One of the amazing things about Fox Glacier is that it is only 30 minutes drive from the beach. This panorama shows Gillespies Beach. From sand to glacier in no time at all.

Gillespies Beach - Fox Glacier visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Gillespies Beach' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from West Coast.

Gillespies Beach is a rock and sand beach west of Fox Glacier. Here massive rollers from the Tasman Sea break upon the shores of the West Coast of New Zealand. Gillespies Beach has the remains of a small gold mining enterprise and the decaying remnants of the gold dredge are within easy walk of the car park, as is the small Gillespies Beach Cemetery with the graves of a few of the miners.

Most people come here to walk along the vast open shores. A very popular 4 hour walk heads north along Gillespies Beach over a coastal lagoon to Galway Beach where there is a seal colony. On the way the trail passes an old miners tunnel which you can explore.

Gillespies Beach has a small campsite with room for up to 6 tents. The narrow road access is not suitable for long or towed vehicles. The site has running water and toilets. A small number of people still live by the beach.

Gillespies Beach is about 20km west of Fox Glacier Township. From the township, take Cook Flat Road past Lake Matheson, and then Gillespies Beach Road. This becomes a narrow dirt and gravel track that winds through forest to the coast.