Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
25 Rankers Reviews
5 Face-to-Face
5 4WD Adventures
7 Fresh Water Kayaking
11 Boat Cruises
4 Cron street
Maps
Photos
Information
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Explore beyond the Glaciers with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours. Join a mirror-lake Kayak Tour a Scenic Boat Tour or Fishing trip on Lake Mapourika – OR join an thrilling Off-Road Adventure Tour! The best of Franz Josef Glacier is at your fingertips…
Kayak Tours:
The Original Franz Josef kayak tour awaits you…
Glide effortlessly across the water taking in the panoramic views of the Southern Alps and Glaciers – the scenery is world-class! Follow your kayak tour guide into a hidden creek through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary and experience some of the region’s untouched Jurassic rainforest and pristine untouched wilderness.
Or join our Kayak & Walk Tour. It is your opportunity to explore some of Westland’s oldest untouched rainforest! Enjoy exclusive access to our custom-built rainforest trail within the Okarito Kiwi Conservation area. On this kayak tour you will learn about the kiwi conservation, spot native birdlife and experience the pristine wilderness of the West Coast in a truly unique and remote part of Franz Josef Glacier.
Our guides are passionate about the environment additionally delivering some excellent kayaking photos to you free after each kayak tour!
Boat Tours:
Discover Lake Mapourika the scenic gem of the West Coast! Our boat tours depart at the iconic Jetty Bay, only minutes from Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy Scenic Cruises and guided nature walks with breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and many glaciers including the Franz Josef Glacier Neve. Lake Mapourika is home to native birds including the rare White Heron, drawn by the abundance of fish and eels in the lake. Join us for a boat tour in our “office,” where the beauty of the West Coast unfolds around you.
We also offer Fishing tours Whether you’ve been trout fishing for years, or you just want to dip your toe in the water, come experience some of the best brown trout or salmon fishing on the West Coast. Set amongst a breathtaking landscape, every Franz Josef Glacier fishing charter is an opportunity to experience something truly unique.
Off Road Adventure Quad Bike tours:
Join a guided off-road adventure tour! Journey across riverbed and through the rainforest on our thrilling tracks.
Ride a quad bike or 3-seater buggy through a beautiful Jurassic rainforest, splash through rivers and explore an ancient glacier riverbed. Enjoy our incredible backdrop of the spectacular Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier as you follow your guide through our tracks.
On a sunny day enjoy some of the best views of the Franz Josef Glacier you can get from the township or get down and dirty in the puddles and the mud on a rainy day! As we like to say “the wetter the better!”…
An exciting 2 hour fully guided tour on a Quad Bike departing at various times throughout the day, all year round. We go out in all weather to ensure that you can all enjoy your holiday regardless of the weather.
The only Quad bike ride in New Zealand offering glacial views combined with the thrill of riding through rainforest, riverbeds and glorious mud on our unique tour. Arrive at an ancient terminal moraine and view outstanding panoramas of the Franz Josef Glacier and Southern Alps.
We provide all gear, wet weather jackets, trousers, gumboots, socks and gloves, safety helmets and informative guides.
Details
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Organisation |
Across Country Quad BikesCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Cron street |
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Operating Season And Hours |
All year round Kayak Classic Tour:
Kayak and Walk Tour:
Boat Tours:
Quad Bike: 7 Days - 10:30am & 1:30pm April - October
*Closed on Christmas Day |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
4WD Adventures
Fresh Water Kayaking
Boat Cruises
Reviews
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5.0/5
Pouring with rain.
Sarah ( our guide) was born to work with people! So much fun!! Sarah is professional, fun to spend time with and full of funny and informative info about the area. A MUST do in any weather, the rain though provided extra entertainment. Thanks Sarah :)
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5.0/5
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
We have done the lot... Bungy, skydive, glacier walking , jet boats... but quad biking with these guys was fantastic. They don't hold back. The terrain varies massively, from glacier river bed to deep mud in the forest to near vertical drops and climbs. Our guide Karl was friendly and enthusiastic.
Spot on!
Thanks for the comments, Karl enjoys driving the bikes as much as you do plus you guys were pretty good on the bikes so it makes our job much easier!!!
If you ever around the neighborhood, please stop in and say hi, have a great day!!
Regards
Hollie
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5.0/5
First time I''ve been quad biking but had so much fun I ended up going again elsewhere in NZ.
The terrain was really varied and challenging and our Guide Hollie was great company, really friendly and full of cool facts about Franz Josef. She also did a great job of teaching us how to ride the bikes and kept us safe. Then on the trip back through the forest we stopped for a snack and a hot drink and learnt a bit more about the native bush. A very cool way to blow an afternoon.
Hey Nathan
You we've got the natural instinct of driving quads, boys and toys....it was easy for me to teach you how to ride them and I'm glad you enjoyed the tour, hope to see you again one day!!!
Kind regards
Hollie
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5.0/5
We did the quad bike experience with Jonathon and Hollie.
They were great. Kept us safe and we had a ball. I went on the back with hubby who thoroughly enjoyed the bit of water we had to go through. A definite return experience next time we visit nz.
Hey guys, thanks for the great respond, I'm sure your hubby enjoyed the water bit, he was the one that splashed me too eh'?! Lol....
Will be delighted to host you guys next time round, enjoy your day and spread the word.
Warm regards
Hollie
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5.0/5
Johnathan was our guide.He gave clear instructions and made the whole experience fun!!
Two hours over various terrain.Can throughly recommend this experience.
Thanks Johnathan
Thanks for coming out with us, Jonathon loves going out on trips, boys and toys eh'!
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5.0/5
I took a personalised tour with Hollie prior to Easter.
Even though it wasn't a large group this meant I had the benefit of 1 on 1 training. The terrain was quite diverse and the forest was beautiful, as were the views looking back over the glaciers. A spur of the moment decision to go quad biking, it was a memorable experience for all the right reasons and would do it again had I had the chance.
Awesome, thanks for that feed back, personalizes tour are always great, 1 on 1 fully is the way forward, hope you will come back again and I can show you a different route, had even a swimmer last week on my trip, in case you would like a swim in the river.....i will show you the way!, regards Hollie
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5.0/5
It was really fun and awesome.our instructor Holly was super and took us thrugh some memmoroble experiances in the rain.the quad bikes were very powerful and i have never had a better expereance.
Hey Amaan!
Wow, thanks for the great feedback!! I hope to be able to come and visit India again one day, I really do miss Masala Dosa, enjoy the rest of your holiday and please spread the words! Kind regards Hollie : )
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5.0/5
Franz Josef quad biking was one of the highlights of our NZ, south island, adventure holiday.
Our guide, Hollie, was full of life and informative, making the trip ultra fun and interesting. The scenery was incredible in its diversity and the sense of freedom something to remember. Definately a memorable experience!
Cheers Hollie- we'll be back!
Hey Owen!
Thank you so much for the great feedback. So glad to hear you'll be back! I totally agree Franz Josef is unique where the glacier meets the rainforest, we truly love living here. Can't wait to see you again!
Spread the word!
Thanks from the Across Country Quad Bike team :)
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5.0/5
A amazing experience!
Everyone should do this. Easy riding. Heaps of fun and Hollie is excellent. Many thanks.
Hey Jb7!
Thank you for the great review! Glad to know other people enjoy our town and beautiful scenery as much as we do :)
Thanks from the Quad Bike team!
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5.0/5
Pouring with rain.
Sarah ( our guide) was born to work with people! So much fun!! Sarah is professional, fun to spend time with and full of funny and informative info about the area. A MUST do in any weather, the rain though provided extra entertainment. Thanks Sarah :)
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5.0/5
A amazing experience!
Everyone should do this. Easy riding. Heaps of fun and Hollie is excellent. Many thanks.
Hey Jb7!
Thank you for the great review! Glad to know other people enjoy our town and beautiful scenery as much as we do :)
Thanks from the Quad Bike team!
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5.0/5
Franz Josef quad biking was one of the highlights of our NZ, south island, adventure holiday.
Our guide, Hollie, was full of life and informative, making the trip ultra fun and interesting. The scenery was incredible in its diversity and the sense of freedom something to remember. Definately a memorable experience!
Cheers Hollie- we'll be back!
Hey Owen!
Thank you so much for the great feedback. So glad to hear you'll be back! I totally agree Franz Josef is unique where the glacier meets the rainforest, we truly love living here. Can't wait to see you again!
Spread the word!
Thanks from the Across Country Quad Bike team :)
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5.0/5
It was really fun and awesome.our instructor Holly was super and took us thrugh some memmoroble experiances in the rain.the quad bikes were very powerful and i have never had a better expereance.
Hey Amaan!
Wow, thanks for the great feedback!! I hope to be able to come and visit India again one day, I really do miss Masala Dosa, enjoy the rest of your holiday and please spread the words! Kind regards Hollie : )
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5.0/5
I took a personalised tour with Hollie prior to Easter.
Even though it wasn't a large group this meant I had the benefit of 1 on 1 training. The terrain was quite diverse and the forest was beautiful, as were the views looking back over the glaciers. A spur of the moment decision to go quad biking, it was a memorable experience for all the right reasons and would do it again had I had the chance.
Awesome, thanks for that feed back, personalizes tour are always great, 1 on 1 fully is the way forward, hope you will come back again and I can show you a different route, had even a swimmer last week on my trip, in case you would like a swim in the river.....i will show you the way!, regards Hollie
-
5.0/5
Johnathan was our guide.He gave clear instructions and made the whole experience fun!!
Two hours over various terrain.Can throughly recommend this experience.
Thanks Johnathan
Thanks for coming out with us, Jonathon loves going out on trips, boys and toys eh'!
-
5.0/5
We did the quad bike experience with Jonathon and Hollie.
They were great. Kept us safe and we had a ball. I went on the back with hubby who thoroughly enjoyed the bit of water we had to go through. A definite return experience next time we visit nz.
Hey guys, thanks for the great respond, I'm sure your hubby enjoyed the water bit, he was the one that splashed me too eh'?! Lol....
Will be delighted to host you guys next time round, enjoy your day and spread the word.
Warm regards
Hollie
-
5.0/5
First time I''ve been quad biking but had so much fun I ended up going again elsewhere in NZ.
The terrain was really varied and challenging and our Guide Hollie was great company, really friendly and full of cool facts about Franz Josef. She also did a great job of teaching us how to ride the bikes and kept us safe. Then on the trip back through the forest we stopped for a snack and a hot drink and learnt a bit more about the native bush. A very cool way to blow an afternoon.
Hey Nathan
You we've got the natural instinct of driving quads, boys and toys....it was easy for me to teach you how to ride them and I'm glad you enjoyed the tour, hope to see you again one day!!!
Kind regards
Hollie
-
5.0/5
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
We have done the lot... Bungy, skydive, glacier walking , jet boats... but quad biking with these guys was fantastic. They don't hold back. The terrain varies massively, from glacier river bed to deep mud in the forest to near vertical drops and climbs. Our guide Karl was friendly and enthusiastic.
Spot on!
Thanks for the comments, Karl enjoys driving the bikes as much as you do plus you guys were pretty good on the bikes so it makes our job much easier!!!
If you ever around the neighborhood, please stop in and say hi, have a great day!!
Regards
Hollie
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4.0/5
Had a great time.Guide was fantastic even though we got bogged several times over.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone and would do it again.Our teenage kids loved it to.
Sorry about getting stuck in the mud, it happens sometimes, makes it more exciting eh'? hopefully you got a free facial : ) and I'm glad you still enjoyed the trip!!
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4.5/5
Fun! Fun!
Fun! I’m an experienced quad driver and my wife likes to ride with me. These bikes are set-up to have 2 riders so that was great for us. They are 400cc and have plenty of power for 2 people. You can choose to ride single of course. Marc was our guide and he was lots of fun. Our trip was only 3 quads: Marc as our guide, an inexperienced couple (who were a bit timid at the onset) and us. Marc taught the other couple quickly and was able to check us out quickly as well. We went through the wide rocky riverbeds and a beautiful rainforest. We used the glacial/granite silt for an impromptu facial (just a bit more mud!) It was a warm day so we didn’t want to use the supplied jackets (waterproof boots/pants are essential!) – and we did get our tops soaked! You can go slowly through the water/mud if you prefer but we went full out and it was GREAT! If there were 7 bikes with inexperienced people I don’t know how it would have affected our experience. As it was, it was totally awesome – great fun!
Hey John
Thanks for the great feed back, it's definitely fun to go through the puddles, puts a smile on your face!
Warm regards
Hollie
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5.0/5
Only went quad biking due to cancellation of all other activities due to weather conditions but so glad I did!
Didn't want to drive so acted as 'co-pilot' for Hollie - what great fun it was. Got muddy and wet but what a fab experience, would do it again.
Hey Sgellett
Yeah its great how the bikes have two seats isn't it? Yes the wetter the better we say!
Glad you had a good time.
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team
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5.0/5
This is so much fun!
Be prepared to get very muddy and a litlle bruised. Our guide was friendly and fun with a lot of local knowledge. She took us through river beds, rainforests and muddy fields, smeared mud on our faces for a impromptu facial with river mud and took pictures for us. I would definitely recommend this :)
Hey Lyndell!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write on here and say that you would recommend us :)
Yes the mud smearing is all part of the job, who can complain about a free facial huh? Yeah its great how there's a lot of variety on our track, makes it all unique especially with the glacier in view as well.
Thanks from the Quad Bike Team!
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5.0/5
Hollie was fantastic!!
We went through ravines, mud, rainforest and volcanic rocky terrain. She certainly kept us on our toes lol = )
Supplied us with all our gear so we didn't actually get wet or muddy, their gear did!! No washing for us but she did have a little too much fun hosing us off when we got back...
She was very diligent and kept a close eye on all of us, ensuring we were all safe and having fun. It was a great experience and fun for all = ) Would certainly do again A+
Hey Elly!
Thats great to hear, Hollie is a very good guide isn't she :)
Yes the gear is quite handy isn't it!
Awesome to hear you had a great time and hopefully we will se you around again one day!
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team!
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Hey Stevens Frans!
Thank you for taking the time to write on here, much appreciated!
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team!
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4.5/5
What a blast!
We went when the water was real high so we got heaps of river and mud action. Definetly the highlight of our trip in franz josef
Hey Christina!
Thats so good to hear, were very glad you had a great time. The wetter the better huh!
Spread the word!
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team!
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5.0/5
Plenty of time to be on the bikes.
and you go through different terrains: rock, glacier maraine, rainforest, sand, and dirt roads. Going in the late afternoon meant the rivers were super high. exciting 4wd experience, you get muddy and dirty and rained on..Awesome!
Hey TomL
Yeah there's lots of awesome different terrain isn't there?
Yeah that's right the wetter the better on this trip!
Many thanks, the Quad Bike Team
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5.0/5
Fun experience even for the more mature couple.
Trina taught us well how to manage the quad bike. The magnificent scenery and information imparted made for a really memorable afternoon.
Hey Ref
That's great to hear :) we cater for everyone on this trip and we're glad you had an enjoyable time here with us.
Many thanks, the Quad Bike Team
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5.0/5
the tour was great.
the guide was very friendly, the view was amazing. nice bikes. top experiance
Hey Chris!
Thanks for the feedback always good to know our clients have had a great time!
We love the views too!
Thank you from the Quad Bike Team!
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5.0/5
Did this twice I liked it so much - once on my own bike and the other time sharing one - both awesome experiences!
Would definitely recommend as a great alternative to trekking up the glacier! Appreciated the cup of hot chocolate in the middle of our trip as well!
Hey kiwibrit86!
So glad to hear you had such a good time that you went twice! Also good to hear that the hot drink is popular. Its a beautiful place in this town that's for sure.
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team!
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Hey Eric
Thanks for the positive feedback :)
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team
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Hey Maureen
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Many thanks from the Quad Bike Team
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4.5/5
The guide was friendly and know lots about Franz.
We got to go through mud puddles and the river bed. Awesome!
Hey Holly!
Thanks for your great feedback. Yeah the mud puddles are a favorite!
Thanks again from the Quad Bike Team!
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5.0/5
I've done it three times, and each time it was a bit different, from really dusty to really muddy.
it it so much fun and the guides are really into it. and then you have the glacier in the background all the time and you drive through the rainforest....
Hey Ellie!
Wow three times! That's great that you loved it so much! Yes it's always different here on the West Coast the river is constantly changing its course making it a new experience every time :)
Thanks for taking the time to write this from the Quad Bike Team!
