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| West Coast, South Island, New Zealand |
Fox Glacier Village, or Weheka, is located at the foot of the Fox Glacier on the west coast of the South Island in the Westland National Park approximately 220 kilometres south Greymouth. It is a small village established by gold prospectors and pioneering families in the late 1860’s and is today a community of approximately 400 residents who reflect the character of these early individuals. Set amongst the rainforest clad foothills of the Southern Alps and the South West New Zealand U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Area, Weheka forms part of the worlds’ most beautiful wilderness scenery and is a charming small village which retains a peaceful country feel.
The village is an important hub for tourists to the area and offers many services from a variety of accommodation, cafes, restaurants, a general store, service station and retail outlets, to helicopter rides and guided tours of Fox Glacier which lies 6 kilometres to the west of the village. The Department of Conservation maintains several hiking trails around the village from which stunning views can be enjoyed of the mountains and surrounding area. Weheka is a good base from which to explore the local area which includes Lake Matheson which is renowned for its’ near perfect water reflections of Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, and Gillespies Beach. The lake was formed about 14,000 years ago by the retreating glacier and is traditionally a Maori food gathering area. Today an easy, well marked track encircles the lake and provides ideal vantage points, decks and seating from which to enjoy the mountain reflections and a great opportunity to delight in the antics of the local birdlife.
Gillespies Beach was settled as a small gold mining community after gold was discovered in the sands of the beach. The settlement peaked in the late 1860’s and today this tranquil seaside village is all that remains of the busy little centre. It is however known for its easy walking tracks which offer fantastic un-interrupted views of the mountains, gold mining relics, the local New Zealand Fur Seal colony and the wild beauty of this windblown-sandy coastline with its tortured driftwood that is constantly washed up by the pounding Tasman Sea. The seal colony, which is formed of approximately 1,500 seals, can be found below Waikowhai Bluff which is accessed via the Galway Beach track.
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| Accommodation | Activities | Tours |  |
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Westhaven Motel
Fox Glacier Village
 |  The Westhaven is a new and modern property that is centrally located in the Fox Glacier township. It offers 23 spacious queen, king and deluxe king units. All the rooms have been fitted out to a very high standard and are ideal for the discerning traveller, flowing with touches that will both deli... |
Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier Village
 |  This historic hotel was originally opened in 1928 and has provided a comfortable bed for the night for more than its fair share of climbers and adventurers from all corners of the world. Restored in 2007, the hotel proudly continues its tradition, with modern comforts. |
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Fox It Up: Heli-Ice Climbing Adventure
Ice Climbing
Fox Glacier Village |  On this trip you will enjoy a small guide to customer ratio (max 1:4) and ice-climbing instruction in a remote and spectacular area of the glacier. This trip is an extension of the standard ice climbing day as it offers the added thrill of two helicopter flights as well as the opportunity to climb a... |
Fox Trail: Terminal Face Walk
Walking
Fox Glacier Village | This is an informative and leisurely trip to the dynamic face of the glacier. It is here that the Fox River emerges from the ice and where ice collapses are often heard and seen. This trip is for people with limited time or for those who would find the walks onto the glacier too strenuous.
Althoug... |
Grand Helicopter Tour
Helicopter
Fox Glacier Village |  This is the 'grand-daddy' of all flights and highly recommended! Explore both glaciers as well as taking in Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. A landing on the snow for some magnificent photo opportunities tops off the flight. As a bonus, weather permitting, they cross the main divide for you to view t... |
Twin Glacier Helicopter ride
Helicopter
Fox Glacier Village | Discover the scenic wonders of both the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers with this scenic flight. Take advantage of the terrific photo oppotunities of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman while landed on the snow. Allow 30 minutes approximately for this flight. |
Flying Fox: Helihike
Helicopter
Fox Glacier Village | The fly-in, fly-out helihike combines the excitement of walking on the Fox Glacier with the thrill of helicopter flights. By flying in you are able to access and explore a part of the glacier where its forces work hardest and often create spectacular ice caves and arches.
Equipped with sturdy leat... |
Fox Trot: Half Day Walk
Trekking
Fox Glacier Village | For those with a half-day available this popular trip is a great eco-adventure and full of variety and interest. Walkers are kitted out with sturdy leather boots and other equipment, before boarding one of their historic buses for the short drive through the rainforest and into the glacial valley. T... |
The Nimble Fox: All Day Walk
Trekking
Fox Glacier Village | Spend a day exploring the fascinating ice features and majestic pinnacles of the longest West Coast glacier.
Approach the glacier through a rainforest which offers breathtaking glacier views and fantastic photo opportunities overlooking the undulating iceflow where you will soon be venturing.
Ou... |
Fox Glacier - Mt Cook
Helicopter
Fox Glacier Village | Only available from the Fox Glacier flight centre, explore the majestic Fox Glacier before flying by the sheer west faces of Mount cook and Mount Tasman. A snow landing provides opportunities to photograph the magnificent scenery. Allow approximately 30 minutes |
Lake Matheson Walk
Walking
Fox Glacier Village |  Lake Matheson walk takes about one and half hours if you want to go all the way and it is well worth the trip. It is an easy walk and provides unsurpassed reflective views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and the forested lakeshore. On a good day you can get some excellent photo opportunities. The re... |
Fox or Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Ride
Helicopter
Fox Glacier Village | Sweep above Westland National Park as you explore the Fox or Franz Josef Glacier to 6000' before landing in the snow to enjoy exceptional views of the majestic southern Alps. Flight approximately 20 minutes. |
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Southern Panorama
9 days |  This tour is a great way to see the South Island of New Zealand and all that it has to offer. Being a low cost tour means more affordable hotels however there is no compromise of experience. From the minute you arrive in Christchurch to the moment you leave New Zealand you will be stunned by the b... |
Southern Sensation
9 days |  This tour is perfect for those who want to see the major attractions of the South Island in the comfort of a luxury coach, with a small group of like-minded travellers. Some of the accommodation is more exclusive and you will feel special on this trip. After arriving in Christchurch there is time ... |
New Zealand Splendour
14 days |  After arriving and spending your first night in Auckland, you travel to Rotorua for two nights. Here you will experience this amazing geothermal region and also enjoy some Maori culture with a Hangi feast and concert. You will drive past Lake Taupo and Huka Falls on the way to Wellington, where yo... |
New Zealand Experience
14 days |  This fourteen day tour of New Zealand will introduce you to some of the best sights and attractions here. After arriving and spending your first night in Christchurch you travel across the Southern Alps to the West Coast and visit the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki before heading to Fox G... |
Best of New Zealand
17 days |  On arrival in Auckland you will meet your Tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink. From there you will travel to the beautiful Bay of Islands for two nights. Take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and weather permitting, through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’... |
Southern Spectacular
9 days |  This tour is a great way to see the South Island of New Zealand and all that it has to offer. Being a low cost tour means more affordable hotels however there is no compromise of experience. From the minute you arrive in Christchurch to the moment you leave New Zealand you will be stunned by the b... |
Wonders of New Zealand
17 days | From the moment you arrive in Christchurch to your departure from Auckland this tour is sure to impress. This tour certainly introduces you to some of the best attractions and sights that New Zealand has to offer. After arriving in Christchurch you travel across the Southern Alps to Punakaiki to s... |
New Zealand Highlighter
14 days |  Beginning in the North Island, this tour winds its way south, taking in New Zealand's premier attractions along the way. After arriving in Auckland and meeting fellow travellers and your Tour Director, you travel to Rotorua to see the amazing geothermal reserves and also take in some Maori culture ... |
Royal Tourer
18 days | This tour certainly does tick all the boxes for seeing the most well-known attractions in New Zealand and with five two night stays it is more relaxed than other tours. From Auckland to the Bay of Islands, Rotorua to Wellington taking in the geothermal area, the Waitomo Glow-worm caves and the Wait... |
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