Top 4 Hostels and Budget Stays in Glacier Country (Franz Josef/Fox Glacier)
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Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
25/08/2025
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons
Glacier Country provides a range of social hostels and affordable lodging, creating welcoming spaces for travellers to connect after exploring the natural wonders.
1. Chateau Backpackers & Motels
Type: Hostel & Motel
Located centrally in Franz Josef, this spot is ideal for budget travellers keen to meet others. It features a spacious and well-equipped kitchen, making it easy to prepare meals and share experiences with fellow guests.
2. Glow Worm Accommodation
Type: Hostel
Known for its exceptionally high ratings, this Franz Josef hostel feels like a comfortable home away from home. While explicitly social aspects are not always highlighted, its popularity and inviting atmosphere encourage natural interaction among guests.
3. Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge Fox Glacier
Type: Hostel
Nestled in the heart of Fox Glacier village, this cosy lodge offers a relaxed and social environment. It provides communal facilities like a hot tub, a fireplace, and a shared kitchen, making it a great place to connect with other adventurers.
4. Rainforest Retreat Backpackers
Type: Hostel (with private options)
Set amidst the Franz Josef rainforest, this retreat combines comfortable, budget-friendly dorms with options for private rooms. Guests can enjoy an oversized communal spa pool and an alpine barrel sauna, creating perfect opportunities for unwinding and socialising, though a truly boisterous social scene may require seeking out communal areas.
Check out our other pages on Glacier Country (Franz Josef/Fox Glacier)
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