The Fox Glacier region is an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Area located on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand.
Distinction Hotel Fox Glacier - your Fox Glacier accommodation - is located in the township of Fox Glacier, a lovely and quaint settlement nestled at the foot of the magnificent Southern Alps. The township is located some 172 kilometres (110 miles) from Hokitika in the north, 119kms (75 miles) from Haast township, or 273 kms (170 miles) from Wanaka in the south. Travel is easy on fully sealed roads flanked by podacarp forests down the West Coast.
Fox Glacier itself is a spectacular alpine glacier that drains the western slopes of the Southern Alps, descending from the permanent snowfields at around 2300 metres where the snow accumulates, to the glacier toe which rumbles to approximately 200 metres above sea level.
From the North
Christchurch
Drive over Arthur's Pass to Hokitika 259 kms (162 miles) which will take you on average 3 to 4 hours. Or take the Tranz Alpine Express rail trip from Christchurch to Greymouth.
Nelson
Fox Glacier is 338 kms (211 miles) from Nelson, usually a day driving but it's a spectacular route to the West Coast.
Hokitika
Fox Glacier is 166 kms (103 miles) from Hokitika and the highway is dotted with small rural towns.
From the South
Queenstown
Fox Glacier is 327km from Queenstown, and this route takes you through the Gibbston Valley wine region, the Crown Range and Cardrona Valley. State Highway 6 takes you all the way north, through Lake Hawea and Haast Pass to Fox Glacier.