Hokitika to Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Haast by Campervan
Quick summary: The West Coast road is one of the wildest campervan and motorhome drives in New Zealand: rainforest, glacier valleys, mirror lakes, and empty beaches pounded by the Tasman Sea, with the Southern Alps rising almost straight from the coast. From the artisan town of Hokitika, State Highway 6 runs south past Franz Josef and Fox glaciers to the tiny settlement of Haast, around 280 km. Allow three days, and leave room for a glacier heli-hike.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Hokitika to Haast |
| Distance | Around 280 km (Hokitika to Franz Josef around 135 km; Fox Glacier to Haast around 120 km) |
| Pure driving time | Around 4 hr |
| Recommended time | 3–4 days |
| Road character | Sealed; winding in places, many one-lane bridges, coastal and rainforest sections |
| Key stops | Hokitika, Hokitika Gorge, Ross, Ōkārito, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson, Knights Point, Ship Creek, Haast |
| Overnight options | Holiday parks in Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Haast; DOC campsites at lakes along the way |
| Nearest pickup city | Christchurch (via Arthur’s Pass) |
| Best for | Glaciers, rainforest walks, wild beaches and scenic flights |
Why is the West Coast such a special drive?
Because nowhere else in the world do glaciers descend so close to the sea in a temperate rainforest. Here the Southern Alps rise steeply from a narrow coastal strip, catching the moisture-laden westerly winds. The result is lush rainforest of rimu, kahikatea and tree ferns, rivers of milky glacial water, and two great glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox, flowing down from the névés high above.
The coast itself is just as dramatic: long, driftwood-strewn beaches, rugged headlands and the constant roar of the Tasman Sea. Much of this land is part of the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Towns are small and far apart, traffic is light, and the sense of space is enormous.
Yes, it rains a lot on the West Coast. But the rain is what makes the forest so green and the waterfalls so plentiful, and when the sky clears, the views of the Alps from Lake Matheson or the glacier valleys are among the best in New Zealand.
What are the best stops between Hokitika and Haast?
| Stop | Distance from Hokitika | Time to allow | Campervan notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokitika | Start | Half a day to a full day | Pounamu galleries, beach, Hokitika Gorge side trip |
| Lake Mahinapua | Around 10 km | 30 min | Lake walks; treetop walkway nearby |
| Ross | Around 28 km | 30 min | Historic gold-mining town |
| Lake Ianthe | Around 60 km | 15 min | Quiet lakeside stop |
| Ōkārito turn-off | Around 120 km | Half a day | Lagoon, kiwi sanctuary, coastal walks |
| Franz Josef/Waiau | Around 135 km | 1–2 days | Glacier walks, heli-hikes, hot pools |
| Fox Glacier/Weheka | Around 160 km | 1 day | Glacier walks, Lake Matheson |
| Lake Matheson | Around 166 km | 1–2 hours | Famous mirror-lake views of the Alps |
| Bruce Bay | Around 205 km | 15 min | Beach with a tradition of messages written on stones |
| Knights Point | Around 255 km | 15 min | Lookout over the coastline |
| Ship Creek | Around 265 km | 30 min to 1 hr | Rainforest and dune walks |
| Haast | Around 280 km | Overnight | Small settlement, start of the Haast Pass |
Hokitika
Hokitika is a lively little town and the West Coast’s centre for pounamu, the New Zealand greenstone treasured by Māori. Watch carvers at work in the galleries, walk the driftwood-strewn beach, and stay for sunset at Sunset Point. After dark, the glowworm dell on the edge of town is a magical short walk.
Hokitika Gorge
Around 33 km inland from Hokitika, the Hokitika Gorge is famous for its startling turquoise water, coloured by glacial rock flour. A short walk and swing bridge lead to viewpoints over the gorge. It is an out-and-back side trip, but well worth it.
Ross
Ross was one of the richest gold-mining towns on the West Coast, and New Zealand’s largest gold nugget was found here. The goldfields heritage walk passes old workings and a restored miner’s cottage.
Ōkārito
A short detour leads to Ōkārito, a tiny settlement on a vast tidal lagoon. It is home to the rowi, the rarest kiwi species, and guided night walks give visitors a chance to see them. Kayaking on the lagoon and the coastal Ōkārito Trig walk are other highlights.
Franz Josef/Waiau
Franz Josef is the busier of the two glacier towns, with plenty of tours, cafés and places to stay. Walks lead up the glacier valley towards the ice, with viewpoints that vary depending on conditions in the valley. The glacier hot pools, set in the rainforest, are a wonderful way to end a day, and the wildlife centre in town cares for young kiwi.
Fox Glacier/Weheka and Lake Matheson
Fox Glacier is quieter, and the glacier valley walk leads through a landscape scoured by ice. Just outside town, Lake Matheson is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand: on a still morning, its dark waters reflect Aoraki/Mount Cook and Aoraki/Mount Tasman perfectly. The walk around the lake takes about 1.5 hours, and the café at the start is a great breakfast stop.
South Westland: Bruce Bay to Haast
South of Fox Glacier, the road becomes even more remote. At Bruce Bay, travellers leave messages written on white stones along the beach. Knights Point lookout gives a sweeping view over the rugged coast, and Ship Creek has two short walks, one through swamp forest of kahikatea and one over coastal dunes, with a viewing tower over the beach.
What tours and experiences are available along this route?
- Glacier heli-hikes. A helicopter flight lands high on Franz Josef or Fox Glacier for a guided walk among ice caves, crevasses and blue ice formations. It is the best way to experience the glaciers up close.
- Scenic flights with snow landings. Helicopter and ski-plane flights circle Aoraki/Mount Cook and land on the snowfields at the top of the glaciers.
- Skydiving over the glaciers, rainforest and coast.
- Glacier hot pools in Franz Josef, set in the rainforest.
- Kiwi encounters at the Franz Josef wildlife centre and night kiwi-spotting tours at Ōkārito.
- Kayaking on Ōkārito Lagoon and the lakes near Franz Josef.
- Pounamu carving workshops in Hokitika, where you can carve your own greenstone pendant.
- Treetop walkway near Lake Mahinapua, a steel walkway through the rainforest canopy.
Where can you stay overnight on this route?
- Holiday parks in Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Haast have full facilities.
- DOC campsites at lakes such as Lake Mahinapua, Lake Ianthe and Lake Paringa offer beautiful lakeside settings with simple facilities.
- Ōkārito has a small community campground beside the lagoon.
- Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some spots on the West Coast where permitted; rules vary, so check locally. See our freedom camping guide.
Be prepared for sandflies on the West Coast. These tiny biting insects are especially active near water and at dawn and dusk. Insect repellent and screens on the motorhome windows make a big difference.
What are the driving conditions like?
The road is sealed throughout, but it winds through hills and rainforest and crosses dozens of one-lane bridges, some of them long. At one-lane bridges, signs show which direction has priority; slow down and give way when required.
Heavy rain is common and can cause surface flooding or, occasionally, slips that close the road for a time. Check road conditions in heavy weather. Distances between towns are long in South Westland, and mobile coverage is patchy.
Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?
Hokitika has the best supermarkets and services on this leg; stock up there. Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Haast have fuel and smaller stores, and services are scarce between Fox Glacier and Haast. Fill up when you can, and plan dump station stops at Hokitika, the glacier towns and holiday parks. See our dump stations and water guide.
How long should you spend on this route?
- Day 1: Hokitika, Hokitika Gorge and Lake Mahinapua.
- Day 2: Hokitika to Franz Josef, around 135 km, via Ross and Ōkārito. Evening hot pools.
- Day 3: Heli-hike or scenic flight, then on to Fox Glacier, around 25 km, and Lake Matheson at sunset.
- Day 4: Lake Matheson at dawn, then Fox Glacier to Haast, around 120 km, via Knights Point and Ship Creek.
Is the West Coast too wet for an RV trip?
Not if you plan for it. Rain is frequent, but it is what keeps the rainforest green and the waterfalls running, and clear spells often follow quickly. A self-contained campervan or motorhome is ideal here, because you have a dry, warm place to wait out a shower with the kettle on.
Which routes connect to this leg?
- Arriving from Christchurch: Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth, then around 40 km south to Hokitika.
- Arriving from the north: Buller and Paparoa from Nelson via Punakaiki and Greymouth.
- Next: the Haast Pass from Haast to Wānaka.
This leg features in our South Island 10-day loop, South Island in 14 days and Auckland to Christchurch in 21 days itineraries.
Start your South Island trip from Christchurch
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Frequently Asked Questions
Franz Josef is around 135 km south of Hokitika, about 1 hour 50 minutes of driving without stops.
Haast is around 120 km south of Fox Glacier, about 1 hour 50 minutes of driving, through some of the most remote country on the West Coast.
Walks lead up both glacier valleys towards the ice, with the closest viewpoints depending on conditions. To walk on the glaciers themselves, take a guided heli-hike.
A guided heli-hike or a scenic flight with a snow landing gives the closest and most spectacular experience of the glaciers. The valley walks and Lake Matheson offer free views from the ground.
Lake Matheson, around 6 km from Fox Glacier township, is famous for reflecting Aoraki/Mount Cook and Aoraki/Mount Tasman on still mornings. The walk around the lake takes about 1.5 hours.
Yes. State Highway 6 is sealed throughout and well used by motorhomes, though it winds through hills and crosses many one-lane bridges. Allow extra time and check conditions in heavy rain.
Yes. Sandflies are common on the West Coast, especially near water and at dawn and dusk. Use insect repellent and keep motorhome screens closed.
Allow three to four days between Hokitika and Haast to include Hokitika Gorge, Ōkārito, a glacier experience at Franz Josef or Fox, and Lake Matheson.