Accommodation ▷ Private Accommodation ▷

Backpackers

Get Yourself a Base Worth Coming Back To

Backpackers in New Zealand run the full spectrum, from big-city party hostels to genuinely special lodges tucked away in the middle of nowhere. The ones that stick with you tend to be the latter. In Marlborough, places like Hopewell Lodge are worth a night or two away from the van if you want something a bit more memorable than a powered site. These spots accessed through Picton are some of the top overnight highlights in the region, full stop.

South Island Is Where It Gets Good

Down south, Te Anau is the smart base for Fiordland. Staying here keeps you ahead of the tour bus crowd and puts you right on the lake. The Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park is a solid pick if you want that lakefront outlook. Over in Queenstown, Creeksyde has been doing it well for a long time. Short walk into town through the reserve, good facilities, no drama.

Further north, there are decent backpacker options worth knowing about too. Waitomo has a good YHA if you're doing the caves, and Wellington has a couple of solid ones right in the thick of things, like Hotel Waterloo and The Cambridge. My honest take is that backpackers in NZ are best when they're in a place with a reason to be there, not just cheap beds in a forgettable town.

277 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 1 of 10.

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

4.8 6 reviews

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

4.7 133 reviews

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

4.7 3 reviews

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

4.7 3 reviews

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

4.7 3 reviews

North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷

4.6 39 reviews

At Stratford Holiday Park, there are powered and non-powered sites available, communal showers, toilets, kitchen, tv lounge and dump station available...

Tiny

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

4.6 7 reviews

Children's playground and trampoline

North Island ▷ Northland ▷

4.6 43 reviews

Camp Waipu Cove is everything you want your holiday to be!

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

4.6 40 reviews

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷

4.6 2 reviews

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷

4.5 251 reviews

Million Dollar Views of Lake Te Anau and Mountains of Fiordland from Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and Motels.

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

4.5 59 reviews

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

4.5 2 reviews

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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷

4.5 28 reviews

Rotorua’s family friendly holiday park. A bed for every budget with motel style units, cabins and powered sites for camper vans and tents 🏕🌅🚐

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

4.5 3 reviews

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

4.5 3 reviews

North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷

4.5 1 review

North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

4.5 1 review

South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷

4.5 1 review

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷

4.4 23 reviews

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

4.4 11 reviews

South Island ▷ Southland ▷

4.4 10 reviews