10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© Julian Apse - Tourism New Zealand
10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids 👪 [2024]

© Julian Apse – Tourism New Zealand

Amazing Family Activities in Franz Josef

The allure of the West Coast glaciers captures many when planning a trip around the South Island but with a focus on adventure activities, is it feasible to do with kids? Absolutely! From family-friendly helicopter flights with landings on the snowfields of the glacier to relaxing cruises on lakes formed by the glacier, there are many ways to get that must-do glacier experience with children in tow. A wildlife centre with kiwi birds, kayaking tours, short walks and more family activities are on the cards, so pick the right tours for your family with this list of the best things to do in Franz Josef with kids!

For more family activities in Franz Josef, as well as general travel advice, take a look at The Guide to Franz Josef for Families and the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Franz Josef.

1. Enjoy a Scenic Cruise on Lake Mapourika

The Franz Josef experience is as much as it is about the glacier as it is about the formations left in its wake. A family-friendly option to explore the latter is a scenic cruise on the glacier-carved Lake Mapourika. With Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, spend two hours cruising the vividly reflective waters of the lake with sweeping panoramic views of the Southern Alps. The small-group boat tour makes for a relaxing way to explore the lake for all ages and includes hot beverages onboard. There’s also the option to upgrade to do a guided bushwalk through some of the area’s last remaining kahikatea rainforest where New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the rowi, lives.

Location: Tours depart either from Franz Josef Wilderness Tours’ office on 30 Main Road, Franz Josef Glacier, or Lake Mapourika Recreational Area, approximately 9 km (6 mi) from Franz Josef town centre.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids 👪 [2023]© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Explore and Learn About the Franz Josef Glacier with Glacier Valley Eco Tours

We know that getting onto a guided heli-hiking glacier tour with little ones is less than ideal, but if you want a more family-friendly option while still getting to learn all about the magnificent landscape of the Franz Josef Glacier, join Glacier Valley Eco Tours. Walk in the valley of the Franz Josef Glacier and learn all about how the valley was formed, about the local flora and fauna, as well as Maori legends and history of the area on a two-hour walking tour. The walk is ideal for all ages and the team will even provide a baby backpack carrier if needed.

Location: 29 The Strand, Okarito, approximately 27 km (17 mi) from Franz Josef township (pick-ups are available).

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© Glacier Valley Eco Tours

3. Take a Helicopter Flight with a Snow Landing on the Franz Josef Glacier

The next best way to experience the glaciers with kids is from above with a helicopter landing on the snowfields. What’s more, tours like the Neve Discoverer helicopter flights with The Helicopter Line are ideal for short attention spans by being just 20 minutes of hovering over crevasses and towering ice formations before landing at the top of the glacier. Learn more about the tour on Viator or KKday. Alternatively, fly to both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier with HeliServices.NZ, which also includes a snow landing, as featured on Viator and Klook.

Location: The Helicopter Line – 20 Main Road. Heliservices.NZ – 29 Main Road.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© HeliServices.NZ

4. Paddle on Lake Mapourika on a Kayaking Tour

For families who are a little bit more active, how about gliding across Lake Mapourika on a kayaking tour? Join Franz Josef Wilderness Tours for a guided paddle across the tranquil lake with striking reflections of the surrounding rainforest and distant mountains. With double kayaks used in the tour, this means you can team up with the kids to paddle together or for them to let mum or dad do all the work. Quad bike/buggy tours, bike hire and fishing are also available, so head to franzjoseftours.co.nz to start planning the perfect family experience.

Location: Tours depart either from Franz Josef Wilderness Tours’ office on 30 Main Road, Franz Josef Glacier, or Lake Mapourika Recreational Area, approximately 9 km (6 mi) from Franz Josef town centre.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids 👪 [2023]© NZPocketGuide.com

5. See Kiwi Birds at the West Coast Wildlife Centre

Now is your chance to see a real kiwi bird in New Zealand! Whatever the weather, make sure you leave some time in your family itinerary for the West Coast Wildlife Centre. This indoor attraction is the largest kiwi hatchery facility in the South Island, where kiwi chicks are hatched and nurtured until they’re fit and strong enough to be released in the wild. See kiwi in special nocturnal houses, learn about the local glacier in interactive displays and even purchase a Backstage Pass to see kiwi chicks. Find more rainy day backups in the 10 Things to Do in Franz Josef on a Rainy Day.

Location: Corner of Cowan and Cron Streets, Franz Josef town.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© westcoast.co.nz

6. See Amazing Rainforest and a Glacier-Formed Lake on the Peters Pool Walk

Stick to your travel budget by filling up some of your itinerary with the free things to do in Franz Josef. A good place to start is the Peters Pool Walk, a 25-minute loop walk that’s flat and stroller-friendly. Wind through the rainforest to a small kettle lake that was formed by melting ice in a glacial moraine some 200 years ago.

Location: Glacier Access Road, approximately 4 km (2 mi) from Franz Josef town centre.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

7. Explore the Mining Tunnels on the Tatare Tunnels Walk

Another fantastic walk in Franz Josef for families, this one with fully-mobile kids, the Tatare Tunnels Walk is quite the adventure! Take a torch and a rain jacket because this 1 hr 20 mins return walk takes you to water tunnels that were carved by miners in the early 20th Century. You might get wet feet if you choose to explore them but that’s all part of the fun! Learn more about Franz Josef’s walks in the 10 Best Walks in Franz Josef.

Location: End of Cowan Street, Franz Josef town.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

8. Check Out the Glowworms at Night on the Terrace Walk

A walk with a difference in Franz Josef, head to the Terrace Walk at the southern end of Franz Josef township after dark to see glowworms! Look around and under the fallen trees alongside the track for a chance to see the blue lights of the glowworms shimmering. Even during the day, this walk is a beautiful example of the West Coast’s lush rainforest. Allow 30 minutes to walk the trail and return the same way. Check out more places around the country to see glowworms in the 10 Free Glowworm Caves in New Zealand.

Location: Southern end of Franz Josef town, State Highway 6 after Our Lady of the Alps Church.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Wait Out a Rainy Day at the Waiho Hot Tubs

Another great option if you find yourself in Franz Josef on a rainy day, the Waiho Hot Tubs is a relaxing family-friendly attraction. Unwind in one of the large cedar hot tubs, large enough to comfortably fit a family of four. While there aren’t any “kiddies pools” or play areas, children still love exploring the facility nestled in the rainforest. What’s more, these freshwater hot tubs are completely private and you can bring your own refreshments!

Location: 64B Cron Street, Franz Josef town.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids 👪 [2023]© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Look Out for the Rare White Heron with Okarito Boat Eco Tours

A relatively unknown natural attraction in the Franz Josef area, the Okarito Lagoon is a special environment and the only place in New Zealand where white herons (kotuku) nest. There are two tours a day with Okarito Boat Eco Tours, both in the morning, where you’ll cruise across New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland and see breathtaking sea-to-mountains landscapes. There’s a variety of gorgeous birds to see from the quirky royal spoonbills to the majestic white herons. Tours last approximately two hours and include a hot drink and snacks.

Location: 31 Wharf Street, Okarito, approximately 27 km (17 mi) from Franz Josef town.

10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids© westcoast.co.nz

More Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids

That’s it for our list of the best things to do in Franz Josef with kids. For more Franz Josef activities that don’t fall under the “family” category but are still just as amazing, check out the following guides:

Finally, discover even more family trip tips in The Travel Guide to New Zealand for Families. Plus, plan the rest of your South Island trip using the South Island Family Itinerary: Two Weeks or South Island Family Itinerary: One Week.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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