Survey the skies before embarking on the short, steep walk to the top of Sentinel Rock: the lookout reveals either impressive views of the glacier valley, flanked by Mt Roon (2233m) and Bismarck Peak (2545m), or a mysterious panorama obscured by mist and cloud. It's a 20-minute return walk from the glacier car park, 5km south of Franz Josef township.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Peters Pool

0.39 MILES

Formed by centuries of glacial meltwater, this dainty kettle lake girded by native rainforest is an easy 1km-return walk from the main glacier car park…

2. West Coast Wildlife Centre

2.68 MILES

The purpose of this feel-good attraction is breeding two of the world's rarest kiwi – the rowi and the Haast tokoeka. As well as a chance to hang out with…

3. Fox Glacier Lookout

7.7 MILES

On a clear day, this is one of the best land-based positions from which to see Fox Glacier (though its retreat may mean you see just a snippet).

4. Lake Matheson

10.31 MILES

On a good day, the famous 'mirror lake' reflects extraordinary views of distant Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in its forest-shaded waters. The best time to…

5. Peak Viewpoint

12.89 MILES

It's a very long way from the actual glacier, but this parking area provides a surprisingly good view over fields to Fox Glacier (weather permitting)…

6. Andris Apse Okarito Gallery

13.89 MILES

Okarito is home to world-class landscape photographer Andris Apse. His precisely composed gallery showcases his beautiful works, which are printed on-site…

7. Petr Hlavacek Gallery

14.85 MILES

Admire the gallery space of Czech-born local Petr Hlavacek, regarded by many as one of NZ's finest landscape photographers, and buy a print if you're…

8. Tasman Glacier

16.41 MILES

At 27km long and up to 4km wide, the Tasman is the largest of NZ's glaciers, but it's melting fast, losing hundreds of metres of length each year. It is…