16 Hostels in Queenstown, New Zealand

About Queenstown

You’re either on this page because a.) you’ve never been to Queenstown, but you’ve heard it’s a reaaaaal good time, b.) you’ve been and you’re ready for round 2/3/4 of a real good time or, c.) you’re procrastinating from doing something and searching for your next trip seems like a good idea to you. Let’s face it, a trip to Queenstown - the adventure capital of New Zealand, is never a bad idea. You’ll be surprised with the number of things to do and Queenstown’s hostels.

Queenstown boasts some pretty great hostels, including hostels in the city centre where you’ll find yourself immersed in the town and its vibes. Adding to the hostels in Queenstown is a new pod hostel that opened its doors in April 2018, creating a new type of experience for backpackers. Be sure to double check that your Queenstown hostel has ski storage space if you’re planning to travel during the ski season. Also, get booking ASAP as hostels book out fast, especially in the winter months.

If you are planning to make your way down to Queenstown for the snow season, then choosing a Queenstown hostel along the main road in town will make your life a whole lot easier, no one enjoys lugging ski’s or a board up a hill (or more than 20m, let’s be honest). This will allow you to save money on taxi’s after a big night on the town by conveniently walking (or stumbling) home.

If it's not obvious by now, you will not find yourself lost for things to do while you’re in Queenstown, no matter the length of your stay. In the winter Queenstown turns into a mini winter wonderland with stunning snow-capped mountains. From winter sports to bungy jumping to skydiving to jet boat rides through a canyon to funyaking on the Dart River, you won’t find yourself short of things to do. For a more mellow day hop on a day tour to Milford Sound and allow the fords to put your ‘worries’ into perspective. Not to mention, come nightfall Queenstown puts on some impressive nightlife with pub crawls on 5 nights of the week!

Owing to Queenstown’s size getting around by foot is the best way to go. If you want to explore further out, hire bikes - push or electric (for those not so keen on working the calves) to adventure to one of the many bike tracks in and around the town and its picture-perfect mountains. Buses are your form of transport in terms of getting to and from the ski slopes unless you rent your own car. If you do this, be sure you know how to put chains on your wheels during the winter months.