Terrace Walk

Terrace Walk

About
This easy walk winds a short way along the bush-clad terraces at the south end of the village. There is no access beyond the bridge due to a slip and you will need to return the way you came. Take a torch and explore this walk at night to see glow-worms in the forest, especially under and around large fallen trees alongside the track. Getting there The walk starts off State Highway 6, at the southern end of Franz Josef village near the 'Our Lady of the Alps' church on the left hand side of the road heading south towards Fox Glacier. The track entrance has a very small parking area, but there is plenty of parking in town just a short walk away.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles28 reviews
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14
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7
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6
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claricuchi
Buenos Aires, Argentina1,131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
We had paid to see the Waitomo caves and seeing this without any need other than waiting for nightfall was a bit discouraging. taking into account the costs! It's one thing to see it in caves, it's true, but this trail at night seems to be in a story. precious. very interesting. and very close to the center of FJ.
Google
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK1,358 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
I was told there were glow worms to be seen on this path so set off when darkness fell. I just had the torch on my phone but should really have had a better beam with me as got pitch black very quickly. The path is a bit uneven with stones and steep in parts so need to take care. I ended up walking too far and thought there was nothing here but actually many glow worms can be found just a couple of minutes walk in from the road. i saw them under a large tree on my way back. hard to tak good photos but you get a good clear view when there. Also saw a possum running back up to the treetop. A pleasant way to pass an evening.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CJO193
Te Puke, New Zealand382 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021 • Couples
This was a short walk.. through the forest.. would be suited for kids as easy walking. We were expecting a bigger walk!
Written 3 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pete Y
Auckland, New Zealand762 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Family
A short walk (20 mins) to see a small river at the end of it, that you can do from town, we did during the day so didn’t see any glow worms.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathy
565 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The Terrace Walk is located at the southern end of Franz Joseph Village on State Highway 6. The trail is relatively flat until the last few meters, when it winds uphill and becomes somewhat rocky. It is a lovely walk during the daytime, with a variety of moss covered trees, ferns, and other beautiful rain forest vegetation. At night, the glowworms sparkle along the track, especially around fallen trees. Round-trip takes about 30 minutes. We walked the track during the day to scope out where we thought the glowworms might be, and then returned again at night. Hint: no need to scope it out; the glowworms are everywhere!
Written 28 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fiona Chan
Singapore, Singapore318 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Best enjoyed at night, this is a relatively easy and short trail that gives you a good chance to spot plenty of glow worms, especially when you make it to the very end. Definitely bring your torches, but turn them off or down from time to time so your eyes can get acquainted to the dark and spot them cute glow worms!
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jorit N
West Melton, New Zealand108 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Family
Nice and easy walk, the kids loved it. Saw the glow worms and a couple of possums as well. Take a a few torches!
Written 2 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CFEIII
Center, TX5,807 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Solo
There was a storm in the area a few weeks ago and most of the trails with vistas of the glacier are currently closed for repair. I took a chance on the Terrace Walk. It is short, even shorter now since there are trees down and the vista part may have bee destroyed. The walk that is there is very nice, a tunnel thru the jungle! Classic old trees that should have names! I enjoyed it, walked past half a dozen downed trees, finally talked with somebody who had been to the end looking for the overlook and advised me that it had been damaged.
Written 27 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
Middlesbrough, UK2,396 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Couples
Takes around 20-25 minutes to do the Terrace Walk and it’s well worth the effort. The terrain is a little uneven at times so wear sturdy shoes. Along the way you see lots of flora and fauna and its nature at its true best.
Written 20 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora, Thank you for your review. We appreciate any feedback received, it is imperative we find out what we could look at improving. We are glad you could enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this spot. It is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in New Zealand and got to see other equally beautiful DOC tracks around the country. Kind Regards The Westland Tai Poutini National Park Team
Written 20 June 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

dieselnator
Greenville, SC292 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Family
We went after dark to search for glow worms and we were not disappointed. We would walk a bit and then turn our lights out and wait for our eyes to adjust. Saw glow worms from a few minutes up from the trail head all the way to the first river. Did not go any further because we were able to see so many in that distance. Tip: most of the glow worms were low in the forest- from the waist down.
Written 28 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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TERRACE WALK (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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