Franz Josef is a small glacial village on New Zealand's South Island West Coast, sitting at the foot of the Franz Josef Glacier — one of the few glaciers in the world that descends from alpine heights almost to rainforest level. The surrounding Westland Tai Poutini National Park is genuinely dramatic: ice above, ferns and rata forest below, all within a few kilometres.
The glacier itself has retreated significantly in recent decades and access to the lower ice is now by helicopter or guided walk to the glacier viewpoint. Heli-hike tours let you land on the upper glacier and explore with crampons, which is the most popular way to experience the ice up close. Scenic flights without landing are a worthwhile alternative if you want the aerial view without the physical exertion.
The village itself is one long street of motels, cafes, and adventure-tour offices, set against a backdrop of forested mountains. Beyond the glacier, the area has a kiwi-rearing centre at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, several short walks into rainforest, and the small reflective Lake Mapourika just to the north.