Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours Explore further in Franz Josef GlacieršŸŒæ
Kayaks, boat tours and quad bike tours.
100% locally owned Explore beyond the glaciers in Franz Josef.

Kayak, Cruise or Fish with us on Lake Mapourika - OR - join an exciting quad bike or buggy tour through Jurassic rainforest and a glacial riverbed! There's a tour for everyone...
www.franzjoseftours.co.nz

Weā€™ve been spending a bit of time around our off-road test tracks lately, and it hasnā€™t all involved quad bikes.Over the...
22/09/2026

Weā€™ve been spending a bit of time around our off-road test tracks lately, and it hasnā€™t all involved quad bikes.

Over the last year our team have cleared trailer loads of gorse and planted around 200 native plants in an area thatā€™s being built up with stopbanks for river protection. Itā€™s the first site for our Wilderness Tours Regeneration Project, and thereā€™s plenty more to do.

One of our favourite moments so far was seeing guests ask if they could help put plants in the ground too. So weā€™re making that possible: if youā€™d like to leave a native plant behind in Franz Josef, you can plant one during your visit or buy one for our team to plant.

More on this to come. But for now:

https://franzjoseftours.co.nz/wilderness-tours-regeneration-project/
_____
Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

"Rain or shine, completely divine!" Review from TripAdvisor - Mary Sā­ā­ā­ā­ā­"As it's said, there is no bad weather, only in...
08/09/2026

"Rain or shine, completely divine!" Review from TripAdvisor - Mary S
ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­
"As it's said, there is no bad weather, only inadequate equipment. Bearing that in mind, our group paddled to the hike site in the pouring rain, well protected from the elements. The views of the mountains surrounding the lake were ethereal in the misty rain, and the kayak trip was smooth and pleasant. On the walk, we saw a profusion of temperate rainforest plants, along with a number of native birds. Our guide, Max, was not only extremely knowledgeable, but also a phenomenal communicator. From start to finish, this was an amazing experience.
I'm so glad I did it!"

Join a kayak tour - rain or shine we'll gear you up for the task:
https://franzjoseftours.co.nz/kayak-tours/

_____
Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

The wetter the better we like to say... ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­"The guys were amazing today in the rain - the tour went ahead like clockwo...
27/08/2026

The wetter the better we like to say...

ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­
"The guys were amazing today in the rain - the tour went ahead like clockwork.
The office staff were really friendly!
THANK YOU for the photos!!"
-Alison M Google Review

Read more reviews here: https://share.google/b7g25Ijxma6ikagGk

Better yet - come join us for a tour!
_____

Glacier Country NZ Development West Coast West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

We're honoured to be nominated as finalists for 2 awards with Development West Coast's Leading Light Business Awards.We'...
06/08/2026

We're honoured to be nominated as finalists for 2 awards with Development West Coast's Leading Light Business Awards.

We're up for the People First Award & Large Enterprise.

Being nominated for the Large Enterprise Award came as a bit of a shock to us, and something we had to sit back and consider. On paper, it seemed we did actually meet that category. Which made us look back and reflect on where we've been over the last 13 years and what has gotten us to this point.

Back in 2013, we bought a small kayaking operation (1 van and approximately 10 kayaks). As young 25 year old guides ourselves, this was a dream come true for us! šŸ›¶

We were still living in staff accommodation provided by Dale's full time job at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Over the years we grew the business, whilst working 24/7 and re-investing everything back into it.

Eventually we expanded into buying the Hanna-k (our red tour boat), which led to Dale becoming a qualified maritime skipper and quitting his day job to work entirely for himself.

As we continued to grow, we were looking for ways to expand our offerings. We realised becoming a bigger company would allow us to build more year-round structure into the business.

In reality, we also needed to be able to take some weekends off with our kids, and that's not always possible for a small business owner.

That was when we purchased the quad bike operation, which provided more work for our team all year round and was an awesome, fun variation to the tours we run in Franz Josef.

We haven't looked back since, it's been a wild ride but we're proud of where we are and look forward to where the future will bring us.

Thanks for the nomination Development West Coast
_____
Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

Photos: Bare Kiwi

Winter scenes in Franz Josef look like this ā„ļø Snow dusting the tops of the Southern Alps and Glaciers contrasted agains...
12/07/2026

Winter scenes in Franz Josef look like this ā„ļø

Snow dusting the tops of the Southern Alps and Glaciers contrasted against lush green temperate rainforest makes for the some of the most unique winter scenery in New Zealand!

Featured here:
1- Waiho River Bed on our Off-Road Adventure Tour
2- Lake Mapourika on a Kayak Classic Tour

Learn more, or book online here:
www.franzjoseftours.co.nz
____

Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

"One of the best things we did in NZ was the quad bikes.".. Benji and Ollie were amazing guides and made it fun for all ...
22/06/2026

"One of the best things we did in NZ was the quad bikes."
.. Benji and Ollie were amazing guides and made it fun for all of us even in the pouring rain. Iā€™d do it again in a second. Thanks guys"

An experience not to be missed, as mentioned by over 1400 5-star Google Reviewsā­
Varied terrain, from rainforest to riverbed and a fun activity in the rain or shine. Our guides often get a mention for being passionate, safe and funšŸ’¦

Let us show you some of the West Coast - off the beaten track:

https://franzjoseftours.co.nz/off-road-adventure-tour/

Photos: Bare Kiwi
___
Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

21/06/2026

Quad bikes are uniquely West Coast and provide access to some unreal hidden spots that you could never get to otherwise.
It's about the vehicle, but where it'll take you... bonus is that they are also pretty fun to ride!

Have you been on a quad bike before? Let us know šŸ‘‡

šŸŽ„Kyle Mulinder

16/06/2026

Explore beyond the glacier.

Most people come to Franz Josef for the glacier, but beyond the ice lies a wilderness paradise packed with adventure, hidden landscapes, and experiences you wonā€™t find anywhere else.

It was an absolute privilege to help bring this story to life with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours and showcase what makes this part of New Zealand so special.

The only question isā€¦ which adventure would you choose? šŸ‘‡

1. Cruising
2. Kayaking
3. Quad biking

Let me know in the comments...

Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand

Most visitors drive right past Lake Mapourika without realising what lies beyond the shoreline.Hidden among the rainfore...
13/06/2026

Most visitors drive right past Lake Mapourika without realising what lies beyond the shoreline.

Hidden among the rainforest are narrow creeks that wind through a protected kiwi conservation area within the UNESCO World Heritage wilderness of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Paddling beneath towering kahikatea and rimu trees, it's easy to feel as though you've stepped back in time into a Jurassic rainforest untouched for centuries.

Step ashore and explore the forest on foot, take a moment to enjoy a hot drink surrounded by mountain views. On calm days, experience the famous mirror reflections that make Lake Mapourika one of the West Coast's most spectacular hidden gems.

Have you explored Lake Mapourika yet?

šŸ“ Franz Josef Glacier
šŸ“ø Free photos included on all guided kayak tours

www.franzjoseftours.co.nz/kayak-tours/
____
Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

Scenery like this hardly looks real šŸ˜ šŸ“Lake Mapourika, Franz Josef NZ www.franzjoseftours.co.nz/boat-tours/ Captured mag...
08/06/2026

Scenery like this hardly looks real šŸ˜
šŸ“Lake Mapourika, Franz Josef NZ

www.franzjoseftours.co.nz/boat-tours/

Captured magically by: Bare Kiwi

Glacier Country NZ West Coast, New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand

Address

30 Main Road
Franz Josef Glacier
7886

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+64273244011

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Franz Josef Wilderness Tours posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Franz Josef Wilderness Tours:

Shortcuts

Share

Category