Entry to Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the public Fox Glacier tracks is completely free, with trails open at all hours unless blocked by storms or rockfall. You only pay for commercial activities, like the NZ$795 guided heli-hikes that actually land you on the ice.
The public walking tracks and viewpoints in the Fox Glacier valley remain open 24 hours a day. Access depends entirely on the weather, since heavy rain, flooding, or rockfalls can close roads and trails without warning. Check the daily access update online before driving in.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 24 hours | Public tracks open continuously; Franz Josef visitor centre open 08:30–17:00. |
| Saturday–Sunday | 24 hours | Public tracks open continuously; visitor centre open 08:30–17:00 but closed for a lunch break. |
Public trails stay open on all national holidays. The Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre closes completely on Christmas Day (25 December). On all other public holidays, the visitor centre shuts its doors for a midday lunch break.
Entry to Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the public walking tracks is free. You only pay for commercial activities like guided walks and flights. A standard heli-hike onto the ice costs NZ$795, while scenic flights circling the glacier without landing start around NZ$350.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| National Park & Public Tracks | Free | Includes South Side Walkway and Lake Matheson Walk |
| Flying Fox Heli Hike (Adult) | NZ$795 | Valid to 30 September 2026 |
| Flying Fox Heli Hike (Child, 9–16) | NZ$795 | Must be accompanied by an adult |
| Flying Fox Heli Hike (Family) | NZ$2,860 | Covers 2 adults and 2 children |
| Scenic Helicopter Flight (No Landing) | NZ$350–450 | Aerial views of the 13 km glacier length |
Access to the national park and all public glacier viewpoints is always free, with no permits or passes required for independent walkers.
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View All ToursDecember to March brings the most reliable weather for helicopter flights. It is also the busiest time. About 1,000 people arrive daily during this peak summer window, crowding the valley tracks. To keep the settled conditions but drop the numbers, wait for autumn between March and May.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn to early morning (06:00–09:00) | Low | Photographers head straight to Lake Matheson for still water and clear mountain reflections before the wind picks up. |
| Mid-morning (09:00–12:00) | High | The first heli-hikes depart at 8:50am, and the 6.4 km South Side Walkway begins filling with day-trippers. |
| Afternoon (12:00–16:00) | High | Midday winds usually ruin the lake reflections, making this the time to book the 11:50am guided ice flights. |
| Late afternoon to dusk (16:00–19:00) | Low | Drive 9 km out to the Peak Viewpoint to watch the sunset hit the upper snowfield. |
Set aside a half-day to walk the main trails around Fox Glacier. Your total time depends on whether you stick to the free public viewpoints or book a guided tour. Hiking the South Side Walkway and the Lake Matheson loop takes about three and a half hours combined, while a guided heli-hike onto the ice requires four hours door-to-door.
Schedule heli-hikes or scenic flights for your first full day in Fox Glacier. Alpine weather frequently forces operators to reschedule trips, especially during the wet spring months of September to November. A spare day improves your odds.
The valley tracks often close with little warning due to rockfall or flooding. Always check the daily access update on Glaciercountry.co.nz before heading out. Glacial rivers surge fast.
Visit the lake at dawn or dusk on a calm day for the mirror reflection of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Midday winds usually ruffle the dark water and ruin the effect. Pack strong insect repellent, as the sandflies are notoriously fierce.
Temperatures on the ice fluctuate between 0°C and 25°C in a single day. You'll need layered, waterproof clothing. Heli-hike operators provide the mandatory leather boots and crampons, but they advise against wearing jeans.
Fill your fuel tank in Fox Glacier or Franz Josef before continuing your drive. You won't find petrol stations on the 171-kilometer stretch north to Hokitika, and local hours are limited. Cell coverage is also spotty, so tell someone your plans.
Walking the public tracks and entering Westland Tai Poutini National Park costs nothing. You only pay for commercial activities like scenic flights or guided tours. Fox Glacier Guiding charges NZ$795 per adult for a heli-hike onto the ice.
No. A major storm washed out the old access track, so the free South Side Walkway now ends at a viewpoint hundreds of metres from the terminal face. The only way to actually touch the ice is by booking a guided heli-hike.
Fox Glacier Guiding charges NZ$795 per adult and NZ$795 per child for their Flying Fox Heli Hike. Families with two adults and two children can book a package for NZ$2,860. These rates are locked in until 30 September 2026.
The public glacier valley tracks and viewpoints remain open at all times. But access can close with little warning due to rockfall, flooding, or heavy rain. Check the daily update on Glaciercountry.co.nz before driving to the car park.
Walking the 6.4-kilometre South Side Walkway to the main viewpoint takes about two hours return. Adding the nearby Lake Matheson loop stretches the trip to a full half-day. If you book a heli-hike, expect a four-hour round trip with up to three hours spent on the ice.
December through March offers the mildest weather and the highest chance of your helicopter flying. Spring brings the heaviest rain to the West Coast, which frequently cancels flights and closes tracks. Book your trip for your first morning in town to leave room for weather delays.
You need a specific permit from the Department of Conservation to fly a drone anywhere in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. A strict ban applies across all Fox Glacier tracks. Flying without permission can cost you up to $5,000 in fines and the confiscation of your equipment.
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