Cruise & Rainforest Walk at Franz Josef Glacier: Exclusive Rainforest Trail Access

Experience privileged entry to our secluded rainforest path, reachable solely by boat! The rainforest path ventures through a Kiwi Conservation area and some of Westland’s most pristine, untouched rainforest.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Franz Josef Highway - Embark on a journey across the lake and gain exclusive access to a private rainforest trail within the Kiwi Sanctuary. Step off the boat and enter a world like no other! Discover Westland’s ancient, Jurassic-like rainforest and encounter fascinating native birdlife. This is our premium cruise, perfect for all ages.
    Difficulty…
What's Included
  • Tea and coffee
Location
30 Main Road
Main Road
Please check-in at our office 15 minutes prior to your trip departure time. We are located in the building next to The Landing Restaurant.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(71 Ratings)
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Saraplanton
Mar 11, 2025
This tour goes rain or... - This tour goes rain or shine and it was raining for our tour. The rain did not take away anything! The tour was so enjoyable. Nicole is so knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest and the preservation of New Zealand. She made the experience very enjoyable. There was a fun little bird that she named Freddie who followed us on the tour😊
Review provided by Viator
T5231ysgregb
Mar 4, 2025
Absolutely sensational - Nicole was rhe best tour guide ever. She was considerate and inclusive while having a solid knowledge base to share. Love her work
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megan_g
Mar 1, 2025
Amazing even in the rain.... - Amazing even in the rain. Great guide with loads of interesting information on the area. Well worth the visit.
Review provided by Viator
Noam
Mar 1, 2025
Great tour, highly recommended! - Amazing tour! Great kayak experience, just the good amount of rowing. The real surprise was the hike, as we expected to clear our minds, but it was super informative, and we learned a lot of new things! Kurt the guide was full of knowledge, and really funny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cheryl
Feb 22, 2025
Great trip - My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We were lucky in that the sun shone on an otherwise rainy day, and the lake was like a mirror. Very knowledgeable guides and a lovely short trek through the rainfores, with a welcome hot drink at the end. It was great to be able to do this activity when all the helicopter trips had been cancelled due to low cloud.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G8266gclauraa
Dec 24, 2024
A must do in Franz Josef! - Excellent experience to learn about the plants and birds in the rainforest. Dale, our guide was superb and also taught us about the New Zealand project to eradicate preditors like rats, possumus, and feral cats so the birds and especially kiwi may have better chance for increased population. So glad I joined this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmabg
Dec 2, 2024
Beautiful and educational - Excellent little excursion before driving to Queenstown. Guide Nicole was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! Learned a lot and enjoyed the beautiful lake and little nature walk.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lizmark-13
Nov 13, 2024
Wilderness wonderland - Don't miss this tour! It had stunning scenery of the glaciers on a still lake with interesting commentary by our friendly and very knowledgeable guide, Joe. The lake cruise was so relaxing but the rainforest walk was a bit of a challenge for us, made easier by the ski poles Joe provided. So glad we did both the cruise and walk. The complimentary cup of tea onboard the boat after our walk was very welcome. Joe's enthusiasm in this environment was a joy to witness. We highly recommend this tour to all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dmhesse7760
Nov 10, 2024
Great time on the water and in the forest. Amazing scenery. - Kayaked to the rainforest in a heavy downpour. The guide made the adventure a total blast. Equipment was top notch and the views were incredible. Despite the rain storm we experienced the rainforest in its truest form. Information on the history and importance of this ancient forest was fantastic. We saw trees that were 1200 years old! Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chuck
Feb 9, 2025
Cruz company needs to better assess capability of passengers - A nice cruise, nothing superior, but it takes you to a beautiful forested island. The cruise company, however, does not adequately screen the physical capabilities of the passengers, and one on our cruise was unable to walk the forest trail without assistance and without holding everyone else up. It was not fair to them nor to the group. The Cruz company needs to better screen passengers for their physical capability. Would not do this again knowing that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
March 2025
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