Franz Josef

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But if you're making the long drive down the West Coast, Franz Josef or Fox Glacier are reasonable stops to avoid driving all day. The hike to the base of the glacier is nice but heavily trafficked, since it's so easy.

The town is quaint but there's not much to do. The Franz Josef Glacier looks incredible but you can't walk right up to it or pay a reasonable fee to walk on it on a tour that provides equipment. Because the glacier is quickly receding, the only way to do a tour is by taking an expensive helicopter that lands in a safer spot.

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