From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay
A three-day drive on SH6 from the glacier valleys to the southern West Coast, over Haast Pass to Otago.
- Distance
- 306 km (190 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 20 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 7, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 306 km (190 mi) with 11 stops, from Franz Josef to Haast Pass (Tioripatea). About 3 h 20 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Franz Josef is about 150 km from Greymouth on SH6, with a village of holiday parks, cafes and a fuel station. Lake Mapourika lies 10 km north, and the road to Okarito leaves SH6 south of Whataroa. The valley walk to the glacier viewpoint takes around an hour; check DOC notices for track closures and stay behind barriers. The glacier car parks are sealed, and guided ice walks need booking in advance.
Fox Glacier is 25 km south, a small village with a fuel station and a few cafes. Lake Matheson is best at dawn for reflections of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The Fox Glacier Valley Walk changes with river floods and rockfall. Weather in this area is wet, and roads can be briefly closed after heavy rain. Both villages have limited accommodation in summer, so reserve campsites and holiday parks early.
From Fox Glacier to Haast is about 120 km with no towns and only a few stops. Fill up before leaving, as fuel is rare. Knights Point has a lookout, and the road passes through bush and over single-lane bridges; slow for oncoming traffic and keep to the left. Allow around two hours of driving. Rest areas are scattered along the road, and mobile coverage is poor between the villages.
At Haast, SH6 turns inland over Haast Pass to Wānaka, about 145 km, with waterfalls and short walks. Jackson Bay lies 50 km south-west on a dead-end road; do it as a day trip, with sandfly repellent. Freedom camping rules apply; use DOC campsites or holiday parks, and book summer places in advance. Coverage is poor on the pass, so tell someone your plans and check the weather beforehand.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Franz Josef
New Zealand - 28 km
Lake Mapourika
NatureFranz Josef, New ZealandA forest-fringed lake beside SH6 with a boat ramp, a small beach and a short walk to a quiet shore. It makes a calm alternative to the glacier crowds, with views across to the ranges on clear days.
- 315 km
Okarito Lagoon
NatureFranz Josef, New ZealandA tiny coastal settlement beside New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland, home to white herons in spring. Short tracks lead to the beach and trig lookout, and a small camping ground is in the settlement. The side road from SH6 is sealed but 13 km long.
- 432 km
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk
NatureFranz Josef, New ZealandA flat walk of about an hour return up a glacial valley to a viewpoint of the glacier face. Track conditions and the viewpoint position change with rockfall and floods, so check the DOC notice at the car park and stay behind barriers.
- 516 km
Fox Glacier
New Zealand - 65 km
Lake Matheson
ViewsFox Glacier, New ZealandA forest-ringed lake where Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman are reflected on still mornings, reached by a 90-minute loop. Walk at dawn or dusk for calm water; the car park fills by mid-morning and a cafe sits at the start.
- 78 km
Fox Glacier Valley Walk
NatureFox Glacier, New ZealandA walk across a boulder-strewn valley to a viewpoint below the terminus of Fox Glacier, which has retreated in recent decades. The route changes with flooding and rockfall, so check the current track status with DOC and keep to the marked track.
- 875 km
Knights Point Lookout
ViewsHaast, New ZealandA roadside lookout on SH6 between Fox Glacier and Haast, with a long view along a rocky coast. A short track leads down to the shore. It marks the completion of the highway in 1965, and is a good rest stop on a long drive.
- 933 km
Haast
New Zealand - 1042 km
Jackson Bay (Okahu)
ViewsHaast, New ZealandThe road ends 50 km south-west of Haast at a small fishing settlement facing the Tasman Sea, with a wharf and a seafood caravan. Check fuel before driving down, as there are no petrol stations beyond Haast. Sandflies are bad in calm weather.
- 1172 km
Haast Pass (Tioripatea)
ViewsHaast, New ZealandThe 563-metre pass connects the West Coast to Otago, passing waterfalls and short walks along the Haast River. Allow time for stops at Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls. The road is narrow with some one-lane bridges, so take care in rain.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Franz Josef → Fox Glacier Valley Walk · 83 km · 0 h 55 minOn the way: Lake Mapourika, Okarito Lagoon, Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson.
- Day 2: Fox Glacier Valley Walk → Haast · 108 km · 1 h 11 minOn the way: Knights Point Lookout.
- Day 3: Haast → Haast Pass (Tioripatea) · 114 km · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Jackson Bay (Okahu).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January, May and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay?
3-day road trip of about 306 km (190 mi) with 11 stops, from Franz Josef to Haast Pass (Tioripatea). About 3 h 20 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 20 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay start and end?
It starts in Franz Josef and ends in Haast Pass (Tioripatea).
Which states does From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay?
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January, May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
