Franz Josef Glacier (New Zealand) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and map.
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| Franz Josef Glacier |
More than 250,000 tourists visit the Franz Josef Glacier every year. Why is it so famous, and what interesting things can be seen in this place? The Franz Josef Glacier is located on the territory of the Westland National Park, which belongs to the Te Wahipunamu region. By the way, this area is sacred to the local population - Maori. In addition, it is a UNESCO heritage site.
The Franz Josef Glacier is the fastest glacier in the world. During the day, the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 m per hour. Thanks to melt water, the Taiho River and several lakes exist. From the mountains surrounding a kind of canyon, numerous waterfalls descend.
A very beautiful and sad legend is connected with the Franz Josef Glacier. The girl Hinehukatere loved mountains more than anything. One day she decided to show the local beauty to her boyfriend Tava. Alas, the young people fell under a landslide, and Tave could not escape. Hinehukatere cried so hard that her tears gave rise to a glacier. So it is no coincidence that this attraction in the Maori language is called “Tears of Hinehukatere”.
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| Franz Josef Glacier |
The Franz Josef Glacier is 12 km long. Around it you can take a horseback ride.
The first mention of the Franz Josef Glacier dates back to 1859. It was then that people who sailed nearby on the Marie Louise saw it. Six years later, the German explorer Julius von Haast gave him a name in honor of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph.
Interestingly, this is the "fastest" glacier in the world. During the day, the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 m per hour. Thanks to melt water, the Taiho River and several lakes exist. From the mountains surrounding a kind of canyon, numerous waterfalls descend.
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| Franz Josef Glacier |
The Franz Josef Glacier descends from the Southern Alps and passes through the temperate wet New Zealand forest.
Not far from this attraction is the small town of Franz Josef. This peculiar tourist center has cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels and even a helipad. Why do you think she's here? Everything is simple. From here, tourists take helicopters to the main field of the Franz Josef Glacier. Local companies offer a variety of options for exploring the glacier: there are small walking tours, and there are complex multi-day hikes. In any case, you will need comfortable sportswear, mountain boots, cat spikes and ice axes.
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| Franz Josef Glacier |
There are over 60 glaciers in Westland National Park. But the most famous of them are the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox.
You can do this trip on your own or with an experienced guide. By the way, tourists can also take a tour of the grottoes and tunnels of the glacier. Keep in mind that you cannot go very close directly to the glacier. The fact is that at any moment a rockfall can begin here, or huge blocks of ice can suddenly fly.
The Franz Josef Glacier can be visited at any time of the year.