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Franz Josef Glacier, Snow Landing, New Zealand
Home Destinations Australasia New Zealand South Island West Coast and Glaciers

South Island West Coast and Glaciers

This strip of the South Island boasts five of New Zealand’s 14 national parks and is a rugged land of wild beaches, inland snowy peaks, indigenous forests, crystal clear lakes and the glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef.

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The small town of Punakaiki is known for the pancake rocks & blowholes – thin, horizontal layers of limestone, formed through a weathering process known as stylobedding. Just south of here is Greymouth from where the TranzAlpine train departs for its journey across the Southern Alps.

Fox and Franz Josef are two small townships just 20 minutes’ drive apart and are home to ancient glaciers, nestled amidst the primaeval rainforest. These glaciers are best visited either from the air on a scenic flight or on a heli-hike where you can don your crampons and experience the ice formations up close.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

View from the Tranz Alpine Train, Christchurch to Greymouth, New Zealand
 

TranzAlpine Train Journey

Board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey between Greymouth and Christchurch, passing through epic scenery.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Franz Josef Glacier, Snow Landing, New Zealand
 

Glacier Heli-Hiking

Heli-hike on the icy surface of Franz Josef Glacier, walking among ice caves and ridges.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
 

Heli-Adventure over Mount Cook

Take the Grand Traverse scenic flight over Mount Cook and Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lake Moeraki sunrise, New Zealand
 

Lake Moeraki

Explore the wild coastline and native bush around Lake Moeraki, gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, South Island, New Zealand
 

Visit Pancake Rocks

Formed through a weathering process known as stylobedding, limestone pillars of thin, horizontal layers create blowholes through which the sea bursts spectacularly during high tide.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Exterior, Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Where to stay

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

This lodge-style hotel is nestled amid the rainforest on the West Coast of New Zealand. The retreat is nothing short of an eco-friendly accommodation designed with reused native materials and natural hues.

Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
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Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
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Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
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Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
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Need Inspiration?
Browse our New Zealand holiday ideas.

Our New Zealand experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering.
16 days from £15,950pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Idea
New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, Maori life, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
21 days from £6,495pp
Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
New Zealand
The Remote Sounds of New Zealand’s South
Slip into the furthest reaches of Fiordland on an intimate expedition cruise aboard an 18-guest yacht. Over 10 days, explore the great sounds and seldom-visited inlets, from Milford and Doubtful to remote Dusky and George Sound. 
Departing 16th July 2026
10 days from £4,465pp
Heritage Explorer viewed through trees, Heritage Expeditions, Fiordland, New Zealand
View Cruise
Idea
New Zealand
New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer.
16 days from £5,795pp
Llupins, Lake Tekapo
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Diving in Indonesia
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Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

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Explore other regions

Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

Enjoy one of New Zealand's most scenic drives towards World Heritage site Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with beautiful mountains and lakes.

Road to Mount Cook, New Zealand

Nelson, Marlborough & Abel Tasman

Marlborough basks in year-round sunshine, providing perfect conditions for walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and vineyard explorations.

Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Christchurch and Kaikoura

The Canterbury landscape covers the northeastern part of New Zealand’s South Island and ranges from miles of silvery beach to the jagged…

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Dunedin and the Catlins

The Otago Peninsula is rich in flora and fauna with diverse wildlife, idyllic fishing villages and rolling green pastures.

Tunnel Beach, Dunedin Coastline, New Zealand

Queenstown and Wanaka

Today Queenstown and the nearby Fiordland National Park is treasured for its magnificent scenery and adventure opportunities.

Lake Wanaka Tree

Bay of Islands

With a sub-tropical climate, you can enjoy beach and water activities, explore one of the many nature trails, visit the ancient Kauri…

Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Volcanic Heartland

The centre of New Zealand’s North Island is also the heart of the countries volcanic activity. At its most active some 2000…

Champagne Pool, Wai O Tapu, New Zealand

Wellington and Martinborough Wine Regions

A fine harbour city and a centre for culture and the arts it is also home to New Zealand’s Parliament, Victoria University…

Beautiful New Zealand vineyard

Hawkes Bay and Napiers Wineries

New Zealand's leading producer of red wines and has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture.

Gannets, Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Auckland and the Coromandel

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most multicultural city and is known as the City of Sails for its fantastic sailing opportunities.

Cathedral Cove

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