Fox Glacier - Definition and Overview

Ice cave in the terminal face of Fox glacier.

The Fox Glacier is a glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It was named in 1872 after a visit by the then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir William Fox. Although retreating throughout most of the last 100 years, it has been advancing since 1985 at an average of about 40cm a day. Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2,600m on its 13km journey from the Southern Alps down to the coast. Like the nearby Franz_Josef_Glacier, it is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, with its terminal face an easy 5km walk from Fox Glacier village. The outflow of the glacier forms the Fox River.

Fox Glacier village functions mainly as a service centre for tourists. It also services the local farming community.