(Being our personal opinions of the places we stayed and the commercial activities
we used. They reflect the impressions we formed at the time that we were there.
Others may have a differing opinion of the same facilities/activities.)
Note: The Budget Backpackers Hostels / BBH guide ranks all its member hostels
using results of an annual survey census of customers. Motel, Hotel, Campground
associations and NZAA tour books also provide various types of ratings, but
usually based on information provided by their members or advertisers rather
than by their customers. Each system has its own advantages.
You may also find internet addresses ("URL" for knowledgeable nerds) for many of
these listings on the "Links" page. We found that few of these operations were able to
respond promptly to e-mail queries, if you require prompt confirmation, it is better
to phone for reservations. Popular spots always require reservations during peak
season and these smaller operations are usually stretched pretty thinly. Therefore,
a phone call to confirm is good insurance towards the room you desire. Luckily,
even those that had not provided confirmation to our e-mail requests
had ALL noted our requests for reservations and had good rooms waiting ready for
us when we arrived.
We have been asked why we made a point of identifying those that we found had owners
on-site or as hosts. The reason was that we got the impression that owners as hosts
seemed to set a higher tone for the entire operation as compared to those (usually) larger operations
where the owners were invisible. That said, the employees at nearly all the places
we stayed appeared to have been hired because of their abilities as hosts and/or
local knowledge. New Zealand excels as hosts and treats travellers well.
Auckland - Bamber House (the best budget accom. in Auckland, pool)
22 View Rd., Mt. Eden, Auckland
ph (09) 623-4267 Bamberhouse website
email: bamber@ihug.co.nz
Auckland - Oaklands Lodge (affiliated with Bamber House)
5A Oaklands Rd., Mt. Eden, Auckland
ph (800) 222-725 Oaklands website
email: info@oaklands.co.nz
Waiheke Island - Hekura Lodge Backpackers (owner/host; pool, spa, forested quiet)
11 Hekura Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
ph (09) 372-8990 Hekura website
email: hekura@ihug.co.nz
Auckland city buses - great value; a day pass unnecessary unless you are going
to do a lot of short hops; some transfers and connections between routes are
inconvenient. Buses infrequent on Sundays and night runs. All drivers helpful.
Hauraki Gulf - at the very least, take the ferry from Auckland to Devonport
for the day. A cheap harbour tour is to take the Auckland to Bucklands ferry.
Kaihu - Kaihu Farm (owner/host farm adjacent native bush, forest walks)
RD6, Dargaville ph 09 43904004
Opononi. - Rawene ferry - great value, good service, short trip.
Kohukohu - The Tree House (owner/host, rural, very quiet, orchard and
hilltop accom, "Piglet" the huge pet pig)
Kohukohu, Hokianga Harbour ph (09) 405-5855
Kohukohu website
email:tree.house@xtra.co.nz
Henderson Bay - North Wind Lodge (one of the best! wild coast and beach walks;
good owner/hosts; rental house may also be available, enquire)
Otalpango Rd., Henderson Bay, RD4, Kaitaia
ph (09) 409-8515 email: northwindlodge@xtra.co.nz
Houhora - Ancient Kauri Kingdom - a commercial shop, but interesting woodworks
Waganer Museum and campground - a vast collection of collections, from kauri
gum and old jewellery to chamberpots and antique machinery.
Kahoe - Kahoe Farms Hostel (infectious sports buff owner/host and pizza chef;
sailing and soccer fans)
RD2, Kaeo ph (09) 405-1804 email: kahoefarms@xtra.co.nz
Paihia - Tommy's (owner/host, quiet oasis amid Pahia's party hussle)
44 Davis Crescent, Paihia
ph (09) 402-8668 email: tommys@xra.co.nz
Waitangi grounds and great waka (canoe) used to be free to the public with
entrance fee required only to the Treaty House. The largest war canoe in the
world is a treasure of Maori craftsmanship. (see Pahia). However, the required
fee to the entire site beginning 2002 is a relatively expensive ripoff for
families unless they desparately want to include the much less interesting
Treaty House in their tour. Museums and other Maori exhibits throughout New
Zealand offer cheaper ways to learn of the important Waitangi treaty.
Paihia or Russell - Fuller's Cream Trip - Friendly, knowledgeable Captain and
crew make this Bay of Island cruise to Islands and Hole in the Wall justifiably
famous. Fullers website
We recommend that you take a lunch with you so that you can spend the lunch
break on Urupukapuka Island walking about - or stay overnight or longer at the
hostel and really enjoy this beautiful island.
Russell - The End of the Road (owner/host; small, crowd-free accom. on edge of
town)
24 Brind Rd. Russell
ph (09) 403-7632 email: 100373.344@compuserve.com
Whangarei - Tropicana Holiday Park (modern large well-equipped campsite and
motel units)
Whangarei Heads Rd RD4, Whangarei
ph. (09) 436-0687 email: tropicanahp@xtra.co.nz
Coromandel Penninsula
Coromandel Town - Lions Den (one of our favourites: wonderful hostess/owner, giant hammock and
seafood feasts)
126 Te Tiki St., Coromandel Town
ph (07) 866-8157 or 866-8996
Whitianga - On the Beach/Coromandel Backpackers Lodge -(another best! modern
motel type accom., great owner/hosts, super doubles and facilities)
46 Buffalo Beach Rd., Whitianga
ph (07) 866-5380 On the Beach website
email: corobkpk@wave.co.nz
Whangamata - Garden Motor Lodge & Tourist Lodge (clean, decently equipped,
spartan and modern, but because of the design, every sound from the kitchen
and common rooms seems to travel to the bedrooms)
Port Rd. at Mayfair Ave., Whangamata
ph (07) 865-9580 Garden Lodge website
email: gardenlodge@xtra.co.nz
Waihi Beach/Island View - Sea Air Motel and Motor Home Park (modern,
immaculate and quiet)
Emerton Road, Waihi Beach, RD1, Katikati
ph (07) 863-5655 email: sea-air@paradise.net.nz
East Cape
Opotiki - Central Oasis Backpackers (crowded, cluttered, quiet, minimal
kitchen, clean bedroom, huge old bathrooms)
30 King St. Opotiki
ph (07) 315-5165 e-mail: centraloasis@hotmail.com
Tokomaru Bay - Brian's Place (owner/host Brian is a treat, his horse
treks are well run and good value - recommended, clean and quiet)
PO Box 20, Tokomaru Bay ph (06) 864-5870
Morere - Peacock Lodge (owner/host; old farmhouse and annex undergoing
renovation, pet pig)
Morere, Northern Hawkes Bay
ph (06) 837-8824 email: peacocklodge@xtra.co.nz
Napier - Archie's Bunker (owner/host; downtown, incredibly quiet for
a big place, central, near area's best fish and chips)
14 Herschell St. Napier
ph (06) 833-7990 email: archiesbunker@xtra.co.nz
Cape Kidnapper
Gannet Beach Adventures (highly recommended. Open tractor/trailor trip
along surf beach to world's largest mainland gannet colony; entertaining
knowledgable guide/drivers; an essential tour for bird lovers; closed
during breeding season July to October)
Gannet Beach website
Palmerston North - Ann Keith Budget Hotel & Hostel (disinterested host,
roomy but decrepit hostel needs renovation; Hotel B&B appeared very nice)
146 Grey St., Palmerston North
ph (06) 358-6928 Ann Keith website
email: beds@backpackersnbnb.co.nz
Wanganui / Whanganui - Tamara Backpackers (owner/hosts; super riverfront
balcony; renovated old house and modern annex)
24 Somme Parade, Wanganui
ph (06) 347-6300 Tamara website
email: tamarabakpak@paradise.net.nz
Foxton - Foxton Windmill - entrance by donation, worth it for the enthusiasm
of its volunteers
Paraparaumu - Barnacles Seaside Inn (Historic 1923 seaside hotel, antiques, abyssmal
kitchen, needs renovation, clean waterfront room furnished with antiques)
3 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach
ph (04) 902-5856 email: lin&lois@xtra.co.nz
Paekakeriki - Paekakeriki Backpackers (owner/hosts; lovely rooms, hilltop overlooking
the beach, steep walkway)
11 Wellington Rd., Paekakeriki
ph (04) 902-5967 email: paekakbackpack@paradise.net.nz
Plimmerton - Moana Lodge (the best hostel in New Zealand!! and a dishwasher
in the kitchen! super owners/hosts John and Helen, absolutely excellent facilities)
49 Moana Rd., Plimmerton
ph (04) 233-2010 moanalodge website
email: moanalodge@clear.net.nz
Wellington
Rugby International Super Sevens Championships - insane sports fans, super teams,
world class event; tickets must be purchased immediately when they go on sale
Sevens website
Masterton - Chanel Court Motel and Backpackers (good staff, hostel is awful,
motel adequate)
14 Herbert St., Masterton
ph (06) 378-2877 email: chanelcourtmotel@xtra.co.nz
Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing Championships - all things wooly is a 'must do'
for the finals day, wow! Advance tickets required only for finals.
Golden Shears website
Taupo - Rainbow Lodge (big, well run, crowded kitchen, popular with bus groups)
99 Titiraupenga St., Taupo
ph (07) 378-5754 email: rainbowlodge@clear.net.nz
Rotorua - Kiwi Paka YHA
(big, and noisy, but well-run; next to fabulous park and public pools;
under-equipped kitchen, bus groups)
60 Tarewa Road, Rotorua
ph (07) 347-0931 email: stay@kiwipaka-yha.co.nz
Rotorua New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute - the best; Good introduction
to Maori arts and crafts, morning tickets
provide entry into noon song and haka demonstration. Introductory tour of grounds,
steam, mud and geyser sites by tram followed by free time to explore the site on
your own.
NZ Maori A&C Inst. website
Waitomo Caves - (many caving activities)
Blackwater Rafting - DO THIS! - a fun introduction to New Zealand's caves,
floating on an inner tube underground through a cavern. Safe, professional,
personal service.
blackwater rafting website
Otorohanga - Oto-Kiwi Lodge (small, clean, quiet, great host/owner; popular
with musicians)
1 Sangro Crescent, Otorohanga.
ph (07) 873-6022 email: oto-kiwi@xtra.co.nz
The Interisland Line ferry service - worth advance contact and seeking
discount fares:
InterIsland website
Picton - The Villa (big, quiet, clean, affiliated with adjacent Bougainvillea
Lodge. Good information services. Small lounge)
34 Auckland St., Picton
ph (03) 573-6598
villa website
email: stay@thevilla.co.nz
Picton Wine Tour - excellent, booked through the hostel. Spent the
afternoon touring vineyards with the self-proclaimed (but knowledgeable)
"Pommy from Picton" coach driver.
Christchurch - Dorset House (huge 1871 house adjacent to large Park, Avon R.,
clean quiet, good facilities)
1 Dorset St., Christchurch
ph (03) 366-8268 Dorset House website
email: dorsethouse@cyberxpress.co.nz
Lake Tekapo - Tailor-Made-Tekapo Backpackers (fairly large, quiet, basic)
9-11 Aorangi Crescent, Box 94, Lake Tekapo 8770
ph (03) 680-6700 email tailor-made-backpackers@xtra.co.nz
Te Anau - Steamers Beach Backpackers (huge motel, campground, backpackers
complex in a great location, terribly under-equipped kitchen)
1 Te Anau-Manapuri Rd., Te Anau
ph (0800) 483-628 Steamer's website
email: steamers@destinationnz.com
Milford Sound - Red Boat Cruises - one of several operators,
thoroughly enjoyable - advance reservations necessary; recommend that
you day-trip to Milford Sound from Te Anau. Day-trips from Wanaka or
Queenstown are just too far, too long.
ph (0800) 657-4444 Red Boat website
Glenorchy - Dart River Jet Boat Safari (affiliated with Shotover
Canyon Jet Boats) Shotover is in a canyon, Dart is up a broad glacial
mountain valley; includes a 30 minute easy walk on the start of the
Dart/Routeburn walk and the usual jet boat hijinks. Friendly, knowledgeable
operators. Safe for all ages.
Dart Jet website
Kinloch - Kinloch Lodge (owner/hosts; remote 1868 lodge and backpackers
being renovated, good facilities, lakefront and many happy outdoor lakefront
insects) Hosts, John and Toni, and two golden retrievers, Sampson and Delilah
862 Kinloch Rd. Kinloch, Glenorchy
ph (03) 442-4900 Kinloch Lodge web site
email: reservations@kinlochlodge.co.nz
Wanaka - Matterhorn South Lodge (owner/hosts; lovely, clean, well-equipped
lake-front hostel and lodge)
55 Brownston St., Wanaka
ph (03) 443-1119 email: matterhorn@xtra.co.nz
Westcoast
Haast - Wilderness Backpackers (another favourite: super roofed internal conservatory,
clean, quiet refuge from wind and sand flies; a treat)
PO Box 68, Haast
ph (0800) 750-029
Okarito - Royal Hostel (owner/hosts Rosanne and Tony Gray; the most
relaxed hostel in NZ; minimal facilities, a bird watcher or fishing delight, remote)
The Strand, Okarito
ph (03) 753-4080
Westport - Robyn's Nest Hostel (owner/host Robyn and Alan; lovely old home being restored;
clean, quiet, spacious, good facilities)
42 Romilly St. Westport
ph (03) 789-6565 email: robyns.nest@xtra.co.nz
Motueka/ Marahu - Southern Exposure Backpackers (new, small, secluded, clean,
quiet; especially suited for kayakers)
Moss Rd., Marahau, RD2, Motueka
ph (03) 527-8424 south-exp website
email: info@southern-exposure.co.nz
Southern Exposure Sea Kayaks - 1-3 day guided kayak tours of Abel Tasman
National Park - Very professional guides and good equipment suited to
all levels of expertise. Best way to see some of Abel Tasman's spectacular
beaches. Bug Dope required in evenings.
ph (0800) 695-292 south-exp website
email: info@southern-exposure.co.nz
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