Hi Everyone!

I'm trying to decide if one town is better than the other for a two night stay. Fodor's says FJ is "marginally preferable."

We are planning to do the heli-hike on Fox Glacier (weather permitting) but will also hike (not sure if with or without guide yet)around Franz Josef. We also plan to visit Lake Matheson and do other short hikes. We'll be coming from Punakairi area so it will be a longish driving day. From F/FJ we head to Wanaka.

So which town to chose? Does it matter? How close together are these two towns? I like the looks of the Lake Matheson Hotel in Fox. Anyone stayed there before? Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much! This is my first topic on Fodor's but I've lurked for awhile.

Hi Nola -

We've stayed in both villages.

Franz Josef is slightly bigger and has a few more services, and a nice visitor's center. It's a short drive to Okarito (lagoon) from Franz Josef, which might be considered a bonus by some visitors.

Fox Glacier is about a 40 minute drive south of Franz Josef. It has the bonus of Lake Matheson.

Both villages offer helihikes and glacier hikes, both offer several nice walks.

We've stayed at the Matheson Motel in Fox and would happily stay there again - not sure if this is the same place you're considering.

If you get an early start from Punakaiki, you'll have time to take a short hike or two in Franz and maybe have some lunch before driving to Fox, where you could do your overnight - this would prevent backtracking.

We stayed at the Lake Matheson Hotel in Fox for 1 night. It was a plain motel, adequate for 1 night.

The road between FJ and Fox is mountainous and curvy. Took us about 45 minutes drive in the dark and rain.

I suspect that you might want to stay at the place where you will be heli-hiking, if you plan to do that in the AM.

Thanks Melnq8 for putting the distance in perspective--it's good to know that we'll have time to take in some sights between Punakaiki and Fox...

I think we will stay in Fox, especially since the road is "mountainous and curvy" as Jed describes, and our heli-hike is on Fox.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Lake Matheson motel. I will keep looking for accomodations because we prefer B & Bs or charming (but not outrageously priced) small places but it would be a good back-up choice.

Nola -

We drove from Punakaiki to Haast on our last visit in August. We made a stop in Hokitika, walked the Glacier View path at Franz Josef (30 minute return), took the path to Peter's Pool (25 minute return), had lunch in Fox Glacier (Cook Saddle), drove down the Fox Glacier View Road and took the short walk (10 minute return) to the overlook, stopped at Ship Creek where we took the Forest Swamp Walk (20 minute return) and the Dune Lake and Viewpoint walk (30 minute return). It took us 8 hours to drive from Punakaiki to Haast with stops - without stops, it would have been just over 5 hours (361 km).

The drive from Punakaiki to Fox Glacier without stops takes about 3:30 (244 km).

We were there in the winter, when days were short - you should have plenty of time to drive from Punakaiki to Fox and still make lots of stops along the way.

For drive times and distances:
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/td-calculator.php

For an upscale B&B in Fox, you might want to consider this place:

www.weheka.co.nz/

For other lodging options, this site might be helpful:

http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/wes...dation/hotels/

Melnq8, thanks again. You really provide helpful replies. It's good to hear from someone who has "been there/done that!" The Te Weheka looks fabulous (I checked it out awhile back) but is (way) out of our price range...

I have so many decisions to make regarding this 3 week trip and I'm trying not to get overwhelmed. So, I thank you and all fodorites for your help. I'll be asking more questions, in other words

Cheers!

The above time estimates are in line with my experience, FJ to Fox. Curvy mountainous road, about 40 minutes.
Hokitika is good for a lunch stop and all the tour buses go to the many jade shops.
We stayed at Te Weheka and did not check out the other hotels. The Cook Saddle is a great restaurant with plenty of atmosphere and good food.
It is good to have two nights there. First, if the weather doesn't cooperate for your first morning flight, you will have a second chance. Since the wind usually gets stronger later in the day, morning flights get cancelled less frequently.
If you have reserved ahead (recommended), give them a call the day before to see how the flights are going and the outlook for your scheduled flight. You may get a revised flight time. If you can't call, try to contact their office upon arrival in Fox.
Lake Matheson, a short walk, provides a postcard view of the mountains at sun-up. Again, if the weather doesn't cooperate with you one morning, you can try the next. We had fog both mornings on the lake, but still got some beautiful pictures.
We walked up to the terminous of Fox Glacier, (CRS attack on time) but maybe 20 minutes hike one way. That was interesting.
Welcome to the board. I also "lurked" here soaking up information prior to our trip. There is so much to see and do, it sometimes boils down to figuring out what you won't get to see, until next time, hopefully.

Thanks for your warm welcome.

One more question about Fox: Unfortunately both of my choices of lodging (Lake Matheson Motel and Reflections Lodge) are booked so we are looking at Ropatini's Homestay. Anyone know anything about this place? They have a nice website and responded quickly to my enquiry...

Why even take a heli trip to Fox or Franz Joseph??
We went to Franz Joseph back in '82 - it was awesome!
2 years ago, we went back, and it was a poor choice - I can only assume that global warming has done it's thing.... it's most unimpressive, at this point in time.
The glacier itself is small, blackened with polution, and the outflow stream is an uninspiring trickle.
There are a lot of other great things to see in NZ. I would not spend big $$ on a heli-hike. But guided hikes around the glaciers would be money better spent, imho.
You get to see the glacial effects and a lot of other flora/fauna stuff for a fraction of the price of a heli trip.

guaranteed...

I doubt that the glaciers are black from "pollution." More likely the embedded rock dust.

I'm assuming the helicopter takes you up high to the snow fields rather than on dark tongue of the glacier.

Guaranteed, since we haven't previously seen the glaciers and have no base for comparison, I'm sure we won't be disappointed! And eventhough the heli-hike is probably the most expensive thing we'll do in NZ, I'm VERY hopeful we get to go up (it all depends on the weather: so weather gods, work with me, please!). But I think the splurge will be worth it (I'll report back on that)!

Also, the heli-hike is advertized as taking you to the upper reaches of the glacier where the ice is blue and we'll get to hike through caves. It sounds awesome!

Fear not, the glaciers are a spectacular glacial blue from up top. The helihike was the highlight of our trip one year, and viewing the glaciers from above and viewing them from below is ENTIRELY different. And no, it's not pollution that makes the glaciers dirty, it's dirt and silt. Come on, this is NZ we're talking about.

So you people think there is no pollution problem in New Zealand, that may impact the quality of the Glacier viewing ??/
I beg to differ, as will nearly every New Zealander that I know.
Airborne particles (pollution or forest fire ash) land on the lower end of the Glaciers, and they stick and aren't broken down.

How much are you paying for this Heli ride?
I still think you can do a lot better for your New Zealan Vacation Dollar.
If you are wealty, go for it, but for the rest of us mere Mortals, I don't think this is money well spent.

guaranteed, fear not, we can afford the heli-hike eventhough we're nowhere near "wealthy." We love exploring other countries and meeting different people. Each vacation, we splurge on one or two activities. Sometimes it's dinner at a fabulous restaurant, sometimes it's going to the opera, sometimes it's a hotel that's usually out of the budget. In NZ, it's the heli-hike. I've been saving for this trip for several years, planning on doing the things that really called to me. This is one of them.

Like I said, I'll report back on whether the dollars spend were worth it. And I hope to learn more whilst I'm there about the effects of pollution and climate change on the glacier.

Nola, don't let the nay-sayers get you down. Go for it.
We couldn't do the heli hike due to health issues, but took the helicopter to the top of Fox and set down there for a while and walked around on pure white snow/ice. It was invigorating and wonderful. Some may think no big deal, but we did.
Have fun.

How much is this heli ride going to cost?

guaranteed, 'cuz I'm humoring you(normally i'd say NOYDB): it's NZ$330 per person with Alpine Guides on Fox Glacier. Go ahead, tell us all how it's a waste of money, rip off, etc. Appreciate the viewpoint, even if mine is different!

No worries, BillJ, we are not going to be put off from this activity and have bookedtwo nights at Fox to give us a better chance at good weather. We're hoping for clear skies, favorable flying conditions, and an unforgettable experience.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

I will not say it's a rip off.
I just think for $700 you can probably get better value in New Zealand, for your vacation dollar.

Nola..

Can You tell me what "NOYBD" ,means ?

G

G,

It means "None Of Your Damm Business"!

Take care & Happy Holidays,

NOLA