Roberts Point Lookout

Overview

Roberts Point Lookout is the big-payoff view above Franz Josef Glacier: a high platform staring at ice, waterfalls, and sheer rock walls. Getting there is half the fun—this isn’t a roadside peek but a proper tramping adventure that earns its views.

What You’ll See

From the platform, you’ll look straight across to the glacier and the steep, ice-carved valley. On the way, expect lush rainforest, cascades, and dramatic crossings—suspension bridges and the historic Hende’s Gallery bolted into the cliff.

The Route (out-and-back)

• Start at Franz Josef Glacier car park and follow the easy Douglas Walk to Douglas Bridge.
• Beyond the bridge, the Roberts Point Track turns rough: roots, wet rock slabs, and several unbridged side streams (including Hugh Creek).
• Pass Hende’s Hut (a historic lunch shelter only), traverse Hende’s Gallery, cross a high bridge over Rope Creek, then climb steadily to the lookout platform. The track is about 12.3 km return and typically takes 5–6 hours.

Safety First

This is a dynamic landscape with steep drop-offs and real hazards—several fatalities have occurred. Rock slabs become treacherous when wet or icy, and side streams can turn uncrossable fast. Stay on the marked track and viewing platform, and never attempt to cross the Waiho River without a bridge. Good fitness and grippy boots are essential; carry warm, waterproof layers, food, and water.

A Bit of History

The route is a time capsule of early tourism: Hende’s Hut began as a smithy for forging the iron standards that hold up Hende’s Gallery, a cantilevered walkway from 1907. It’s part of the charm—you’re literally walking the history of glacier guiding on the West Coast.

Best Time to Visit

Pick fine-weather days; this track is far better (and safer) when it’s dry. The main hiking season is generally October to April. In peak season, parking at the glacier car park can fill—start early. Note: car parking fees apply at Franz Josef Glacier from mid-December 2025.

Good to Know

There are public restrooms at the glacier car park, but none on the track. Hende’s Hut is a lunch spot, not an overnight hut. The lookout is a viewpoint only—there’s no access onto the glacier.