Hokitika and the Disappearing Glacier

After breakfast at the bakery in Hokitika, we drove out to the impressive Hokitika Gorge to do a delightful walk through the rain forest. The abundance of life in the forest was astounding, clear evidence of just how tenacious and unstoppable the life force of nature can be.

We then returned to Hokitika for lunch by the waterside, before driving to Franz Josef. When we were in this spot 30 years ago it was possible to walk right up the valley floor to the foot of the glacier. To our dismay, we found that this is no longer possible. The combination of retreating glacier and changing river paths now mean the walk has been declared as unsafe.

We did walk to the limit of the " viewing area" only to see ---- nothing. Well that is not really correct. It is still quite a dramatic and wild scene, but as for the glacier, it was not visible at all. Apparently if you want to see it now, a helicopter flight is the best option.

Maybe we will have better luck with the Fox Glacier tomorrow.Read more