Rainforest Retreat - Franz Josef Glacier

Rainforest Retreat

Franz Josef Glacier

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Information

Rainforest Retreat

Experience true nature in style......

Immerse yourself in the spectacular mountains and bush of New Zealand’s West Coast. Rainforest Retreat is a unique destination with varied options to suit the budgets and needs of all travellers.

Nestled amongst native bush and lush Punga groves in Franz Josef Village, Rainforest Retreat offers a varied range of accommodation, all built to embrace the natural environment. Whatever the season, you can explore the South Island’s glacier country and West Coast region from Rainforest Retreat. More than just accomodation, it’s a captivating experience.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Rainforest Holiday Park

Commercial organisation

Location

South IslandWest CoastCron street

Categories

  • Activity__camping_grounds_holiday_parksCamping Grounds
  • Activity__dump_stationDump Station

Operating Season And Hours

7am - 8pm

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-43.3857760460045

170.183436870575

Take a peak
Latitude
-43.3857760460045
Longitude
170.183436870575

Websites

Maps

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Reviews

    ✓ Great value for money

    ✓ Clean facilities

    ✓ Lovely natural surroundings

    ✓ Friendly and helpful staff

    ✓ Free hot showers and sauna

    𐄂 Expensive for powered sites

    𐄂 Dated and limited facilities

    • Beautiful setting!
    • Best place I have stayed so far.
    • Really loved this site.
    • OK....$48 powered site for 2.
    • Highly recommend.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 77
    29%
    9/10 67
    25%
    8/10 57
    22%
    7/10 30
    11%
    6/10 10
    4%
    5/10 11
    4%
    4/10 2
    1%
    3/10 6
    2%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 3
    1%
  • 5.0/5

    Really recommend this place!

    The kitchen and toilet was clean and the environment is amazing. :) best holiday park for us so far!

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    SWEDEN
    JP
    Joel Palage's avatar

    Joel Palage

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Pricey but you get what you pay for.

    We looked at the Franz Josef Campervan Park on the way here, really small & basic but a bit closer to town.

    Rainforest Retreat has free (and good!) wifi, washing machines you can use with a credit card, & hot hot untimed showers.

    We were able to get a powered site that backed onto the tiny creek with forest up the back so we woke up surrounded by trees, running water & birdsong.

    The attached restaurant & bar is worth a visit if like us you are ready to treat yourself to something other than camping food.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    J
    Jen's avatar

    Jen

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    We paid 70 NZD for 2 people on a powered site (there were no unpowered ones).

    The place is nice, it has hot showers, kitchen, lounge area, outside hot tub, and sauna. It also has laundry, but it stops working when the internet is lost.

    Reviewed 2 months ago and experienced in December 2024

    MS
    Mladen Savov's avatar

    Mladen Savov

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful caravan park.

    Clean toilets hot showers. Great value for $. Was very nice.

    Reviewed 6 months ago

    W
    Walvins's avatar

    Walvins

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Based on value for money this was the best park we stayed at during our trip.

    Wifi worked well, the facilities (laundry and shower were decent). The lodge and shared room was fantastic, BBQs didn't work however not a major. The bar at the park was lovely and the hot tub was free so thats a win.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    D
    Dean's avatar

    Dean

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    21April24.

    2 adults. Powered site $48. Nice place as others have said. I would only say the number of toilets and showers are low for the number of pitches.

    Watch out for the large rocks by the pitches. One jumped out and ripped off the end of the waste water outlet! Ouch

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    MF
    Mike Fricker's avatar

    Mike Fricker

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Very lovely site and reception staff gave us the warmest welcome.

    Beware - the tour groups stay here and so there were so quite rowdy G Adventures Tweenies running around screaming in the area and hot tub.

    The kitchen facilities were locked at 11.30pm which sucked as we couldn’t get any water….. not sure why and this was the first time we had experienced that and frankly, I don’t think it’s acceptable.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    Uc
    Unhappy camper 's avatar

    Unhappy camper

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, free hot tub and sauna.

    Great value for money staff clearly work very hard to keep the place clean.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Joe's avatar

    Joe

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Stayed in an unpowered site which was only $30-powered site was $10 more so not that expensive.

    It gave access to all facilities, nice hot showers, lounge and a hot tub. Ate at the monsoon restaurant onsite which was not too expensive and food quite good. Only a few minutes walk to shops.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Jimothyhike's avatar

    Jimothyhike

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We had a lovely time here.

    Everything was clean and the spot is just perfect for a walk to the wild life center. There is a bar/restaurant in site that is really good.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in September 2023

    C
    Chloe's avatar

    Chloe

    Customer

  • 2.5/5

    They forced us to book 2 nights (160$ for a powered site) because that is the minimum stay they accept.

    Disappointed for the price…

    Showers were not clean, there is no soap or paper towels in the bathroom. Sites are very small and packed up. There was a horrible smell at our site, coming for standing water right next to it. It’s also full of muskitos and sandflies. Laundry is 18$ for washer + dryer, and it’s outside, there are only a couple of machines and one of them leaks.

    I trusted the reviews and booked 2 nights but regretted it. They clearly spend all their money on rooms and not on cleaning up the campsite.

    Reviewed 4 months ago

    S
    Sophie's avatar

    Sophie

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    OK....$48 powered site for 2.

    Nice greenery. Adequate kitchen but only 2 dining tables in the lounge. Good shower cubicles but beware mensroom lights are on sensor/ timer. So if sitting too long on toilet or in shower U can be stranded in pitch dark till the next visitor arrives.

    Cleanliness spoilt by some messy guests in both kitchen and toilets which took almost 24hrs for staff to address.

    Overall happy and recommend...

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    B
    小B's avatar

    小B

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good sites with clean facilities.

    Very close to restaurants and the activities.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    L
    Lieke's avatar

    Lieke

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    All good except very limited facilities

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    MO
    Matt Olejniczak's avatar

    Matt Olejniczak

    Customer

  • 1.5/5

    Overpriced for small powered sites.

    I can reach out my window and shake hands with the caravan next to me. Showers were clean.

    Laundry was expensive. It’s 6, unless you want warm water. That costs 8. Dryer 2 for 10 minutes.

    Reviewed 29 days ago

    E
    Elvis's avatar

    Elvis

    Customer

  • 1.5/5

    Overpriced for small powered sites.

    I can reach out my window and shake hands with the caravan next to me. Showers were clean.

    Laundry was expensive. It’s 6, unless you want warm water. That costs 8. Dryer 2 for 10 minutes.

    Reviewed 29 days ago

    E
    Elvis's avatar

    Elvis

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    We paid 70 NZD for 2 people on a powered site (there were no unpowered ones).

    The place is nice, it has hot showers, kitchen, lounge area, outside hot tub, and sauna. It also has laundry, but it stops working when the internet is lost.

    Reviewed 2 months ago and experienced in December 2024

    MS
    Mladen Savov's avatar

    Mladen Savov

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Really recommend this place!

    The kitchen and toilet was clean and the environment is amazing. :) best holiday park for us so far!

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    SWEDEN
    JP
    Joel Palage's avatar

    Joel Palage

    Customer

  • 2.5/5

    They forced us to book 2 nights (160$ for a powered site) because that is the minimum stay they accept.

    Disappointed for the price…

    Showers were not clean, there is no soap or paper towels in the bathroom. Sites are very small and packed up. There was a horrible smell at our site, coming for standing water right next to it. It’s also full of muskitos and sandflies. Laundry is 18$ for washer + dryer, and it’s outside, there are only a couple of machines and one of them leaks.

    I trusted the reviews and booked 2 nights but regretted it. They clearly spend all their money on rooms and not on cleaning up the campsite.

    Reviewed 4 months ago

    S
    Sophie's avatar

    Sophie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Pricey but you get what you pay for.

    We looked at the Franz Josef Campervan Park on the way here, really small & basic but a bit closer to town.

    Rainforest Retreat has free (and good!) wifi, washing machines you can use with a credit card, & hot hot untimed showers.

    We were able to get a powered site that backed onto the tiny creek with forest up the back so we woke up surrounded by trees, running water & birdsong.

    The attached restaurant & bar is worth a visit if like us you are ready to treat yourself to something other than camping food.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    J
    Jen's avatar

    Jen

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful caravan park.

    Clean toilets hot showers. Great value for $. Was very nice.

    Reviewed 6 months ago

    W
    Walvins's avatar

    Walvins

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Based on value for money this was the best park we stayed at during our trip.

    Wifi worked well, the facilities (laundry and shower were decent). The lodge and shared room was fantastic, BBQs didn't work however not a major. The bar at the park was lovely and the hot tub was free so thats a win.

    Reviewed 8 months ago

    D
    Dean's avatar

    Dean

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Very lovely site and reception staff gave us the warmest welcome.

    Beware - the tour groups stay here and so there were so quite rowdy G Adventures Tweenies running around screaming in the area and hot tub.

    The kitchen facilities were locked at 11.30pm which sucked as we couldn’t get any water….. not sure why and this was the first time we had experienced that and frankly, I don’t think it’s acceptable.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    Uc
    Unhappy camper 's avatar

    Unhappy camper

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    21April24.

    2 adults. Powered site $48. Nice place as others have said. I would only say the number of toilets and showers are low for the number of pitches.

    Watch out for the large rocks by the pitches. One jumped out and ripped off the end of the waste water outlet! Ouch

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    MF
    Mike Fricker's avatar

    Mike Fricker

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great spot, free hot tub and sauna.

    Great value for money staff clearly work very hard to keep the place clean.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Joe's avatar

    Joe

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We had a lovely time here.

    Everything was clean and the spot is just perfect for a walk to the wild life center. There is a bar/restaurant in site that is really good.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in September 2023

    C
    Chloe's avatar

    Chloe

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Stayed in an unpowered site which was only $30-powered site was $10 more so not that expensive.

    It gave access to all facilities, nice hot showers, lounge and a hot tub. Ate at the monsoon restaurant onsite which was not too expensive and food quite good. Only a few minutes walk to shops.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Jimothyhike's avatar

    Jimothyhike

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    OK....$48 powered site for 2.

    Nice greenery. Adequate kitchen but only 2 dining tables in the lounge. Good shower cubicles but beware mensroom lights are on sensor/ timer. So if sitting too long on toilet or in shower U can be stranded in pitch dark till the next visitor arrives.

    Cleanliness spoilt by some messy guests in both kitchen and toilets which took almost 24hrs for staff to address.

    Overall happy and recommend...

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    B
    小B's avatar

    小B

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    All good except very limited facilities

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    MO
    Matt Olejniczak's avatar

    Matt Olejniczak

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good sites with clean facilities.

    Very close to restaurants and the activities.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    L
    Lieke's avatar

    Lieke

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    I think so far the best place we went too.

    Very beautiful place where you get to have your own little spot, surrounded by the forest. You are right in townyet it feels like you are not when in the campsite. Lovely bar and restaurant. Free sauna and spa (though the spa wasnt quite working). The kitchen and lounge was clean, lovely and modern, kettles, toasters were provided. They were no kitchen appliances appart from that. The shower were really comfortable, they were even hairdryers and straighteners! Payed 48 dollars for two people in a powered site which did not seem much given how happy we were with the place!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    J
    Juju's avatar

    Juju

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Friendly team on reception.

    Good pitches with lovely privacy provided by an array of rainforest flora. Good facilities but in need of an update (not heated / hole in ceiling) but bathrooms were nice. There are new facilities coming but not sure when.

    Nice bar on site with free pool table which was fun. Easy access to the main high street. An enjoyable stay (even though it was raining quite hard!).

    Reviewed over 2 years ago

    Ha
    Hannah and Matthew's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Such a great place!

    Friendly and super knowledgeable staff to help find tracks/things to do, really tidy shared spaces, bathrooms were new and free hot showers! They have a hot spa and sauna which are all free for use. All up it was $35 a night for 2 people for a powered site. Highly recommend this place

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

    Lo
    Lucy on the move's avatar

    Lucy on the move

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Pretty holiday park which is nice to walk around.

    The rustic kitchen was nice and the toilet and shower facilities were sufficient.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago and experienced in March 2022

    D
    Darrell's avatar

    Darrell

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good amenities, good rates $35 for 2 people and powered site.

    Showers included in fee. Use of spa.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2021

    S
    Shushan's avatar

    Shushan

    Customer