2761 Franz Josef Highway, Westland, New Zealand
+64 3 752 0054 or 0800 453 633

At Glenfern Villas

Visit our farmlet 'Tatare Peaks' and meet our friendly farm animals. You can interact with our sheep (Mollie, Millie, Mandy and Pandora).
Enjoy a DVD from our library if the weather is not so good or you just feel like enjoying a quiet night in the comfort of your spacious Villa.
We have gas barbecues available allowing you to cook your meal out on the deck of your Villa.
Enjoy our Continental Breakfasts. We deliver your breakfast basket to your Villa the evening prior for you to enjoy at your leisure in the morning.
A children's play area with a springless trampoline and a pétanque court.
Use our free Travel Desk to plan your adventures while in Glacier Country.
There are plenty of ways to spend your time at Glenfern Villas when you are between excursions.

Things to do in and around Franz Josef

There are numerous stunning lake, beach, bush and river walks to enjoy at your leisure, not to mention a wonderful array of great cafés and restaurants. Or for more interactions we recommend the following:

Guided Walks

Guided Walks

Do you love nature, stories and history? Glacier Valley Eco Tours is a New Zealand owned-and-operated local family business who specialise in small-group guided walking tours in Glacier Country, West Coast, New Zealand.

Visit Website

Lake Tours

Lake Tours

Discover the true beauty of the West Coast in a personalised cruise on Lake Mapourika. The Jurassic rainforest-fringed bays which reflects the surrounding Alps and Glaciers will leave you in awe of its beauty. Tour Lake Mapourika with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours.

Visit Website

Scenic Flights

Scenic Flights

When was the last time you flew across a glacier? Rarely does the opportunity to encounter such unique and jaw-dropping natural scenery arise. So, what better way to fully appreciate the vast scale and grandeur of New Zealand's famous West Coast glaciers than by helicopter with Glacier Helicopters?

Visit Website

 

Photography Galleries

Photography Galleries

Petr Hlavacek Gallery is located in a quiet, secluded private setting, right at the foothills of the Southern Alps – 2km north of a small village of Whataroa on the West Coast and only 20 min drive north from Franz Josef Glacier. 20 collectable Fine Art Prints of unique and pristine landscape photographs are on display here.

Visit Website

Spa Treatments

Spa Treatments

Situated in Franz Josef Glacier township surrounded by beautiful native bush and stunning mountain views, Amaia Luxury Spa offers outstanding skin and body therapies in a peaceful and relaxed environment. Gorgeous facial therapies that will restore your natural radiance and balance your skins needs.

Visit Website

Greenstone Carving

Greenstone Carving

Te Koha Aotearoa is a family-run workshop and gallery space, nestled in a dramatic Franz Josef valley. Let them guide you through the process of carving a special piece of jewellery from their beautiful range of pounamu, much of which has been sourced from local West Coast riverbeds.

Visit Website

 

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife Viewing

West Coast Wildlife Centre is the home of the official breeding programme for the world's rarest kiwi called the Rowi and now the Haast Kiwi! All weather and indoor wildlife attraction with glacier and West Coast storytelling areas.

Visit Website

Quad Bike Rides

Quad Bike Rides

Experience the thrill of riding unique 2-seater quad bikes or 3-seater buggies through a variety of terrain including a stunning rainforest, splash through rivers and ride over ancient glacial riverbed and grassland. Have fun in the sun and see spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the famous Franz Josef Glacier.

Visit Website

Horse Trekking

Horse Trekking

Situated on 100 acres of stunning West Coast land just 6km south of the Fox Glacier township you will find the home of our Horse Riding family. With 16 well-trained and experienced horses there is a mount to match your riding ability and in no time at all you'll be off to explore places that are not accessible to the general public.

Visit Website

 

Hot Tub Soaks

Hot Tub Soaks

Enjoy your own private tubs, nestled in a lush rainforest setting on New Zealand's West Coast. The wood-fired hot tubs combine the soothing comfort of warm water with the unique atmosphere of wood smoke to give you an unforgettable experience.

Visit Website

Ebike, Kayak & SUP Hire

Ebike, Kayak & Stand-up Paddleboarding Hire

Mountain bikes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are all available for hire to explore the waterways of Lake Mapourika and the West Coast trails! Catch the fresh morning sun or the dreamy evening glow – either on land with a bike hire to the glacier. Or enjoy a glassy lake by kayak or Stand-up Paddleboarding.

Visit Website

Skydiving

Skydiving

Skydive amongst mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and ocean views. Skydive Franz & Fox has New Zealand's highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and the biggest glaciers Fox and Franz Josef glaciers immediately on the right and the wide blue ocean on the left.

Visit Website