Hostel (2 nights): NZ$54 (dorm)
Food: NZ$14.28
Bus: NZ$4.99 (Franz Josef & gt;Nelson)
Shuttle bus : NZ$12.50 (Hostel & gt;Glacier return)
7) Franz Josef > Nelson (Bus)
My 7th bus ride (InterCity) departing Franz Josef Bus Stop, Main Road to Nelson , Outside Travel Centre 27, Bridge St (09.15>19.30) - 462km. However, all the InterCity buses pick & drop off passengers right in front of Tasman Bay Backpackers, the hostel I stayed for a night - so a great convenience especially for people arriving late at night in Nelson town ! For tourists who took on this bus route, the bus made several stopovers in Hokitika, Greymouth, Punakaiki & Paparoa National Park, Westport & Murchison before arriving Nelson, a 10 hr bus journey. A number of tourists chose to take the Tranz-Apine trains from Greymouth to Christchurch and then fly out from Christchurch airport to their home destination.
I stayed for 2 nights in Franz Josef just to see glacier - it was drizzling most of the time in Franz Josef but I was fortunate to visit the Glacier first thing in the morning before the rain got heavier !
Greymouth, South Island, NZ
Greymouth, South Island, NZ
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| Greymouth Train Station |
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| Tranz Alpine train leaving Greymouth > Christchurch |
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| Greymouth train station |
Punakaiki & Paparoa National Park, South Island, NZ
West Port, South Island, NZ
Murchison town, South Island, NZ
Intercity bus route from Queenstown to Franz Josef:
1) Haast Village, South Island, NZ - a brief bus stop on our way to Fox & Franz Josef Glacier
2) Fox Glacier town, South Island, NZ - 25 mins from Franz Josef, both places are frequented by tourists & taking helicopter rides to view the glacier peaks. Check out the daily weather forecast before you start the glacier walk or taking a helicopter flight !
3) Franz Josef Town
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| Clear Blue Sky at 07.00 as viewed from Franz Josef town |
4) Walking Trail From Franz Josef Town to Glacier Car Park - about 5km or NZ$12.50 for a shuttle bus ride & return.
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| From the town centre, heads towards this bridge and follow the sign |
5) Franz Josef Glacier Point, South Island, NZ
6) Peter's Pool, Franz Josef Glacier - 1.1km walk from the Glacier's Car Park
7) YHA Franz Josef
8) InterCity Bus Stop - Station Building, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka & Greymouth Train Station - A 3 in 1 small travel tale which brightened up my visit to Franz Josef Glacier
InterCity bus from Queenstown > Franz Josef > Greymouth - A small travel tale narrating my encounter with a pair of travelers, Claire Wong & her father from Hong Kong, we were together in the same bus routes starting from Queenstown to Franz Josef and parted our ways in Greymouth - I was able to hone my skills in conversing the Malaysian Cantonese Vs the Hong Kong Cantonese with Claire's father (both of us were in our 60's age group) on many topics concerning the current social & political affairs of our countries during the two bus rides. Being able to speak in Cantonese dialect in a western country was really an ice breaker for three of us as though we were now in a familiar territory closer to home ! Birds of a feather flock together ! In the evening Claire displayed her culinary skills and together three of us had a home cooked delicious western meal at Terrace Motel where both of them stayed ! What an evening to remember in this far away town of South Island - all of us had an common interest to get as close as possible to get a view of the Franz Josef glacier - this breathtaking scenery may be gone in a not too distance future due to a dramatic change in global warming ! We parted ways in Greymouth, Claire and her dad taking a connecting train to Christchurch and I continued my bus ride to Nelson for an overnight stay. On arrival in Greymouth, we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes and said goodbye to one another - leaving behind a fond memory for years to come .... To all the fellow travelers whom I met or acquainted along the way, I sincerely like to wish them all a Bon Voyage and a safe journey home !
8) InterCity Bus Stop - Station Building, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka & Greymouth Train Station - A 3 in 1 small travel tale which brightened up my visit to Franz Josef Glacier
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| Claire/Dad & myself waited for our bus in this building |
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| We extended our hands, exchanged our pleasantries during the bus trips |
InterCity bus from Queenstown > Franz Josef > Greymouth - A small travel tale narrating my encounter with a pair of travelers, Claire Wong & her father from Hong Kong, we were together in the same bus routes starting from Queenstown to Franz Josef and parted our ways in Greymouth - I was able to hone my skills in conversing the Malaysian Cantonese Vs the Hong Kong Cantonese with Claire's father (both of us were in our 60's age group) on many topics concerning the current social & political affairs of our countries during the two bus rides. Being able to speak in Cantonese dialect in a western country was really an ice breaker for three of us as though we were now in a familiar territory closer to home ! Birds of a feather flock together ! In the evening Claire displayed her culinary skills and together three of us had a home cooked delicious western meal at Terrace Motel where both of them stayed ! What an evening to remember in this far away town of South Island - all of us had an common interest to get as close as possible to get a view of the Franz Josef glacier - this breathtaking scenery may be gone in a not too distance future due to a dramatic change in global warming ! We parted ways in Greymouth, Claire and her dad taking a connecting train to Christchurch and I continued my bus ride to Nelson for an overnight stay. On arrival in Greymouth, we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes and said goodbye to one another - leaving behind a fond memory for years to come .... To all the fellow travelers whom I met or acquainted along the way, I sincerely like to wish them all a Bon Voyage and a safe journey home !
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| Greymouth train station - Claire departing for Christchurch |
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| Picture taken at the beautiful Lake Wanaka, South Island |
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| A guided tour to Franz Josef Glacier in proper attire |
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| A briefing in preparation for the Glacier walk |
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| Wow! Claire's home cooked NZ beef steak - HK style & dad, a keen helper |
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| A cosy bedroom for 2-3 persons |
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| A sofa set & a kitchen with full facilities |
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| Terrace Motel in Franz Josef - located off the Main Road |
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| A group picture taken at a small town not far from Greymouth |
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| Claire/dad walking to Greymouth train station bounds for Christchurch |
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