Sustaino-man
YHA Franz Josef
Five Star Backpackers

Address Details

Host: Danielle Weitzel
2-4 Cron St,
Franz Josef

+6437520754

+6437520080
Send an email
Rooms & Rates
Single
Twin
Twin ensuite
Double ensuite
Family
Shared

Number of beds: 103

Beds from: NZ$19
Rooms from: NZ$45

Select dates above to see rates for that period
Travelling with a group? Click here
Operating Hours
Reception Hours: Summer: 7.30am–9pm
Winter: 7.30am–8pm
Check out time: 10am
Payment Methods
Visa MasterCard eftpos 
Guest Services & Facilities
Closest food shop 200m 200m Internet access at Hostel TV room in Hostel Common room in Hostel Self catering Lockers available at Hostel Laundry Facilities Library Exchange Car Parking Bicycle storage at Hostel Disabled Facilities BBQ Sauna

YHA Franz Josef Glacier

Qualmark 5 Star Rated Backpacker Accommodation

With the West Coast rainforest right outside the backdoor, YHA Franz Josef Glacier is a 5 star hostel offering comfortable and modern backpacker accommodation. YHA Franz Josef Glacier is the perfect hostel to take in the sights of the magnificent Fox and Franz Josef Glacier glaciers on the South Island’s wild and wonderful West Coast. 

Nestled into a stunning backdrop of rainforest and mountain views, YHA Franz Josef Glacier offers backpacker accommodation comprising of shared, double, twin (some with ensuite bathrooms) and family rooms. YHA Franz Josef Glacier hostel facilities include a spacious fully equipped kitchen, TV lounge with Sky TV, flat screen TV and free DVDs, open plan lounge/dining room with piano and open fire, bike storage, laundry/drying room, pool table, picnic area, BBQ, travel desk, wireless internet and a FREE sauna!

The friendly hostel staff are happy to give free travel and activity information and will show you where you can take some amazing walks and hikes around Franz Josef village.

"YHA Franz Josef Glacier is probably the best budget accommodation in the area: very modern, well run and airy, with a spacious kitchen, clean comfortable rooms, BBQ area and all the expected facilities." - The Rough Guide to New Zealand

Special features at YHA Franz Josef Glacier that backpackers love:

  • 5 star backpacker accommodation in a lush rainforest setting in the heart of Franz Josef Glacier village. 
  • Only a five minute drive to New Zealand’s famous Franz Josef Glacier and just a further 30 minutes to Fox Glacier.
  • Free sauna -  perfect for relaxing in after a day’s walking on the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers.
  • Fantastic communal areas with lots of entertainment options: flat screen TV and DVDs, Sky TV, pool table, piano and cosy open fire.
  • Full travel desk - friendly staff are able to book your transportation and activities all around New Zealand (with suggestions on the best of the best).

About Franz Josef Glacier Village

Franz Josef Glacier village is an appealing alpine village surrounded by lush West Coast rainforest and mountain views and just a five minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier. Flowing almost to sea level into the dense rainforests of Westland National Park, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are the fastest flowing glaciers in New Zealand and the only glaciers in the world located alongside a temperate rainforest with ready access. Spend a day or two exploring either or both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with an experienced guide or take a helicopter flight with breathtaking views of the glaciers.

The Glacier Hot Pools have recently opened in Franz Josef village; a wonderful place to relax whilst sitting in thermal hot water pools uniquely surrounded by the West Coast rainforest. Glow worms are only a short walk from the YHA Franz Josef Glacier hostel too. For those wanting to enjoy more of the beautiful West Coast scenery, they should check out the mirror-like Lake Mapourika and rare white herons at Okarito lagoon.

Top activities to do while backpacking in Franz Josef

  • Hike on one of the only glaciers to exist in a rainforest setting, the Franz Josef Glacier. Take a short trip down the West Coast to hike the Fox Glacier too.
  • Fly up and away on a magnificent helicopter flight over the glaciers or try heli-hiking; quad biking; horseback riding or kayaking on a pristine West Coast river.
  • Soak your cares away in Franz Josef’s Glacier Hot Pools, thermal pools in a rainforest setting.
  • Look for the rare white herons at nearby Okarito Lagoon and take picture perfect mirror image photos at the lakes of Mapourika and Matheson.
  • Night time native kiwi walks in Okarito.

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Travel Tales

Kayaking in Franz Josef

Other hostels in the region


How to get there...
Details
Car
The hostel is at the south end of Cron Street which is one street off the main road. From the village turn by the petrol station onto Condon Street. Turn right on to Cron and the hostel is at the end of the road on the left. Car parking is available.
Bus/Shuttle
All the major transport companies stop at our front door. They will pick up here as well upon request.
Plane
The nearest airport is in Hokitika which is about 2 hour’s drive north of Franz Josef. Flights are available into Hokitika from Christchurch daily. Car rentals are available in Hokitika. There is no scheduled public transportation from the airport.
Train
The Tranz Alpine travels from Christchurch to Greymouth daily. Daily bus service meets the train and arrives in Franz Josef late in the afternoon.
Ferry

Here's a taster of what's going on in this region, for a full list of events check out Event Finder

Friday, 18 June 2010 - Friday, 18 June 2010, Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library
Winter Warmer Reading

Local Knowledge

Events

What to do

Flowing almost to sea level into the dense rainforests of Westland National Park, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are the fastest flowing and the only glaciers located alongside a temperate rainforest with ready access. Spend a day exploring with an experienced guide or take a helicopter flight with breathtaking views of the glaciers. Glow worms are only a short walk from the hostel too.

Hukawai Glacier Centre -  a unique, all weather opportunity to surround yourself with the sights and sounds of our spectacular Glacier Region.

The Hukawai indoor Ice Climbing Wall (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere) is a unique opportunity to try out an amazing glacial sport in a safe and fun environment. No experience necessary. The Hukawai Glacier Experience is a powerfully presented audio-visual display of the magnificent Glacier Region. Fascinating information on flora and fauna, geology, glaciology, Maori mythology and social history.


 

Group Accommodation

YHA offers a range of accommodation to suit groups of all types. Click here for more information about how YHA can help your group with their accommodation, transport and activity needs.

Each hostel offers a range of accommodation options for your group. Please email our Customer Services team or phone freephone (within NZ) 0800 278 299.

Or if you would like to make a group booking, please fill out our Groups Booking form.








The staff there were awesome!! I asked them loads of questions and not once did they get that look of "oh no here she comes again".
HostelWorld, 23 January 2009 
 

Nice, sociable hostel with a free sauna! Liked the individual lights by the bed too so was able to read in the room without disturbing people sleeping.

HostelWorld, 7 April 2008