Things to Do in Franz Josef

•  Franz Josef Glacier
  Austrian explorer Julius Haast first explored this mighty river of moving ice in 1865. The glacier has advanced more than 1.7km since 1985, moving forward at roughly 70cm a day. Visitors can walk onto the glacier if they are accompanied by a guide. Operators include Franz Josef Glacier Guides and the Guiding Company.
• Walks
  Franz Josef is an excellent base for walks along the Waiho River valley and in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Walks around the glacier area include Douglas Walk (1hr), which takes in a small 'kettle' lake, Roberts Point (3.5hrs), which overlooks the terminal face of the glacier, the Terrace Track (1hr), which has fine views over the Waiho River, and Canavan's Knob (40 minutes return). The visitor centre has a brochure detailing walks.
• Scenic Flights
  There are superb aerial views available through several operators - try The Helicopter Line.
• Lake Mapourika
  To the north, Lake Mapourika has boating facilities and some pleasant picnic spots. It is a glacier formation from the last ice age. The water is black in colour and provides superb reflections.
• Okarito & Okatiro Lagoon
  Located on the coast, this wild isolated region offers some beautiful walks, and is famous for its lagoon and birdlife. The Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland. The tidal flats here are the feeding ground for native white heron (kotuku), as well as many other bird species. Okarito Nature Tours conduct excursions to the river delta to see the birds.