Franz Josef Glacier is 12 kilometers long and found on New Zealand’s West Coast (South Island). It’s the world’s fastest moving glacier – moving at speeds of up to one meter per day. Big Franz Glacier is located only 300 meters above sea level and is surrounded near its base by temperate rainforest.
It’s a fascinating sight, as this photo hopefully shows.
Franz Josef Glacier
You have a number of different options if you want to see the glacier.
You can go on a guided glacier tour with Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Read my review of the experience here.
Also, a number of different companies in Franz offer helicopter tours. Check out this post for some great pictures from one of the flights.
I took the photo featured here from the summit of Alex Knob. This 4,249 foot peak can be reached in about four hours. The trail head leaves from just outside of the village.
It’s a challenging walk, but you’re afforded superb views of the glacier, the surrounding mountains, and the Tasman Sea – so long as you go on a clear day. The earlier you start, the better your chances of reaching the summit before the afternoon clouds roll in.
Do you have a photo and a brief write-up you’d like featured on Backpackingmatt’s Monday Escape? Email me at matt (at) backpackingmatt (dot) com. I’ll gladly post your photo with a link back to your blog. Cheers!
When I first made plans to move to New Zealand, buying a campervan was never something I imagined myself doing. While I am here on a working holiday, I didn’t suspect I’d want to invest in a vehicle. I have never owned a car in the US, and I certainly didn’t think I would buy my first vehicle as a backpacker in New Zealand.
I thought wrong. Shortly after arriving in Auckland, Nicole and I began to realize that traveling in a campervan was the ideal way to get around the country. We didn’t want to be committed to the schedules and routes of an InterCity bus. We didn’t want to be trapped in a Kiwi Experience bus with loud, 18 year old, gap year drunks. And we absolutely didn’t want a Kiwi Experience bus driver deciding what corners of New Zealand we would get to see.
We wanted the flexibility of going where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go there. Having your own car or van with a generator like one of these allows you to see more of New Zealand than you would if you traveling by bus. Also, we decided to buy a van on the assumption we’d save money in the long run. Instead of paying $25-30 a night for a hostel, we often stay for free in the van.
View of the Tasman Sea
We bought our campervan, Max, in Auckland. Here’s how you can do it too:
Buying a campervan (or car) is a very realistic option for the working holiday maker or backpacker who is traveling to New Zealand for more than a couple weeks time. If you’re here for much less than two months, I wouldn’t suggest buying a car. While it’s an easy process, you run the risk of spending too much time looking for and then attempting to sell your vehicle.
Where to look …
There are plenty of older, affordable cars and vans throughout New Zealand. Many of these have been passed down from backpacker to backpacker. These are your best bet and you’ll have the most luck looking for your van in one of New Zealand’s population centers: Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Chances are, they’ll be cheaper in a city where there are more options.
Hostels will have notice boards listing various backpacker related items for sale. These items will very often include backpacker cars and vans. Spend an afternoon looking around the hostels in one of New Zealand’s cities. In Auckland, I stayed at Base ACB (a terrible hostel which I don’t recommend). They actually had an entire notebook with various backpacker cars and vans for sale. It was a terrific resource.
I also recommend you check out Backpackerboard.co.nz’sonline listings. This is where I found Max, and it includes a constantly updated list of backpackers’ vehicles for sale. There is no middleman involved, so you’ll get what the seller thinks the car or van is actually worth. If you’re unable to find a van using hostel noticeboards or online listings, your next best bet is to look at a Backpackers Car Market.
Max
You’ll find a Backpackers Car Market in both Auckland and Christchurch. Often, these are where backpackers end up selling their cars or vans if they wait to long to do it on their own. These companies buy cars and vans from backpackers, and sell them back to backpackers. Expect the prices here to be significantly higher than they would be if you find a personal sale elsewhere. Nonetheless, the car markets often have good, quality vans. Before they can be sold, they are required to have a mechanical check. Chances are, you won’t get stuck with a lemon as the Car Market wouldn’t want to buy a lemon.
Lastly, you can check out Car Fairs in many of New Zealand’s larger cities. These will have a much wider selection of cars, trucks, and vans, which aren’t going to be specifically geared towards the backpacker. If you find a van at a Backpackers Car Market, or on a hostel notice board, or on Backpackerboard, chances are these will be converted with sleeping facilities, cooking supplies, maps, guidebooks, and anything else you might need on the road.
Things to consider before you buy …
Warrant of Fitness (Wof): All vehicles on New Zealand’s roads must undergo a test to ensure they’re safe for the road. A Warrant of Fitness essentially says that your van is roadworthy and safe. Older vehicles must undergo a WoF inspection every six months.
Considering this, I recommend you look for a van that has been recently WoFed. You’ll be guaranteed no immediate expenses – baring something doesn’t go wrong mechanically. If you buy a van which has to have its WoF inspection in three weeks, you run the risk of a garage bill of hundreds of dollars.
You might also consider arranging to take the vehicle you’re interested in to a mechanic to have a general inspection of the vehicles’ health. This shouldn’t cost you over $100.
Registration (ReGo): Similar to the WoF, all cars on New Zealand roads are required to be registered. While not a huge expense, it will cost you about $100 for every three months of registration. Check to see how long the car or van you’re buying is registered for. All registration labels are found on the top, left hand corner of the windshield.
Gas or Diesel: One of the first things you’ll notice about fuel prices in New Zealand is the stark difference between the price of diesel and gas. Diesel is significantly cheaper – at the moment, about seventy cents cheaper per liter. On the surface, you’d expect to save heaps of money with a diesel van. In reality, you don’t end up saving any money. In addition to a Registration fee, you’re required to pay road user charges for each 1,000 kms you drive.
Supplies: Does your van come with a New Zealand atlas? What about a gas cooker? Or pots and pans? These items add up quick quickly in New Zealand. Consider what things are or are not included when looking for a van.
After you find your van …
I was shocked by how easy it was to complete the purchase of my van. After you’ve paid for your new ride, a quick trip to any Post Shop will allow you to finish the deal. You’ll need to file for a change of ownershipwhich will cost you about $10. You’ll need to list an address on this form, but the address of the hostel where you’re staying will do.
Believe it or not, insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand – not even Third Party Insurance. This actually makes buying insurance a pretty good idea in my mind. I was surprised to find the process of insuring my van cheap and easy.
BBH (Budget Backpackers Hostels) offer third party insurance packages specifically geared for backpackers. They can be purchased online. It’s quick and easy, but it’s also overpriced. If you’ll be in New Zealand for a short period of time, it’s arguably the way to go. Policies for as little as three months can be purchased and would cost you $180 if you were over 25. The longer your policy, the cheaper the cost.
I opted to go with Kiwi Bank Auto Insurance. You can find details at the Post Shop when you’re transferring ownership of your new vehicle. This option is significantly cheaper. I pay just about $30 a month to insure my van with Kiwi bank – and, in addition to third party insurance, I get full coverage plus fire and theft.
How much?
How much you spend will depend on a number of factors. If you’re buying at the start of the summer, you’ll pay significantly more than you would in the middle of the winter. Either way, you can expect to pay $3000 or more for an adequate campervan with sleeping facilities. You could get away spending less than $2000 if you went the car route.
This is certainly easier to stomach if you’re traveling with a friend. Also, you can plan on getting all or a good portion of the cost back when you decide to sell. Do realize if you’re buying in the summer, and selling in the winter, you may inevitable lose some of what you paid.
Buying a van in New Zealand is a straightforward process. It’s so easy, a backpacker can do it. And you should.
Are you considering buying a car or van in New Zealand? While I hope this post was hopeful, I trust it didn’t answer all of your questions. Send any questions you have my way. Use the contact form or email at (matt) at (backpackingmatt) dot (com)
Living and working in a small community like Franz Josef has it’s share of advantages and disadvantages.
Disadvantage I could buy a liter of petrol for about $1.70 most places in New Zealand. In Franz, I pay nearly $2.00 for a liter. That’s just robbery – plain and simple. Petrol at the top of Arthur’s Pass – the highest inhabited village in New Zealand – was only $1.92. Charging more than that here is a crime.
Advantage Most of the bars in the area will happily give you a local’s discount. One of my locals, The Landing, even gives you a smashing little card to swipe when you’re buying your drinks. This allows you to earn points which can be redeemed for free drinks. Sweet as!
Disadvantage Cell phone signal is nonexistent once you leave the village. Considering I work about 10 kms outside of Franz Village, sending text messages and receiving phone calls throughout the day is out of the question (especially now that I own a broken iPhone).
Advantage Free tours. My Franz Josef Glacier hike was comped since I work in the area. It was amazing. Read about my experience here.
Also, Nicole and I also were lucky enough to go up in two helicopters a couple weeks ago. Many tourists visiting Franz anxiously wait for a clear day to view Fox and Franz Glaciers, the Southern Alps, and Mount Tasman and Cook – and then spend upwards of $400 for a 30 – 45 minute flight.
Our flight was free. And it was amazing. Considering I could never bring myself to pay so much for such a short experience, the free helicopter flight was a great perk to working on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Enjoy the photos …
Fox GlacierBig Franz
Looking down FoxFranzAccumulation Zone - FranzLooking down Franz GlacierSouthern AlpsSouthern AlpsView from the snow landingLanding view
Snow LandingMount Cook - New Zealand's highest peak - 12,316 feetSnow capped peaks
All in all, it was truly an epic experience. If you have the money to blow, there are three operators all found on the main road in Franz. Their prices are very similar and most include snow landings. Shop around, and you may get yourself a deal. Avoid the operators based outside of the village as the locals say they often land in unapproved areas.
Would you splurge on a helicopter flight as a budget traveler? Add your feelings below.
The story of the jet boat is a traditional, Kiwi story with its roots in the Mackenzie Basin of the South Island. Bill Hamilton, a local farmer, found he was in need of a type of a boat that was able to navigate the shallow, braided rivers of the area where he lived. In 1954, using the New Zealand can do, Number 8 wire mentality, Bill Hamilton simply decided to make one. Over fifty years later, Hamilton jet boats are known the world over and are a source of one of New Zealand’s many adventure activities.
There are heaps of companies throughout New Zealand offering jet boat tours – from Taupo, to Queenstown, to Christchuch. I was in Christchurch last weekend, and decided to take in the jet boating experience on Canterbury’s Waimakariri River.
Though only a short hour outside of Christchurch, Southern Alps Jet is based in a location that feels like it’s miles away from anywhere. After turning off of the SH73 in Springfield, a winding country road filled with one-way bridges takes you to the Rubicon Valley Tourist Center. A one-lane, pothole filled road leads you to Southern Alps Jet’s base.
I was running late for my 12pm tour, and Alistair was waiting for me outside when I pulled up in my Toyota Hiace campervan. After welcoming me with a smile and a firm handshake, Alistair took me inside to get kitted up with a life vest and waterproof jacket. We boarded a vintage passenger bus and made our way to the banks of the Waimak.
The Waimak is Canterbury’s largest river. Snow fed, and starting high in the Southern Alps, the Waimak flows through Canterbury all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The Maori name for the Waimakariri means, “cold, rushing water.” Just like many of New Zealand’s rivers, and for the reason Hamilton created his jet boat, the Waimak meanders its way to the sea as a braided river. Viewed from above, it’s path passes through beds of sand and rocks of the plains and appears to be absentmindedly braided.
We exited the bus to find the bright yellow jet boat docked and idling in the rushing, milky emerald waters of the Waimak. If it wasn’t for the recent rain in the Alps, I was told we would be able to see all the way to the bottom – we would perhaps even see the Waimak’s trout and salmon swim upstream. In the distance, small, rolling mountains faded away into higher mountains, which faded away into low-lying clouds. On a clear day, the whole of the Southern Alps would be within view.
Alistair led me to the jet boat, and as it sat quietly rumbling in the rushing water, he went over the last minute safety precautions. With the formalities out of the way, Alistair put the boat into gear and we roared up the shallow waters of the Waimak. The Hamilton jet boat is designed so as it sucks in water from underneath the hull and shoots it out the back. Thanks to this design, it is able to at full speed shoot across inches of water at death defying speeds.
As we cruised up the river, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/hr, we passed dangerously close to sheer cliffs jutting out of the water. The Hamilton jet boat’s design allows the driver to turn on a dime. Alistair led us up rapids, through narrow canyons, turning at the sickening last moment around boulders and cliff faces. We bumped up rapids before finally stopping to take in the sheer beauty of the area.
Alistair killed the engine and used the time to fill me in on the local history of the river and the Waimakariri Gorge. As I listened, I couldn’t help but appreciate the sheer remoteness of the area where we were. Miles away from anything, Alistair informed me that this area can only be viewed by boat or by air.
With the history out of the way, and the jet boat’s motor roaring again, we made our way downstream. With the help of the current, we were able to reach speeds of nearly 100 km/hr. As we shot over rapids, my stomach continued to drop as we narrowly missed rock walls by only inches. Before pulling up to the dock and waiting bus, Alistair performed a couple more ‘Hamilton turns’ – a high speed maneuver where the boat is turned sharply causing the boats stern to lift, and spin around quickly with a large spray of water.
As we docked the jet boat, I realized that I was on edge and frightened throughout the entire ride – yet I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Are you keen to give jet boating a go? Here is some info to get you started.
The One Hour AlpJet Discovery tour I went on will cost you $105. A terrific deal when you consider the ShootOver Jet in Queenstown charges about the same price for a 30 minute tour.
I enjoyed the combination of history and thrills that the tour provided. Learn about the region’s history and shoot up the river at frightening speeds.
Southern Alps Jet is based about an hour outside of Christchurch. Shuttles can be arranged for groups of four or more. If you have your own transportation, consider arranging a tour on the day you’re heading to the West Coast via Arthur’s Pass.
Full Disclosure: Alistair and Southern Alps Jet provided me with a complimentary tour in return for a review.
While Auckland isn’t New Zealand’s capital city, it is the largest with a population of just over one million people. Auckland has a great reputation throughout New Zealand, so long as you don’t leave … well, Auckland. Venture too far outside of the city, and it becomes overly apparent that Auckland and Aucklanders have a less than perfect reputation with New Zealand’s other three million people.
Auckland Skyline
Chances are though, if you’re visiting New Zealand, you’ll spend at least a couple of nights in Auckland – and that’s all you’ll need. Your visit to New Zealand should include adventure sports, hiking, spectacular landscapes, and friendly people. And the best of these are found outside of the city.
Here are some budget tips for your time in the City of Sails.
One thing I found terribly frustrating after my arrival to New Zealand was the lack of free, wireless internet. The concept of going to a coffee shop, buying a coffee, and enjoying free access to the internet just doesn’t exist yet in this country – not even in a big city such as Auckland. The vast majority of WiFi hotspots you find are pay as you go. To further confuse matters, they are pay as you go based on time or data usage. Uploading photos to Facebook, using Skype, or streaming movies will drain your usage in minutes.
If you need the internet in Auckland, these are your best bets.
Esquires Coffee House has a number of locations around the city. Most of these will give you an hour of internet usage with the purchase of a coffee. While they limit you to 100mbs of usage, it’s certainly a better setup than most other coffee shops. Especially Starbucks.
The Gloria Jeans Coffee house at 360 Queen Street offers an even better deal. Purchase a coffee and they’ll provide you with the password to their private wireless network. No time restrictions. No usage restrictions. It’s a great place to Skype home.
Auckland’s Central City Library (and most libraries in New Zealand) at 46 Lorne Street (just off of Queen Street) offers free and unlimited wireless.
Food Alley
Just like any other city, you can expect to pay more for food, beer, accommodation, and the like in Auckland. If you’re after a cheap eat, you can’t miss Auckland’s Food Alley at 9 – 11 Albert Street.
Featuring about 15 different kitchens on two levels and specializing in food from throughout Asia, this food court is a must see for your time in the city. You’ll find food from Thailand, China, India, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and more. Hungry backpacker sized portions are served up for less than $15. Go over the lunch hour when the place is in full swing to fully appreciate the madness. With a couple licensed bars, you may end up spending the afternoon.
View from Devonport
There are plenty of things to do in Auckland’s city center to keep you busy. But if you’re after a quick, cheap, day-trip outside of the city, consider heading to Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore. A picturesque, maritime suburb, Devonport feels more like a small village. With plenty of free things to do, it’s a great day trip for a budget traveler. I recommend heading up North Head and Mount Victoria. Both of these small hills provide unbeatable views of downtown Auckland, the sea, and the surrounding islands.
To get to Devonport, you’ll need to catch a Fullers Ferry from the ferry terminal at the bottom of Queen Street. The ride takes about twenty minutes and will cost you $10 return. North Head and Mount Victoria are within a 30 minutes walk from the ferry terminal – as are a couple of white sand beaches. After a day of walking around Devonport, you’ll be ready for a pint. Swing into the Masonic Tavern and enjoy one of their 14 different beers, cheap food, and sea views.
I don’t have any hostel recommendations for your time in Auckland. However, I can encourage you to avoid the Base ACB hostel on Queen street. Run down, smelly, and poorly run, this hostel is every non-travelers view of what a hostel is. Avoid it, and instead check out some of the independently owned hostels in the neighborhoods surrounding Auckland’s city center.
Have you traveled to Auckland? Please add your budget travel tips to the comments section below!
Kia Ora - I'm Matt. Adventurer, Instagrammer and New Zealand travel planning expert living in Queenstown, NZ. Founder of Planit NZ - New Zealand's largest travel planning & booking website.
Hello! I’m Matt. Thanks for checking out my blog. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for loads more New Zealand travel inspiration. Comment on one of my photos so I know you came from here!
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There is no connected account for the user 1660330 Feed will not update.
There are heaps of companies throughout New Zealand offering jet boat tours – from Taupo, to Queenstown, to Christchuch. I was in Christchurch last weekend, and decided to take in the jet boating experience on Canterbury’s Waimakariri River.
The Waimak is Canterbury’s largest river. Snow fed, and starting high in the Southern Alps, the Waimak flows through Canterbury all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The Maori name for the Waimakariri means, “cold, rushing water.” Just like many of New Zealand’s rivers, and for the reason Hamilton created his jet boat, the Waimak meanders its way to the sea as a braided river. Viewed from above, it’s path passes through beds of sand and rocks of the plains and appears to be absentmindedly braided.
As we cruised up the river, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/hr, we passed dangerously close to sheer cliffs jutting out of the water. The Hamilton jet boat’s design allows the driver to turn on a dime. Alistair led us up rapids, through narrow canyons, turning at the sickening last moment around boulders and cliff faces. We bumped up rapids before finally stopping to take in the sheer beauty of the area.
Backpacking Matt 
