Franz Josef village
EverythingMain street with hostels, cafés and the helipad.
New Zealand city guide
Franz Josef Travel Guide
Franz Josef is a small West Coast village at the foot of a glacier that falls from the Southern Alps almost into rainforest. Walk the valley to the glacier view, take a helicopter onto the ice, soak in rainforest hot pools, then catch Mount Cook reflected in Lake Matheson at dawn.
5
Hostels in the city
9.7
Average, from 4,795 reviews
About 90 minutes
Return glacier valley walk
From NZ$30
Dorm beds on Hostelworld
5
Hostels on Hostelworld
Franz Josef at a glance
Franz Josef (Waiau) is a village of a few hundred people on State Highway 6, on the West Coast of the South Island, inside Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Its glacier, Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, descends from the Southern Alps into temperate rainforest.
The village is a single main street of hostels, motels, cafés, tour offices and a helipad. Everything is walkable.
The glacier has retreated a long way in recent decades, and walking on the ice is now done by helicopter. From the valley floor, you can walk to a viewpoint of the terminal face.
Fox Glacier, 25 km south, is a similar village and glacier, and nearby Lake Matheson is famous for its mirror-like reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
The West Coast is one of the wettest places in New Zealand, and the weather decides everything here: helicopter flights are often cancelled in rain or low cloud. Allow an extra day if a heli-hike is your goal.
Most travellers spend one or two nights here on the road between Queenstown or Wanaka and the north of the West Coast.
Where to stay in Franz Josef
Everything in Franz Josef village is within a few minutes' walk. Fox Glacier, 25 minutes south, is a quieter alternative.
Glacier valley
WalksThe valley walk to the glacier viewpoint.
Fox Glacier
Quieter villageVillage and glacier 25 km south.
Lake Mapourika
KayakingLake north of the village.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Glacier walks, heli-hikes and hot pools
The Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk follows the river up a valley carved by the glacier, past waterfalls, to a viewpoint of the ice. It's free and takes about 90 minutes return. Check track conditions, as it closes after heavy rain.
A heli-hike is the only way onto the glacier: a helicopter lands you on the ice, where guides lead you through blue ice caves and crevasses. Scenic flights also land on the snow at the top. Flights depend on the weather.
The Glacier Hot Pools, in the rainforest at the edge of the village, are perfect after a day out.
Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier, has a walk around the lake with reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook, best at dawn on a calm day.
Fox Glacier has its own valley walk and heli-hikes.
Walk the Tatare Tunnels, an old water race through the forest with glowworms (bring a torch and expect wet feet), or the short rainforest walks around the village.
Kayaking on Lake Mapourika and skydiving with mountain views are also popular.
Free things
Franz Josef for free (or nearly)
The Glacier Valley Walk to the glacier viewpoint is free.
The Tatare Tunnels walk, with glowworms, is free.
The rainforest walks around the village, like Peters Pool, are free.
Lake Matheson's reflections at dawn are free, if you have transport.
Hostels often have free hot tubs or spas.
Food and drink
Cafés, pub meals and hostel kitchens
Franz Josef has a handful of cafés, a pub and restaurants, but it's a small village, and prices are high.
The village has a small supermarket, but stock up in a bigger town before you arrive if you're self-catering.
Hostel kitchens are where most backpackers eat. A pub dinner is NZ$25 to NZ$40.
Tap water is safe to drink.
Nightlife
A pub, a hot pool and early nights
Nightlife is low-key: a pub, a couple of bars and the hostel common rooms. Most people soak in the hot pools and go to bed early before a morning flight or walk.
Getting around
Getting to and around Franz Josef
Franz Josef is on State Highway 6, about five to six hours from Queenstown via the Haast Pass and about two and a half hours from Hokitika.
InterCity coaches and backpacker buses stop in the village. There's no airport, apart from helipads.
The village is walkable, and shuttles run to the glacier valley car park.
For Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson, you need a car, shuttle or tour.
The highway is sometimes closed by slips or floods after heavy rain, so check conditions.
Costs
What Franz Josef costs
Hostelworld lists dorm beds in Franz Josef from about NZ$30 to NZ$44, and private rooms at some hostels from about NZ$37.
Food is expensive, so bring supplies and cook.
Heli-hikes and scenic flights are the big costs, and the Glacier Hot Pools cost extra.
The valley walk, Tatare Tunnels and rainforest walks are free.
Allow around NZ$90 to NZ$130 a day, before flights.
Safety
Staying safe in Franz Josef
Franz Josef is safe, but the environment needs respect.
Never go beyond the barriers in the glacier valley: rockfall, ice collapse and flash floods are real risks.
Heavy rain can close tracks and the highway. Check conditions with the visitor centre.
Sandflies are fierce on the West Coast, so bring insect repellent.
Weather changes fast. Carry layers and rain gear on every walk.
Day trips from Franz Josef
From Franz Josef, you can reach Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and the lakes and beaches of the West Coast.
Fox Glacier
A second glacier village and valley walk.
Lake Matheson
Mirror reflections of Mount Cook at dawn.
Okarito
Lagoon, kayaking and kiwi tours.
Hokitika
Beach town with a gorge and pounamu (greenstone) carving.
What's on
What's on in Franz Josef
Franz Josef's calendar follows the seasons and the weather.
December to March
Peak season
Franz Josef
Busiest months; book beds and flights ahead.
June to August
Winter flying weather
Franz Josef
Cold but often clearer skies for flights.
Hostels
Hostels in Franz Josef
Franz Josef has five hostels on Hostelworld, all on or near the main street.
Best rated with dorms
Haka House Franz Josef
Rated 9.7 from 190 reviews, on the main street, with dorms from about NZ$30.
Most reviewed
Glow Worm Accommodation
Rated 9.5 from 1,437 reviews, in the village, with dorms from about NZ$44.
Rated 10
Wild Kea Lodge Franz Josef
Rated 10 from 1,074 reviews, with private rooms only, from about NZ$37.
Chateau Backpacker & Motels
Rooms from NZD 46 a night
See dates and book
Wild Kea Lodge Franz Josef
Rooms from NZD 36 a night
See dates and book
Haka House Franz Josef
Dorms from NZD 30 a night
See dates and book
Glow Worm Accommodation
Dorms from NZD 44 a night
See dates and book
Rainforest Retreat Backpackers
Dorms from NZD 31 a night
See dates and book
When to go to Franz Josef
Franz Josef is mild and wet, with highs from 6°C in July to 19°C in February. December to March is warmest, but it rains often all year. Winter can bring clearer skies and better flying days.
Jan
Summer; busy
Feb
Warmest month
Mar
Late summer
Apr
Autumn
May
Cool and wet
Jun
Winter; clearer days
Jul
Coldest month
Aug
Cold; clear spells
Sep
Spring
Oct
Wet spring
Nov
Warming up
Dec
Summer begins
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average daily highs from weather2travel's Franz Josef climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.
How much does Franz Josef cost per day?
Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total. Per day, for one person, in New Zealand dollars.
Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld prices in October 2026, converted from US dollars. Heli-hikes sit outside these figures.
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- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
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Franz Josef FAQs
Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.
Can you walk on Franz Josef Glacier?
Only on a heli-hike. The glacier has retreated, so walking access is by helicopter. You can walk to a viewpoint from the valley for free.
What if the weather is bad?
Helicopter flights are often cancelled in rain or low cloud. Allow an extra day, and enjoy the hot pools and rainforest walks.
How do I get to Franz Josef?
By road on State Highway 6, by InterCity coach or backpacker bus. It's about five to six hours from Queenstown.
Is Fox Glacier worth visiting too?
Yes, mainly for Lake Matheson's reflections of Mount Cook, and a second glacier valley walk.
How many days do you need in Franz Josef?
One to two nights, plus a spare day for weather.
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