Driving SH6 from Franz Josef to Ross | West Coast | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: West Coast Region

Tags: driving, fox glacier, new zealand, ross, west coast

Added: 2 years ago

Driving SH6 starting in Franz Josef and finishing in the historic township of Ross, on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

The Franz Josef Glacier offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial environment that is within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway. With one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and the ocean nearby, Franz Josef is a unique place and a must see region of New Zealand.

Franz Josef Glacier is a located within Westland National Park and forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. The area has some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand, and is located about six kilometres from the centre of the Franz Josef village. See awe-inspiring remnants of the ice age cascading from snowfields to rain-forest valley floors. Hop in a helicopter and have the glacial experience of a lifetime, landing on the top of the glacier and exploring the crevasses and wonders of this remarkable glacier. The glacier tumbles down from the tops of the white, lofty Southern Alps (the tallest in New Zealand) into the rainforest covered valley close to sea level at about 70cm per day – about 10 times faster than normal glaciers. This provides a very rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacier in a temperate environment, within easy driving and walking distance from the main highway. Franz Josef village is in a high rainfall zone with mild temperatures.