This short steady climb up a now bush-covered ice-scraped rock offers the most impressive views of the glacier and the Waiho River.

Information panels at the viewpoint show dramatic photos of the glacial retreat, making it one of the best places to appreciate the power of the glacier.

Sentinel Rock emerged from beneath the glacier in 1865 and is an example of how the glacial ice ground the hard schist bedrock into a Roche moutonnee or ‘rock sheep’.

Since 1909 the glacier has retreated over 3 km and plants have progressively colonised where a veneer of rubble has been dumped over bedrock in the valley.

Car parking fees

Car parking fees apply at Franz Josef Glacier from mid-December 2025.

How to pay fees or buy a permit.

Drive or walk south a short distance from the Franz Josef Waiau township across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau.

Drive or walk for approximately 4 km to the car park at the end of the road.

Car parking fees

DOC is charging fees for car parking at Franz Josef Glacier as a pilot from mid-December 2025 to 30 June 2026. 

The fees are $5 per hour or $20 a day. If you arrive and leave within 20 minutes, parking is free. If you plan to stay for longer than 20 minutes you must pay on arrival.

Payment machines that accept debit and credit cards are highly visible at each site. Cash payments are not accepted.

Locals and other car park users can purchase an annual permit. Permits cannot be purchased at the payment machines and need to be purchased online.

How to pay fees or buy an annual permit.