Rope Creek Cascades are roughly a 10-minutes' drive away from Franz Josef Village, or 2-hours’ from Hokitika. The road surface is always sealed.

From Franz Josef Village head south on the SH-6, then, immediately past the bridge over the Waiho River, turn left into Franz Josef Glacier Rd and follow it for the next 3.5 km. The carpark is at the end of Franz Josef Glacier Rd. There are picnic tables and toilets there.

From the parking follow the popular Franz Josef Glacier Walk (you don't need to pay for it), then roughly in 40 minutes, almost at the end of the track, you'll see the cascades on the on the left hand side from a distance.

From here, climb to the viewing area overlooking the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier (5-10 minutes), or return back via the same track (40 minutes). The walk is more or less simple but it could be dangerous. Please refer to the DOC site, Hazards section for more information.

May be a closer approach is possible. We have never tried it ourselves, but it looks like the cascades are better seen from a bridge over the Rope Creek while walking Roberts Point Track (5-hrs 20-minutes).