West Coast Glaciers
Trip Start
Feb 16, 2009
1
32
44
Trip End
Aug 02, 2009
Franz Josef,
South Island,
New Zealand
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Our new car
After extensive internet research and another magic discount code, we collected our bargain 4x4 early on Tuesday morning (we paid extra to get the gold one) and headed out of Queenstown towards Wanaka. The journey into this region was spectacular with views of the twin lakes, Wanaka and Hawea, wedged between awesome hills and cliffs. 
Lake Wanaka
We made it through the Haast pass and started the journey up the West coast through Mt Aspiring National Park. A couple of hours drive north and we reached Franz Josef township just before sunset. It was a long drive and the roads were very busy, we saw 8 cars in 5 hours.
Country Retreat
After checking in at our country retreat b'n'b we decided to wind down from the day's drive with a dip in the pools at the hot springs followed by dinner at The Landing.
Fox Glacier
Franz Josef
Heli snow landing
The next day we were booked on to a 10am Glacier heli flight which took us to the head of the Franz Josef Glacier followed by a snow landing with views of Mt Cook and then back over the Fox Glacier. Both are very impressive sights and certainly a highlight of our trip so far. 
West coast
Back on dry land and we jumped back in the car ready for the 5-hour journey across Arthur's Pass and the Canterbury plains to Christchurch. 
