Hostel · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Montrose Lodge Fox Glacier
9.0
335 reviewsBudget-friendly, cozy atmosphere.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–50
- Wi-Fi
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
South Island · New Zealand
Common stamp · 25 km circle
Stamp Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
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- A day
- ~NZ$268
- Best
- Oct–Apr
- Dorms from
- NZ$35
Adventure base
Why Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
- Heli-hike onto an active glacier — a bucket-list experience
- Unique landscape where glaciers meet rainforest near sea level
- Free valley walks to glacier viewpoints
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are two glaciers that descend from the Southern Alps almost to sea level, making them among the most accessible glaciers in the world. The twin glacier villages sit on the West Coast, 25 km apart, surrounded by lush temperate rainforest — a unique juxtaposition of ice and green. Due to glacial retreat, you can no longer walk onto either glacier from the valley floor; the only way to set foot on the ice is by helicopter (heli-hike). The villages are small, purpose-built for tourism, and have a captive backpacker audience thanks to the single road through.
A day in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
- Hostel dorm
- NZ$124
- Food
- NZ$58
- Transport
- NZ$15
- About a day
- NZ$268
Where to stay in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Tap a hostel for the details, or + Plan to save it for the planner.
- Montrose Lodge Fox Glacier
9.0 · NZ$35–50 dorm · budget-friendly, cozy atmosphere
- YHA Franz Josef
8.6 · NZ$35–50 dorm · large, well-equipped, great common room with mountain views
- Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef
8.4 · NZ$35–50 dorm · dorms and private rooms set in native bush, hot tubs
- Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge (Fox Glacier)
8.2 · NZ$35–50 dorm · small, friendly, hot tub and sauna, 4 minutes from the village
- Base Franz Josef
7.2 · NZ$35–50 dorm · social hostel with bar and activities
Hostel · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
YHA Franz Josef
8.6
278 reviewsLarge, well-equipped, great common room with mountain views.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–50
- Wi-Fi
Hostel · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef
8.4
198 reviewsDorms and private rooms set in native bush, hot tubs.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–50
- Wi-Fi
Hostel · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge (Fox Glacier)
8.2
224 reviewsSmall, friendly, hot tub and sauna, 4 minutes from the village.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–50
- Wi-Fi
Hostel · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Base Franz Josef
7.2
360 reviewsSocial hostel with bar and activities.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–50
- Wi-Fi
- Bar
Things to do in Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Tap one to see it, or + Plan to add it to your trip.
Nature · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Heli-hike onto Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
Heli-hike onto Franz Josef or Fox Glacier (3-4 hours including helicopter flight; from $400-450 NZD — expensive but unforgettable)
- Price
- NZ$400–450
Water · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Kayak on Lake Mapourika with mirror reflections of the mountains
Kayak on Lake Mapourika with mirror reflections of the mountains (half-day from $95 NZD)
- Price
- NZ$95
Nature · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Scenic helicopter flight over both glaciers and the Southern Alps
Scenic helicopter flight over both glaciers and the Southern Alps (from $250 NZD)
- Price
- NZ$250
Nature · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
See glow worms on the Terrace Walk at dusk
See glow worms on the Terrace Walk at dusk (free, Franz Josef)
Tours · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Take a jade/pounamu carving workshop
Take a jade/pounamu carving workshop ($85 NZD)
- Price
- NZ$85
Nature · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Walk the free Franz Josef Glacier valley walk to the glacier viewpoint
Walk the free Franz Josef Glacier valley walk to the glacier viewpoint (1.5 hours return)
Nature · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Walk to Fox Glacier viewpoint via the free valley track
Walk to Fox Glacier viewpoint via the free valley track (1 hour return)
Food · Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Walk to Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier for the famous "mirror lake" reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman
Walk to Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier for the famous "mirror lake" reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman (free, 1.5-hour loop)
Coming soon · The Franz Josef & Fox Glacier wall
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