"I went for glacier trekking around Franz Josef (and nearby Fox) and it absolutely lives up to the hype; because the glaciers have receded, glacier caves and walks are closed and the only way to trek on them now is via heli-hike (epic half- or full-day experiences, tours start at ~695 NZD), which is pricey but in my opinion worth it for the helicopter ride and trekking. You can also opt for a shorter helicopter-only tour (~447 NZD) or simply hike to the glacier face and photograph it from a distance, but whatever you choose, this area is unmissable on a South Island route." - Matthew Kepnes