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![10 Things to Do in Franz Josef on a Rainy Day ☂️ [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTU5NTozNjg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTIwMCA4MDAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMjAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjgwMCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "10 Things to Do in Franz Josef on a Rainy Day ☂️ [2023]")
All-Weather and Indoor Activities in Franz Josef – Perfect for a Rainy Day!
Yep, Franz Josef gets a whole lotta rain! While it makes the West Coast forests around all the more luxuriant, it can be a little bit of a pain when you want to do a heli-hike, helicopter tour or skydive. Nevertheless, if you do get caught in Franz Josef under the rain, there are still plenty of awesome activities to be done! We’ll give you some inspiration with this list of things to do in Franz Josef on a rainy day.
For when the weather clears up, be sure to have the 10 Epic Things to Do in Franz Josef at the ready.
1. Blast Through River Valleys on a Quad Bike Tour
Yes, this is an outdoor activity in Franz Josef that is more epic in the rain! Explore glacial valleys, riverbeds and rainforests left in the wake of the Franz Josef Glacier on an exciting ATV tour with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours. This 2-hour tour has you off-roading on all sorts of terrain, made all the muddier (and just plain better) in the rain. No experience is required, as you’ll get driving tips and practice laps with your guide before setting out on this thrilling journey. Find out more about quad bike tours, as well as 4WD buggy tours, on franzjoseftours.co.nz.
Location: 30 Main Road, Franz Josef town.
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© Franz Josef Wilderness Tours2. See Kiwi Birds at the West Coast Wildlife Centre
Get out of the rain at this indoor attraction in Franz Josef town. The West Coast Wildlife Centre is the South Island’s largest kiwi hatching facility, helping in the conservation of some of the rarest species of kiwi, like the rowi kiwi. See kiwi birds in the nocturnal kiwi house or get a “backstage pass” to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the hatchery and possibly see kiwi chicks. The centre also has an interactive glacier exhibition. Plus, this is one of the 10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids.
Location: Corner of Cowan and Cron Streets, Franz Josef town.
© West Coast Wildlife Centre3. Go Fishing on Lake Mapourika
Fishing is always better in the rain, right? Join a local skipper on Lake Mapourika for excellent brown trout and salmon fishing. Franz Josef Wilderness Tours offers fishing charters in their boat kitted up for all weather scenarios. No previous experience is needed and the team will sort out all the logistics like a fishing license and gear. Just sit back and enjoy a relaxing day on the lake with hot drinks available and great fishing to be had!
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.
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© Franz Josef Wilderness Tours4. Treat Yourself to an Extended Lunch or Dinner
Warm yourself up with a hot coffee or a hearty meal at one of the town’s awesome restaurants. Try New Zealand craft beer and Asian street food at the Snakebite Brewery, classic New Zealand homemade cuisine at the historic Alice May, and all-you-eat pizza nights at the Monsoon Bar! See more restaurant recommendations in The Complete Travel Guide to Franz Josef.
Location: Snakebite Brewery – 28 Main Road. Alice May – 30 Cron Street. Monsoon Bar – 46 Cron Street.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Cruise Around Lake Mapourika
Another one from Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, their two-hour Lake Mapourika cruise has you cruising on vividly reflective waters. The small-group boat tour makes for a relaxing way to explore the lake on a rainy day, especially with the undercover cabin and hot beverages onboard.
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.
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© NZPocketGuide.com6. Warm-Up in the Waiho Hot Tubs
Enjoy an indulgent private hot pool experience with Waiho Hot Tubs. Hidden among the dense Franz Josef, wood-fired hot tubs are there for you to enjoy for an hour’s soaking session. Bring your own nibbles and drinks and choose to add Epsom salts or lavender hydrosol to your pool. It’s certainly one of the more relaxing things to do in Franz Josef on a rainy day. See more lavish experiences like this in the 10 Luxury Activities in Franz Josef.
Location: 64B Cron Street, Franz Josef town.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Carve Your Own Greenstone
Carving greenstone, locally known as pounamu, is an integral part of Maori tradition. Make yourself a meaningful souvenir to take home by carving your own greenstone at the Te Koha Gallery. Either carve greenstone found on the West Coast or choose one of the other New Zealand stones like Aotea stone (kyanite), rhodonite (pink stone) or tangiwai (NZ bowenite). Get inspiration for your designs with The Greenstone Pendant Meanings. Check out more activities that are awesome for couples in 10 Romantic Things to Do in Franz Josef.
Location: 10 Main Road, Franz Josef town.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Enjoy a Wet Walk to the Franz Josef Glacier Terminal Face
You can still get a glimpse of the Franz Josef Glacier even when it’s raining and all of the helicopter tours are cancelled, so toughen up, put on that rain jacket, and head out. Either walk the trail independently on the Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk as one of the free things to do in Franz Josef or enrich the experience further by taking a 3-hour guided hike through the valley with Glacier Valley Eco Tours.
Location: Glacier Access Road, approximately 5 km (3 mi) from Franz Josef just south of the Waiho River Bridge.
© Unsplash9. Cosy Up with a “Helimax” Movie at the Franz Josef Cinema
Helicopter tour is cancelled? There’s a way around it in the comfort of the Franz Josef Cinema. Featuring “Westland Wonderland”, a 40-minute “helimax” experience showcasing the remote wilderness and wildlife of the southwest region of New Zealand, the Franz Josef Cinema tells the story of the Franz Josef and West Coast region that very few get to see. Screenings are available at 10 am daily.
Location: Alpine Adventure Centre, 29 Main Road, Franz Josef township.
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© Viator10. Binge-Watch 365 Days, 365 Activities in New Zealand
Ok, so this is a bit of shameless self-promotion here, but did you know that the team from NZPocketGuide.com did 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand? Get some New Zealand bucket list inspiration for the next leg of your trip by watching some of our awesome episodes on YouTube!
[CLOSED] Relax at the Glacier Hot Pools
Relax, unwind and keep warm at the fabulous Glacier Hot Pools. Nestled in surroundings inspired by nature, from local rainforest to riverbed rocks, the hot pools provide a stunning environment. Choose from varying temperatures in the three main pools or treat yourself to a private pool.
Location: 63 Cron Street.
More Things to Do in Franz Josef
That’s it for our list of things to do in Franz Josef on a rainy day. For more activity inspiration, check out the following guides:
- 30 Best Things to Do in Franz Josef
- 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Franz Josef
- 10 Things to Do in Franz Josef with Kids
Finally, find more activities for your travels in the 51 Best Things to Do on the South Island and 10 Unique & Unusual Things to Do on the South Island.
