Last summer was good for business in Fox Glacier.
A ghost town – that’s what Fox Glacier residents feared their town would become after access to their main tourist attraction was severed four years ago.
In March 2019, a major landslide destroyed the road to the glacier.
Less than six months later, locals were told it wouldn’t be reopening and the government was stepping in to help fund alternative attractions.
Cafe Nevé owner François Goosen was not feeling confident about the town’s future in the early aftermath of the closure.
Last summer was good for business, and the town has been ticking over and preparing for the next wave of visitors to come later this year.
He remained optimistic about a proposed scenic cycle and walking trail linking Fox Glacier and Franz Josef.
Fox Glacier Guiding chief executive Rob Jewell has also been feeling optimistic.
The government has helped out with close to $4 million from the International Visitor Tourism and Conservation Levy.
The money’s been used to build walking and cycling trails up the south side of the glacier, invest in different attractions like a new trail from the township to Lake Matheson, as well as a new day walk to Lake Gault.
