B5.2.3.2 New Zealand: Backpackers Accommodation
Description
This article is from the New Zealand FAQ, by Phil Stuart-Jones and Lin Nah with numerous contributions by others.
B5.2.3.2 New Zealand: Backpackers Accommodation
There are many different booklets on backpackers accommodation to NZ. They
can be obtained free from the visitor information centres or backpackers.
Only the 2 - 3 more popular guides are available.
During peak season, you only need to book up to a week ahead. However if
you are looking for double rooms or family type rooms in backpackers, you
best book earlier as those are quite scarce. During off peak season
sometimes you can either just turn up or book a day or two ahead.
It is possible to get the backpackers you are at to 'forward book' you to
the next place. Most of them are happy to do it without payment for the
service or charge a minimal fee.
The number of groups catering for backpackers is expanding rapidly with
nice new accommodation being built (at least in Christchurch!). In
Auckland, Wellington, Chch and Queenstown, there are also a couple of
backpackers travel centres.
Other than the YHA card, there's the VIP Backpacker discount card.
The VIP card gives you similar discounts to the YHA card train
and bus seats. There are also other discounts available.
This can be purchased at backpacker travel centres, certain backpacker
hostels (usually the hostels within the VIP chain). The cards are not
available to NZers. For more information try this contact:
Galaxy Holdings Ltd (Trading as VIP Backpacker Resorts Int'l NZ)
9 Fort Street Phone: (+64 9) 357 0177
Auckland Fax: (+64 9) 358 1142
New Zealand email: nztravel@iprolink.co.nz
Prices are normally $8-20/night for a room.
Backpacker accommodation in Chch:
Dreamland 03-3663519 21/23 Packe St
Foley Towers 03-3669720 208 Kilmore St
Stonehurst Hotel 03-3794620 241 Gloucester St
Charlie Browns 03-3798429 268 Madras St
Backpacker accommodation in Auckland:
Parkside Backpackers Inn 09-3098999 189 Park Road, Grafton
Aotea Backpackers Hostel 09-3033350 295 Queen Street, Central
Kiwi Hilton Backpackers 09-3583999 430 Queen Street, Central
Auckland Central Backpackers 09-3584877, fax 09-3584872
cnr Fort Street & Jean Batten Place, Central
Central City Backpackers 09-3585685, fax 09-3584716
26 Lorne Street, Central
The odd thing is that when two of these (Aotea Backpackers Hostel and Kiwi
Hilton Backpackers) were checked recently (3/97), they stated that they
will NOT accommodate NZers, and that people who just turn up get priority
over people who book in advance!
Here are the details of who published guides:
Budget Backpackers Hostels NZ Ltd ( http://www.backpack.co.nz )
This is the main/Blue book with over 200 hostels in it.
Mark Dumble: 99 Titiraupenga St, Taupo, NZ
Phone/fax: (07) 377 1568; email: bbh@clear.net.nz
Eric Foley: 208 Kilmore St, Christchurch, NZ
Phone/fax: (03) 379 3014; email: bbh@backpack.co.nz
NZ Backpacker Hostels Association Ltd
PO BOX 5475, Auckland, NZ
Backpackers Accommodation Down-Under
PO Box 4446, Auckland, NZ
Phone: (09) 303 4482
Fax: (09) 443 8004
ATA (Accommodation Travel Activities)
PO Box 8, Kaikoura, NZ
Phone or fax:(03) 319 5916
(03) 319 5359 (business hours only)
There is an internet resource called The Internet Guide to Hostelling
which, among other things, contains a list of hostels in New Zealand. It
is available via WWW, Gopher, FTP, and Email. The WWW URL is:
http://www.hostels.com/
For information on how to access the guide in other ways send email to:
info@hostels.com.
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