Published Date: 1/13/2023 | January 13, 2023 Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is a beautiful city set in a truly beautiful country. With the Southern Alps looming as a backdrop and a shimmering lake in the foreground, Queenstown has plenty to do. Known as the Adventure Capital of the World, this is where intrepid travelers come to get their blood pumping. It is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country, especially for backpackers. As such, Queenstown boasts a handful of fun, social and affordable lodges! Here are four things you need to remember before choosing a hostel in Queenstown: Location – Queenstown isn’t huge, but it makes life easier when it’s in a location or neighborhood that suits your style and travel plans. Price – As with anywhere, you get what you pay for. If you choose a really cheap hostel, you’ll likely end up with a hostel that’s small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service. Amenities – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Many – but not all – include a free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs. Staff – All of the lodges listed here have great staff who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up the reviews so you have helpful and friendly staff. They can make or break an inn! Here is a list of the best hostels in Queenstown. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, here are the best in each category: Best hostel for budget travelers: Southern Laughter Backpackers Best hostel for solo female travelers: Adventure Queenstown HostelBest Hostel for Adventure Sports Lovers: Adventure Queenstown HostelBest Hostel for Couples: Southern Laughter Backpackers Best Winter Hostel: Black Sheep Backpackers Best All-Inclusive Hostel: Adventure Queenstown Hostel Want details on each hostel? Here’s a breakdown of the best hostels in Queenstown and why I love them: Price legend (per night) $ = under NZD 44 $$ = NZD 45-55 $$$ = over NZD 55 1. Adventure Queenstown Hostel Adventure Queenstown, located just off Camp Street, puts on a different event every night of the week, including quiz and board game nights, scavenger hunts, pub crawls, gala dinners, and more. The hostel is very social and lively, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to meet other travelers (but not the best option if you’re looking for a quiet stay). The staff can book any activity you want, plus they offer free use of GoPros and bikes, and they can even rent skis and snowboards in the winter. The wooden beds are spacious, with thick mattresses and curtains for privacy so you can get a good night’s sleep. There are also lockers under the beds so you can keep your items safe. Queenstown adventure glimpse: $$ Great location in central Queenstown Free bike rentals and GoPro Nightly social activities make it easy to meet a family from NZD45 per night. Book Adventure Queenstown Hostel here! 2. Absoloot Queenstown Hostel The hostel has a large, fully equipped kitchen on the second floor (with more great views), so if you’re on a budget, you’ll be able to cook some meals instead of eating out. The common rooms are spacious and have TVs, board games, book exchanges and video game consoles. Dorm beds come with phone charging ports, privacy curtains, and reading lights directly on your bed — plus under-bed safes. The mattresses are also decent. (If you’re traveling with the family, there’s also a large private room for five.) At a glance: $$ Perfect location in town and right on the lake Fully stocked kitchen so you can cook your own meals. Shared room with video games Bed from 47 NZD per night, private rooms from 208 NZD. Book Absolute Hostel Queenstown Here! 3. The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers This cozy inn has a homey feel. There are three kitchens and a BBQ grill so you can cook your own meals, plus free bikes and a Frisbee to use (so you can play Frisbee golf at the nearby Queenstown Garden course). There’s also free coffee too and the common areas have plenty of books, games and DVDs for when you want to relax. Some of the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms while others have shared bathrooms. The dorm beds are made of wood and each has a privacy curtain, a reading light, and an outlet so you can charge your electronic devices. The mattresses are adequate and the lockers under each bed have outlets to charge your electronic devices while they are stored. A quick glimpse of The Flaming Kiwi: $ Centrally located in Queenstown. Reserve The Flaming Kiwi here! 4. Haka Lodge Located just a block from bustling Camp Street, all of the dorm beds at Haka Lodge are wooden and have privacy curtains, reading lights, (small) cupboards for storage, and electrical outlets. The mattresses are not too thick, but comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep. The hostel has a large common room and a large collection of DVDs for when you want to relax. The kitchen is fully equipped, and there is always free coffee, tea and cold filtered water. Haka Lodge at a glance: $ Excellent location in the heart of Queenstown Fully equipped kitchen Free coffee, tea, chilled water & filter Beds from NZD44 per night, private rooms from NZD250. Book Haka Lodge Queenstown here! 5. Southern Laughter Backpackers Located within walking distance of central Queenstown, Southern Laughter features some unique perks, including a hot tub where you can relax after a busy day of exploring. The hostel also has a lively common room with a large flat-screen TV, self-service laundry facilities and a BBQ area for when the weather is nice. They also offer free soup every night for dinner, which will not only save you money, but is a great way to meet other travelers. The dorms are spacious with adequate mattresses but the beds are basic (cheap metal bunks) and lack privacy curtains. About Southern Laughter Backpackers: Free parking Discounts at bars around town Large common room with TV and board games. Beds from NZD34 per night, private rooms from NZD102. Book Southern Laughter Backpackers here! 6. Black Sheep Backpackers This fun hostel offers pod-type bunk beds with privacy curtains and electrical outlets. It also has a hot tub and sauna, perfect if you are in Queenstown in the winter to ski or snowboard. The common room also has a fireplace, which makes it even more cozy when you’re relaxing with a book. Plus, there’s a free Frisbee, and every Wednesday there’s a free group dinner. The dorms are not very spacious and the bathrooms are a bit small as well. However, the wooden bunk beds are comfortable enough and have curtains for privacy, reading lights, and power outlets. Black Sheep Backpackers at a Glance: Free Dinner Sauna and Hot Tub. Fully equipped kitchen beds from NZD60 per night, private rooms from NZD250. Book Black Sheep Backpackers here! *** With free perks like bike rentals, GoPro cameras, tons of social activities, and stunning lake views, the above hostels can help you save money and ensure you have a fun, safe, and budget-friendly stay in New Zealand’s capital of adventure. Book your flight to New Zealand: logistical tips and tricks Book your flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines all over the world so you will always know that no stone is left unturned! Reserve your accommodationYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld because they have the largest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they constantly show the cheapest rates for cheap guesthouses and hotels. If you’re looking for more places to stay, here’s a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand. Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you from illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It is comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and the best value are: Are you looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list everything I use to save money when I’m on the road. They’ll save you money when you travel, too. Want more information about New Zealand? Be sure to visit our robust New Zealand destination guide for more planning tips!
