I'm going for a visit to New Zealand and desperately want to see Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.?

Unfortunately though, my boyfriend has sore knees and I'm worried he may hurt them more if he hikes. We also can't afford to do the helicopter thing. Is it worth a visit still? I'm unsure if there is a viewing area or you can see it from the carpark or something similar. Does anyone have any ideas of places or towns worth the (day) drive from Christchurch? Were going in June %26amp; we'd really love to see some snow too. Thanks!

I'm going for a visit to New Zealand and desperately want to see Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.?
Franz Joseph Glacier - http://www.franzjosefglacier.com - it is great - I mean how many other times do you see a glacier? Worth the trip even if you don't hike alot of it I think. Just do the Valley walk - less stress on the old knee.





Hanmer Springs is nice - 90 mins drive north of Christchurch


http://www.nzhotsprings.com


http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz





Christchurch - The Gondola is great - http://www.gondola.co.nz and


Christchurch's International Antarctic Centre - http://www.iceberg.co.nz (near the airport)





Whale watching is also different- it's in Kaikoura. (2 1/2 hours from Christchurch) http://www.kaikoura.co.nz


http://www.whalewatch.co.nz





Other places for snow in the area go to http://www.snow.co.nz/areas/area_index.a...


Highlight the places on the right and it will show you were it is...
Reply:Hanmer Springs
Reply:You can see the glaciers from a distance, Franz is probalby easier to see than Fox. I am not sure how bad your boyfriends knees are, but there are a couple of little walks you can do...there is centennial (I think thats the name) walk which is about 5-10mins from the carpark, it is up a hill, but you get a view of the glacier. There is another called Peters pool, which again is a few minutes, there is a small refelctive lake, I'm not sure how far the glacier has moved and if you can still see it reflected in the pool....but its a nice little walk ie 10mins.





It takes about 4 hours I guess to drive to Franz (no stopping) from Chrsitchurch, but there are plenty of places to stop at! you may have problems getting thru Arthurs Pass to get to the Coast at times in the winter, but its not actually THAT long a drive.


You could stay in Hokitika or go to Franz or Fox glacier (Franz is half an hour north of Fox).....you will definately see snow!!!....I would recommend going to Lake Matheson which is near to Fox Glacier, which has stunning reflective lakes, which has great views of Mount Cook and Mt Tasman (largest and second tallest mountains in NZ)...it is also an easy walk from the carpark.





The (west) Coast is a whole different place to anywhere else as its so small a population, but has great walks, scenery to see and is one of my favourite places in NZ!!
Reply:get two walking sticks at any outdoor shop before you leave home. they can be broken down small enuf to fit in your suitcase. your b/f can use them when walking anywhere to save his knees. %26amp; they don't look boofy. Go to see Fox and F/J - wear hiking boots %26amp; walk in the valley from the car park - short walk - about 15 min but it is over water, ice and loose rock - so use walking sticks. be prepared for rain so take waterproof jackets.


Hanmer Hot Springs has winter skiing so you'll see snow there AND your b/f will be able to soak in the hot springs which will help his knees.


Take the local bus in Christchurch to see the chair lift BUT don't walk down - stay on the bus %26amp; go to the ocean side thru the tunnel. The walk down is very steep %26amp; very hard on the knees. When you get to the ocean side - go to the local pubs - the British pub is great to have a beer in.


When you're finished take the local bus back to the Christchurch city centre. A very cheap %26amp; satisfying day out %26amp; easy on the knees.