Photo: Franz Josef Glacier NZ Helicopter Tour Aerial Picture

An aerial view of Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park, NZ from a tour with Glacier Helicopters which allows tourists to see the steep route and beauty of the glacier landscape.

On a tour with Glacier Helicopters in Westland National Park on the South Island of NZ, the aerial view of Franz Josef Glacier is spectacular. The frozen river of thick ice weaves its way through the mountainous valleys and on any given day, it can continue its journey by three meters.The current length of the Franz Josef Glacier is approximately 12 kilometers and sits only 19 kilometers from the Tasman Sea. This glacier is one which continues to grow as it advances and retreats due to the melting process and the amount of snowfall received.The glacier brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, some which enjoy the aerial perspective while others like to hike but this requires special ice climbing equipment.Aerial view of Franz Josef Glacier during a Mount Cook Spectacular with landing flight (40 minutes) with Glacier Helicopters, Westland National Park, Westland, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.