At a latitude of only forty-four degrees south and in a relatively mild climate, no other glaciers in the world are as easily accessible as Fox and Franz Josef.   Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2600 metres on its 13 kilometre journey towards the coast. Named after an early New Zealand Prime Minister, William Fox, the glacier is 300 metres deep and its terminal face is just 5 kilometres from the township. The road to the glacier crosses ancient moraine from earlier advances and retreats.

Near Fox Glacier is beautiful Lake Matheson, icon of the West Coast with its enchanting reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, New Zealand's highest peaks. A delightful bush track walk follows the lake edge.   At Gillespies Beach, up to 1500 seals congregate during winter below Waikowhai Bluff, with smaller numbers to be seen in summer.  A walk along a bush path at the south end of the township to a grotto of ferns will be rewarded by a spectacular show of glow worms sparkling through the clear, black night.