Nearly 1,000 tourists are stranded in the small New Zealand town of Franz Josef after stormy weekend weather triggered landslides and flooding along the town's main road.

While there were no reported injuries, authorities said that access to the town is unlikely to be restored until Friday.

The Rangitata river burst its banks at the weekend after heavy rain.

Some of the tourists were choosing to leave by helicopter or small plane while others were waiting until the highway reopened.

Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said many of the 970 tourists in Franz Josef were taking the news in their stride, but some were frustrated that their travel plans had been disrupted.