New Zealand is the home to some incredible landscapes, especially if you’re driving the highway from Wanaka to Franz Josef; starting in Lake Wanaka there are plenty of amazing waterfalls and forests to see. The beautiful lake side town boasts a ton of amazing views and sceneries to bask in. From something as easy as walking to the Wanaka Tree, or really pushing your limits and hiking Roys Peak. But since this is a guide on the best short stops to see on the road from Wanaka to Franz Josef, I’ll leave the main Wanaka activities to another post.

I’ve wanted to do a road trip from Wanaka to Franz Josef since my first time in Queenstown in 2018, the West Coast of New Zealand is wild and wonderful, and so untouched by humans. Beware of the weather though, the West Coast is well known for having heavy downpours of rain that have wiped out several bridges in the past.

All the below locations are pin pointed on Google Maps and are all well sign posted along state highway 6, but I will try and provide the nearest location or landmark so you don’t miss your stop.

Driving from Wanaka to Franz Josef

The drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef will take you around 3.5hours, and this is not taking into account any of these beautiful sights and sceneries you will no doubt stop at along the way. Make sure to take regular breaks and stop of for lunch when you can, the drive can get a bit tiresome at some points and the roads don’t have a lot of forgiveness when it comes to making mistakes, especially if a logging truck is flying towards you.

Wanaka is the last main town where you can get any food or travelling supplies, the towns between Wanaka and Franz Josef may only have a small café or corner store open if you’re lucky. If you’re needing to grab any lunch or food for the road do so before you leave Wanaka, otherwise you will be left with a very hungry drive ahead of you.

New Zealands West Coast Climate

The west coast of the south island is one of the coldest and wettest regions in New Zealand. At lower elevations rainfall can reach anywhere between 2,000mm and 3,000mm of rain annually, and higher elevations can exceed 10,000mm annually. So in saying that; pack a jacket, a scarf and some gloves because you’re in for a chilly couple of days and nights.

Towns from Wanaka to Franz Josef

Makarora, Haast and Fox Glacier are the only 3 towns between Wanaka and Franz Josef. However unless you have accommodation booked in Makarora you wont be stopping in a town until you get to Haast. Haast is the first place that has a proper cafe or food outlets. So I would strongly suggest packing some light snacks and bottles of water for the drive to Franz Josef.
Fox Glacier is another great town, but again depending on what day and what time you arrive, some places might be closed.

Wanaka

Wanaka is a beautiful summer or winter destination in New Zealand’s south island, sitting on the edge of Lake Wanaka there are plenty of water and boating activities all year round, multi day hikes or half day bush walks. Visit the Wanaka tree for a bit of a laugh at a spindly tree growing out of Lake Wanaka then wonder through the streets and sit yourself at a lake front pub for the rest of the afternoon.

Things to do Between Wanaka and Franz Josef

Lake Wanaka Lookout

Location: State highway 6, after ‘The Neck’ observation point.

Lake Wanaka is one of many beautiful stops if you’re starting in Wanaka and driving to Franz Josef; There are plenty of places to stop along Lake Wanaka for a photo opportunity along state highway 6. Just pay attention to the signs, the road between Wanaka and Blue Pools Hiking trail can be very narrow and windy at sections so there are designated stopping areas but there are also sections of the highway where stopping is prohibited. Even if you do see what looks like a stopping bay, they are there for emergencies only. Otherwise the view from the passenger seat offers a just as good experience.

Hike Blue Pools Track

Length: 3km Return
Fitness Level: Easy
Location: Opposite Cameron Flat campsite in Makarora
10/10 Highly Recommend!

This south island bush walk is my all time favorite short hike. The Blue Pools hiking track is easy enough for all ages to take part in, but needs enough effort that makes the views at the end are incredibly rewarding. The Blue Pools hiking trail get their name from the very cold, blue glacier water that comes rushing down from the mountains above, where the almost lake size pond ranges in colours from turquoise to deep blue depending on the time of year you visit.

The swing bridges across the Blue Pools add a small adrenaline rush to the hiking trail and the bush canopy provides enough shelter from the sun if you decide to hike Blue Pools on a summers day. You can read more on Blue Pools Track here if you’re keen on a mini adventure on your way to Franz Josef.

Even if you don’t have time for the Blue Pools Hike, the carpark has amazing views that stretch across to Mt Cook. If you’re there for either sunrise or sunset you’ll witness an amazing glow passing across Aoraki/Mt Cook. It’s a great opportunity if you’re a budding photographer wanting to capture some also photos of New Zealand’s south island.

Hike Haast Pass Lookout

Length: 1.5km Return
Fitness Level: Moderate
Location: 9.9km north of Blue Pools Track

Haast Pass lookout was an unexpected workout. This west coast bush walking track is a moderate steep hike to the top with very few flat sections in between. A good pair of walking shoes and a bottle of water are needed for this hiking track and a light jacket and gloves depending on the time of the year. The views from the top are lovely, especially if the surrounding mountains are dusted with snow. But I wouldn’t feel too bad if you can’t make time for this hike, I found the forestry on the track more beautiful than the view from the top anyway. So it would be a good place for a lunch break to stretch your legs and maybe some photos.

Fantail Falls

Length: 200m Return.
Fitness Level: Easy
Location: 85km north of Wanaka

Fantail Falls is another great place to stop and stretch your legs. The path to the falls is located back near the entrance to the carpark. We entered through another opening in the bush so were initially a bit confused as to where the falls were, but it’s well sign posted so if you haven’t seen any signs for the falls then you’re going the wrong way.

Fantail falls also marks the beginning of the track for the Brewster Hut hike. Brewster hut is not a hike you can do last minute and one that you need to be prepared for, so don’t go thinking that just because ‘you’re in the area’, you should start the steep ascent to Brewster hut.

Thunder Creek Falls

Length: 200m Return
Fitness Level: Easy
Location: 52km Inland from Haast

Prior to reaching Thunder Creek falls (if you’re heading west/north), you’ll drive over a section of the Haast River called “Gates of Haast”. The short bridge takes you have the rapid river that stretches down towards Thunder Creek falls, another great opportunity for some photos.

Thunder Creek Falls is, in my opinion, the best waterfall sitting between Wanaka to Franz Josef. The flat and sealed track leads you through a light canopy of forestry before reaching a wooden viewing point that looks out over to Thunder Creek Falls.

Haast River Viewpoint

A quick stop on the side of the road
Fitness Level: Easy

To be honest the next few stops we flew straight past because we needed to get to Franz Josef with enough time to explore the town and have dinner before the sun set. But regardless I shall share the next few nature stops because why not, just because we skipped them doesn’t mean they are any less interesting than the first 5 stop between Wanaka and Franz Josef.

Roaring Billy Falls

Length: 1km Return
Fitness Level: Easy
Location: 30km south of Haast township

Roaring Billy Falls is another waterfall that leads you through nature bushland before you can witness the fresh water cascading down into the Haast River below. This west coast waterfall gets its name from the huge boulders that the glacial water tumbles down before it reaches the river. I’m not sure if you can reach the bottom of the waterfall by foot, but I wouldn’t be clambering into the Haast river ‘willy nilly’.

Depot Creek Falls

Length: 5 minute walk
Fitness Level: Easy

Another amazing waterfall as per Googles recommendations. An easy walk through the bush along the side of the highway and you’ll find yourself at Depot Creek Falls. The pictures on Google make the waterfall a sight worth seeing, but don’t get it confused with the Depot Creek Falls in USA which sit at 295 metres tall. I’m pretty sure Depot Creek on New Zealands West Coast is a bit smaller than the previous waterfalls I’ve just listed.

Lake Matheson

Length: 4.4km Loop
Fitness Level: Easy
Location: Fox Glacier Town
Highly Recommended!

This is the one stop we regret not making, or even driving back to Fox Glacier to experience. Lake Matheson is a glacial lake which provides mirror like views from the surrounding mountain ranges and Aoraki/Mt Cook. The drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef might be long, and at times a little tedious but finishing your journey with a stroll around Lake Matheson makes the long journey worth it. I’ve seen some amazing pictures of the lake from either dusk or dawn, with low lying fog that would just make the perfect picture to frame on your wall at home.

The drive from Lake Wanaka to Franz Josef doesn’t have to be a road trip where the only bit of fun is counting how many dead possums you see on the road. The journey is part of the experience and fun, leave early and take your time to explore part of New Zealand’s natural beauty; from Blue Pools to waterfalls you’ll find that the holiday isn’t only about the destination.

If you want more information on New Zealand’s natural landscape or more ideas for walking and hiking tracks then check out the Department of Conservations website. This is where you can find all the to-date information on local walking tracks, their status (open or closed), and any information relating to wildlife and fauna that may be of use to you.

Franz Josef

This is where you can finally park up your car and cosy in for the night. Grab yourself a mulled wine from any of the pubs along the main road and check out the tourist attractions while in town.

Is Franz Josef worth visiting?

This is a question asked quite a lot, because Franz Josef is a small town sitting on the west coast of the south island and the nearest larger town of Hokitika is a further 1.5hrs north it is easy to question the necessity to visit such a remote location. But the remoteness is the exact reason why you should visit Franz Josef. The coast line that stretches across Franz Josef is incredible with rolling waves crashing onto the beaches. The national park the engulfs Franz Josef is heaving with bush tracks and hikes, which makes Franz Josef an adventurers dream.

Heli Hike Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier is the wholly grail of tourist attractions on the south islands west coast. Unfortunately the glacier has receded exponentially in the last 20-30 years and the only way you can get up close and personal with the glacier is via a short helicopter ride. We visited The Helicopter Line in Franz Josef and got a spot on a flight the next day.

We spent about an hour hiking around on Franz Josef Glacier, walking between newly formed crevasses, drinking the glacier water and even licking the ice (or maybe that was just me). The view from above was amazing and the hike really brought the light how bad our global warming pandemic has gotten. Franz Josef glacier use to stretch down to the road below, but now the closest you’ll get to touching it is through a rather expensive helicopter ride.