{"id":1310416,"date":"2026-10-23T04:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T04:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1310416"},"modified":"2026-10-23T09:33:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T09:33:46","slug":"franz-josef","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/oceania\/new-zealand\/franz-josef\/","title":{"rendered":"Franz Josef"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1310390,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_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Zealand city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Franz Josef Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"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.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1310534","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"About 90 minutes | Return glacier valley walk\r\nFrom NZ$30 | Dorm beds on Hostelworld\r\n5 | Hostels on Hostelworld","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Franz Josef at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"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, K\u0101 Roimata o Hine Hukatere, descends from the Southern Alps into temperate rainforest.\r\n\r\nThe village is a single main street of hostels, motels, caf\u00e9s, tour offices and a helipad. Everything is walkable.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nFox 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.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nMost travellers spend one or two nights here on the road between Queenstown or Wanaka and the north of the West Coast.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Airport transfer | No airport; coaches on State Highway 6\r\nGetting around | Walk; shuttles to the glacier\r\nTransport app | None\r\nCurrency | New Zealand dollar\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nTipping | Not expected\r\nLanguage | English and te reo M\u0101ori\r\nHow long to stay | One to two nights, plus a weather day\r\nBest area to stay | The village\r\nSandflies | Bring repellent","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Everything in Franz Josef village is within a few minutes' walk. Fox Glacier, 25 minutes south, is a quieter alternative.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"11","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"Franz Josef village | Everything | Main street with hostels, caf\u00e9s and the helipad. | -43.388 | 170.183 |  | \nGlacier valley | Walks | The valley walk to the glacier viewpoint. | -43.43 | 170.18 |  | \nFox Glacier | Quieter village | Village and glacier 25 km south. | -43.464 | 170.017 |  | \nLake Mapourika | Kayaking | Lake north of the village. | -43.32 | 170.2 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"Franz Josef itineraries","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"One day covers the glacier valley walk and the hot pools. With two, add a heli-hike and Lake Matheson at sunrise.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Glacier walks, heli-hikes and hot pools","hw_hub_city_do_body":"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.\r\n\r\nA 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.\r\n\r\nThe Glacier Hot Pools, in the rainforest at the edge of the village, are perfect after a day out.\r\n\r\nLake Matheson, near Fox Glacier, has a walk around the lake with reflections of Aoraki\/Mount Cook, best at dawn on a calm day.\r\n\r\nFox Glacier has its own valley walk and heli-hikes.\r\n\r\nWalk 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.\r\n\r\nKayaking on Lake Mapourika and skydiving with mountain views are also popular.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Glacier Valley Walk | Free, about 90 minutes\r\nHeli-hike | The only way onto the ice\r\nGlacier Hot Pools | In the rainforest\r\nLake Matheson | Mount Cook reflections\r\nTatare Tunnels | Glowworms, bring a torch\r\nKayaking | Lake Mapourika","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Franz Josef for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"The Glacier Valley Walk to the glacier viewpoint is free.\r\n\r\nThe Tatare Tunnels walk, with glowworms, is free.\r\n\r\nThe rainforest walks around the village, like Peters Pool, are free.\r\n\r\nLake Matheson's reflections at dawn are free, if you have transport.\r\n\r\nHostels often have free hot tubs or spas.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Glacier valley walk | Free\r\nTatare Tunnels | Free\r\nRainforest walks | Peters Pool\r\nLake Matheson | At dawn","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free-things-to-do","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Caf\u00e9s, pub meals and hostel kitchens","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Franz Josef has a handful of caf\u00e9s, a pub and restaurants, but it's a small village, and prices are high.\r\n\r\nThe village has a small supermarket, but stock up in a bigger town before you arrive if you're self-catering.\r\n\r\nHostel kitchens are where most backpackers eat. A pub dinner is NZ$25 to NZ$40.\r\n\r\nTap water is safe to drink.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Caf\u00e9s | A handful, pricey\r\nPub dinner | NZ$25\u201340\r\nSupermarket | Small; stock up beforehand\r\nHostel kitchens | Most people cook","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"A pub, a hot pool and early nights","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"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.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Pub | Low-key\r\nHot pools | Evening soaks\r\nEarly nights | Before morning flights","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"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.\r\n\r\nInterCity coaches and backpacker buses stop in the village. There's no airport, apart from helipads.\r\n\r\nThe village is walkable, and shuttles run to the glacier valley car park.\r\n\r\nFor Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson, you need a car, shuttle or tour.\r\n\r\nThe highway is sometimes closed by slips or floods after heavy rain, so check conditions.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Queenstown | About 5\u20136 hours via Haast Pass\r\nFrom Hokitika | About 2.5 hours\r\nCoaches | InterCity and backpacker buses\r\nGlacier shuttle | To the valley car park\r\nHighway | Slips after heavy rain","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Franz Josef costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Hostelworld lists dorm beds in Franz Josef from about NZ$30 to NZ$44, and private rooms at some hostels from about NZ$37.\r\n\r\nFood is expensive, so bring supplies and cook.\r\n\r\nHeli-hikes and scenic flights are the big costs, and the Glacier Hot Pools cost extra.\r\n\r\nThe valley walk, Tatare Tunnels and rainforest walks are free.\r\n\r\nAllow around NZ$90 to NZ$130 a day, before flights.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | From about NZ$30 on Hostelworld\r\nHeli-hike | The big cost\r\nHot pools | Extra\r\nA day, all in | NZ$90\u2013130 before flights","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Franz Josef is safe, but the environment needs respect.\r\n\r\nNever go beyond the barriers in the glacier valley: rockfall, ice collapse and flash floods are real risks.\r\n\r\nHeavy rain can close tracks and the highway. Check conditions with the visitor centre.\r\n\r\nSandflies are fierce on the West Coast, so bring insect repellent.\r\n\r\nWeather changes fast. Carry layers and rain gear on every walk.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Barriers | Never go beyond them\r\nRain | Tracks and roads close\r\nSandflies | Repellent\r\nWeather | Carry rain gear","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"From Franz Josef, you can reach Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and the lakes and beaches of the West Coast.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Fox Glacier | About 25 minutes | Car or shuttle | A second glacier village and valley walk. |  | 1310506\nLake Matheson | About 30 minutes | Car or shuttle | Mirror reflections of Mount Cook at dawn. |  | \nOkarito | About 30 minutes | Car | Lagoon, kayaking and kiwi tours. |  | \nHokitika | About 2.5 hours | Bus or car | Beach town with a gorge and pounamu (greenstone) carving. |  | ","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Franz Josef is mild and wet, with highs from 6\u00b0C in July to 19\u00b0C in February. December to March is warmest, but it rains often all year. Winter can bring clearer skies and better flying days.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average daily highs from weather2travel's Franz Josef climate data. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 18 | 5 | Summer; busy\r\nFebruary | 19 | 5 | Warmest month\r\nMarch | 17 | 4 | Late summer\r\nApril | 13 | 3 | Autumn\r\nMay | 9 | 2 | Cool and wet\r\nJune | 7 | 2 | Winter; clearer days\r\nJuly | 6 | 2 | Coldest month\r\nAugust | 7 | 2 | Cold; clear spells\r\nSeptember | 10 | 3 | Spring\r\nOctober | 12 | 3 | Wet spring\r\nNovember | 15 | 4 | Warming up\r\nDecember | 17 | 5 | Summer begins","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Franz Josef's calendar follows the seasons and the weather.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/oceania\/new-zealand\/franz-josef\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Peak season | December to March | Franz Josef | Busiest months; book beds and flights ahead. |  | \nWinter flying weather | June to August | Franz Josef | Cold but often clearer skies for flights. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Franz Josef cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total. Per day, for one person, in New Zealand dollars.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld prices in October 2026, converted from US dollars. Heli-hikes sit outside these figures.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 32 | 30 | 5 | 5\r\nMiddle of the road | 50 | 55 | 15 | 40\r\nComfortable | 100 | 90 | 30 | 150","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"NZ$","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Hostels in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Franz Josef has five hostels on Hostelworld, all on or near the main street.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Franz Josef","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/oceania\/new-zealand\/franz-josef\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best rated with dorms | Haka House Franz Josef | Rated 9.7 from 190 reviews, on the main street, with dorms from about NZ$30. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/317963\/haka-house-franz-josef\/\nMost reviewed | Glow Worm Accommodation | Rated 9.5 from 1,437 reviews, in the village, with dorms from about NZ$44. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/36020\/glow-worm-accommodation\/\nRated 10 | Wild Kea Lodge Franz Josef | Rated 10 from 1,074 reviews, with private rooms only, from about NZ$37. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/38997\/wild-kea-lodge-franz-josef\/","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Franz Josef FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"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.\r\nWhat 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.\r\nHow 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.\r\nIs Fox Glacier worth visiting too? | Yes, mainly for Lake Matheson's reflections of Mount Cook, and a second glacier valley walk.\r\nHow many days do you need in Franz Josef? | One to two nights, plus a spare day for weather.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Franz Josef hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Franz Josef | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/oceania\/new-zealand\/franz-josef\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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