Christmas Lookout

Christmas Lookout is an intermediate viewpoint on the steep Alex Knob Track above Franz Josef/Waiau. It’s a good place to pause on the climb to Alex Knob, with a view of Franz Josef Glacier when the sky clears. Allow about three hours uphill from the track start: DOC estimates two hours to Rata Lookout, then another hour here. The full Alex Knob out-and-back is an advanced 17.2 km hike that DOC rates at eight hours. Start early; afternoon cloud commonly hides the glacier.

From Franz Josef/Waiau, cross Waiho Bridge, turn left onto the glacier access road and continue about 2 km to the signposted Alex Knob Track start by the Alex Knob/Wombat car park. Christmas Lookout is reached on foot, not from the road. There’s no water source along the track, so bring enough for the long climb and return. Dogs aren’t allowed.

The lower track climbs through rimu, rata and kamahi forest. Higher up, DOC describes a change to subalpine New Zealand cedar and tree daisies, then open alpine meadows and herb fields farther along the route. Listen for tūī, bellbird and kererū; they’re regularly heard along the track. Kākā and parakeets are less common, while kea and pipit may occur on the higher sections.

The view from Christmas Lookout is higher and more open than the one at Rata Lookout, with the glacier filling the valley beneath the snowy peaks. It’s a photo stop when visibility is good: a wide frame takes in the ice, steep valley walls and mature native trees; a tighter view brings out the broken glacier surface. The glacier can disappear into afternoon cloud, so give the walk an early start if the panorama is your reason for coming.

Snow is likely above Christmas Lookout in winter. DOC advises inexperienced alpine walkers not to continue beyond the snowline; the lookout can be a natural place to turn back when snow lies higher on the track. Check conditions before setting out.