Back
New Zealand is known to have some of the most approachable glaciers on the planet. Both the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers on the country's South Island are spectacular destinations in their own right. However, for our purposes today, we'll be focusing on what the Maori call Te Moeka o Tuawe—Fox Glacier. And we won't just be walking out onto the thick ice. Instead, we'll be diving in from above!
Just two hours south of Hokitika on the Harihari Highway is Fox Glacier, a village nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps and just a three-mile hike to the river of ice that is its namesake. When we say hike, we really mean it. You can walk right up to the terminal face of the glacier and be back in town to enjoy a selection of cafes and pubs before sunset.
But, come on…this is New Zealand we're talking about. If you're taking a locum tenens assignment with the Kiwis, you'll be looking for something far more adventurous than a hike. Say, for instance, jumping out of an aircraft at 12,000 feet!
New Zealand is a haven for fans of extreme sports. Skydiving is, perhaps, one of the most extreme of them all. But take heart, because the pros at Fox Glacier know what they're doing, and it's arguably the best drop zone on Earth. Off Track Planet ranks Fox Glacier as the second best jump in the world. The Travel Channel is even more bullish, slotting it in at No. 1.
Tai Poutini National Park, the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps are all worthy of exploration. For a real-deal New Zealand experience though, consider kicking off your South Island adventure with a bird's-eye view (and five-minute free fall!) over the peerless Fox Glacier.