package with their courtesy coach being a town icon and hummer limousine! Open from 4 pm year-round and lunch time in peak season. Friday night is pizza night & we highly recommend the Salmon Pesto Pizza! They have a variety of dishes on their menu from Filipino Beef Cheek Caldereta and duck to the more traditional Kiwi Lamb Shanks. Make sure you leave room for the beautiful desserts too! They are also the only bar in Franz Josef with a takeaway licence if you want something more than the cider, beer & wine available at the local Four Square call in.
The Landing Bar and Restaurant
Perched on the corner of SH6 and Cowan Street you simply can’t miss The Landing. Expect a relaxed dining experience that is open all day with a huge range of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Staff favourites include the Seafood Chowder, Lamb Salad, Johnny Cash Ribs & Roast Pork Belly. Their popular cocktail hour kicks off at 5.30pm daily with 2 for $25 cocktails!
The Monsoon Bar
Part of the popular Rainforest Retreat and has the infamous motto ‘it rains we pour’. In the evening you’ll find a large restaurant with a rustic feel and open fires, a rustic feel with both a casual and more formal seating areas and large gin collection including the West Coast’s own award winning Little Biddy Gin! Staff favourites include the buffalo cauliflower bites and baked camembert.
Snake Bite Brewery
For arguably the best burger in town, Southeast Asian Street food with a kiwi twist and some epic craft beer including Sprig & Fern, head on over to the Snake Bite Brewery on Franz Josef’s Main Road. With much of their food made from scratch, you can expect a fresh, appetising menu with some staff favourites including the Korean Chicken Baguette, KFC Burger, Gua Bao and moreish desserts in the cabinet.
Full Of Beans
Located on the main street this café has great coffee, a full lunch menu and affordable cabinet food. They are also a stockist of the award winning West Coast Pie Co premium wild game pies – well worth splashing out on one! In the afternoons they have an espresso martini 2for1 special.
Alice May
Located on Cron Street of Franz Josef takes you back in time with its interesting history on the story of Alice May Parkinson who became a subject of socialist and feminist campaigners in the early 1900s. Included on their menu are two kiwi favourites of Venison Bangers and Mash and seasonal Whitebait Patties and they have a line of West Coast Monteith’s Brewery drinks on the menu.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre
They have a little café which does a great L’Affare coffee and has a range of simple food if you don’t want a full meal including hot chips, fresh sandwiches, muffins, scones and New Zealand Natural Ice Cream. They also have a large gift shop on site to browse and the only ATM in town if you need to withdraw cash.
King Tiger
This place has extensive Chinese, Thai and Indian menus with a décor to match its South & East Asia theme. They have a great cocktail menu and some of our staff favourites include Kadahi Chicken Curry, KFC (King Tiger Fried Chicken), Pork Fried Dumplings and Tom Yum Soup. King Tiger is hidden on the back street in the “new area of town” opposite the Department of Conversation.
Four Square
Our local supermarket which has a good range of products including lotto and flowers. They also have cabinet food for a quick lunch on the run and their hot roast lamb sandwiches on Fridays are very popular! Franz Josef Four Square is in the centre of the town and open seven days.
Fox Glacier
Home to the famous Lake Mathewson Walk with its reflections of Mount Cook, but also the popular Lake Mathewson Café and Betsey Jane Restaurant. Even on a gloomy day often the clouds will part at dawn or dusk to get that post code photo at the lake which times well with brunch or dinner at these two team favourites!
Favourite Walks near Franz Josef
We are spoilt for choice with so many great walks in the region! Here are some of our favourites that may be a good option for you on a no-fly day.
Glowworms
If you head out after dusk you’ll find the Terrace Walk next to the church just past the Glacier Country Helicopters office. This forest walk is only a few minutes long and is an easy option to see glow worms in the dark and suitable for all ages!
Peters Pool
Located at the Glacier Valley carpark this is an easy, short flat walk to a reflective pool (if the weather allows) suitable for everyone only being 1km. You can then continue along the track to the Douglas Swing bridge which does involve going up and down a hill and takes approx. 1 hour.
Callery Gorge
This walk comes off the street behind the Alice May Restaurant and part one up the track you split off to the right and head up to a swing bridge and the gorge which is a gorgeous blue colour unless there’s been a lot of rain recently! Approx 1.20hours return with a bit of uphill walking.
Tartare Tunnels
If you don’t take the right-hand track to the Callery Gorge and continue straight you’ll find yourself at these historic tunnels. Take a torch and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet to explore inside. A bit of uphill walking involved and 1.2hours return.
Okarito
Often has better weather than the mountains since its on the coastline. The lagoon and beach have lots of bird life and there are a couple of good walks including the Trig Walk which on a clear day has great views over the lagoon, coastline and of Mount Cook. A bit of an uphill climb at times but
Lake Matheson
Famous for its reflection of Mount Cook which isn’t always visible on a cloudy or damp day, but it’s still a great walk even without the reflections. The loop is approx. 1.5hour with the lovely Lake Matheson Café located at the start / finish. Even on a gloomy day the clouds often part at dusk so it can be worth heading out to try get that postcode photo at the end of the day. Also a great excuse for dinner at Betsey Jane in Fox Glacier which is one of our teams all time favourite places to eat locally!
Looking for scenic flights and glacier landings in Franz Josef or need more information? The team at Glacier Country Helicopters is happy to help! Book online or check out our FAQ page to help plan your Franz Josef adventure.