Fox Glacier by Campervan: Lake Matheson, Flights and a Quieter Base

Quick summary: Fox Glacier is the quieter of the West Coast’s two glacier townships, and a favourite campervan stop for its relaxed pace and its famous neighbour, Lake Matheson. Around 25 km south of Franz Josef on State Highway 6, the township has holiday parks, flight bases and cafés, and the mirror lake on its doorstep reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook on still mornings. Park the campervan or motorhome here for flights, heli-hikes and some of New Zealand’s most photographed views.

At a glance
Where	State Highway 6, South Westland
From Franz Josef	Around 25 km, about 30 minutes
From Haast	Around 120 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes
Glacier	Fox/Te Moeka o Tuawe
Signature experiences	Lake Matheson, scenic flights, heli-hikes, skydiving
Tours	Fox Glacier tours

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Why base yourself at Fox Glacier?

Because it’s calmer than Franz Josef but just as close to the mountains. The township is small and easy to walk around, with flight operators on the main road, and Lake Matheson is only a few minutes’ drive away. For travellers coming north from Haast and Wānaka, it’s the first glacier stop; for those heading south, it’s the last before the long, wild drive to Haast.

What is Lake Matheson?

A small, dark lake in the rainforest around 6 km west of the township, famous for reflecting Aoraki/Mount Cook and Aoraki/Mount Tasman in its still water. The lake was formed by glacial action, and its dark colour comes from natural tannins washed from the forest floor. A walking track around the lake takes about 1.5 hours, with viewpoints along the way and a café at the start.

Is Lake Matheson worth an early start in an RV?

Yes. The reflections are usually best early in the morning, when the air is still and before cloud builds over the mountains. The car park has space for campervans and motorhomes, but it fills later in the day, so arriving early also makes parking easier. If the mountains are clouded over, try again the next morning.

What else can you do at Fox Glacier?

• Walk towards the glacier. Tracks lead through the glacier valley and to lookouts such as the Chalet Lookout. Access changes as the ice retreats and the river shifts, so check with DOC for the current tracks.
• Visit Gillespies Beach, a wild beach with an old gold-mining area and a walk to a seal colony. The road there is around 20 km and largely unsealed, so check your rental terms first.
• Head south to Lake Paringa, Knights Point and Ship Creek, on the way to Haast.

Which glacier tours leave from Fox Glacier?

Tour	What to expect	Book
Scenic flight with snow landing	Over Fox, Franz Josef and the high peaks	Helicopter tours
Heli-hike	Onto the ice for a guided walk	Heli-hike tours
Twin glacier flight	Both glaciers in one flight	Twin glacier tours
Skydive	Freefall above the glaciers and coast	Skydive tours

Browse all Fox Glacier tours.

Where can you stay?

• Holiday parks in the township, close to the flight bases and cafés.
• DOC campsites to the south, including at Lake Paringa.
• Freedom camping is possible only at a few permitted sites, generally in certified self-contained vehicles, where Westland District Council or DOC allows it.

See our guide to campsites near the glaciers.

Should you stay at Fox or Franz Josef?

Both are excellent. Fox suits travellers who prefer a quieter base and want to be close to Lake Matheson; Franz Josef has more choice of tours, cafés and holiday parks. With two or three nights on the coast, one in each works well. See Franz Josef by campervan.

Where does the trip go next?

South to Haast, around 120 km, or north to Franz Josef, around 25 km. For the drive over the Haast Pass to Wānaka, see our sister site’s Haast Pass route.

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Frequently Asked Questions