Skip to main content

Story: West Coast places

Franz Josef Glacier

Image
Franz Josef Glacier

Travellers to South Westland can get close to two major glaciers – Franz Josef and Fox. This view of the Franz Josef Glacier, taken in early 2008 from Sentinel Rock, shows how the glacier descends down a very steep valley from its névé (source area) in the mountains to low altitude. The front (or snout) of the glacier is surrounded by native forest. In the past, when the glacier has advanced, it has actually pushed trees over.

Using this item

Private collection

by Simon Nathan

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Simon Nathan, West Coast places – Glaciers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/21029/franz-josef-glacier (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Simon Nathan, published 3 March 2009.