Fox Glacier is one of the highlights of the South Island of New Zealand. Situated in the Southern Alps on in the West Coast, this glacier is one of the most accessible on earth and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Near to the glacier, the Fox Glacier township has grown to meet the demands of this influx and interest. The township is mostly comprised of hotels, motels and other visitor accommodation. 

Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2,600m on its 13km journey from the Southern Alps down to the coast, with it having the distinction of being one of the few glaciers to end among lush rainforest only 300 metres above sea level. Although retreating throughout most of the last 100 years, it has been advancing since 1985. In 2006 the average rate of advance was about a metre a week