franz josef glacier

Glacial Blue Waters

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Glaciers are not only stunning in and of themselves, but also offer an additional feature to the surrounding landscapes: glacial water. Due to the sediments contained in it, glacial rivers and gorges are of a unique turquoise colour. There are plenty of opportunities to see such places in the South Island of New Zealand, and especially on the West Coast. Today, I share some of my favourite images from Callery Gorge Walk and Hokitika Gorge, two truly stunning locations near the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

A Tale of Two Glaciers

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The reason my travels through the West Coast are some of my favourite memories of New Zealand are views such as these. Within a short helicopter flight, we saw two glaciers (Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier), rivers, waterfalls, and had a clear view of the ocean! This flight included a short landing atop Franz Josef Glacier, where we could walk on the fresh soft snow. What a stunning little corner of the world that is.

Franz Josef Surroundings

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The region surrounding Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand is not to be missed. On a rare clear day, the scenery is truly astounding. Today’s blog post highlights only a couple of locations in the area: Peter’s Pool and Lake Mapourika. Stay tuned for more features of this amazing corner of the world in the coming weeks!

West Coast Waterfalls

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The West Coast of New Zealand is brimming with beautifully wild landscapes. Among them are dozens of incredible waterfalls nestled in among vibrant forests. Here are just three of my favourites - Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and Coal Creek Falls.

Sunrise at a Marine Reserve

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The Tauparikākā Marine Reserve lies in the West Coast of New Zealand, on the way between the cities of Wanaka and Queenstown and the Franz and Fox glaciers. Although I had been planning to visit for some time, I must admit this spot completely surpassed my expectations. In only a few short walks, it guides you through a stunning beach, a gloomy swamp, and surprising views over the wetlands. It’s almost like someone decided to take a selection of New Zealand’s stunning scenery and collapsed it into a single location. Well worth a visit!