Wanaka is a small little town in Otago and no matter where you stay in town, you’re going to be surrounded by stunning nature, close to epic hikes, and of course near the famous Lake Wanaka!
The hostels here in Wanaka are great – especially if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in town or just looking to meet other travellers and backpackers.
One of our favourite things about staying in hostels in New Zealand (and anywhere else for that matter) is the community aspect of things! Meeting fun people and doing organized and spontaneous activities like group hikes, dinners, and game nights makes it a blast staying at hostels!
In this post, we’ve listed out three of the best and most budget-friendly hostels in Wanāka!
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The best hostels for your stay in Wānaka
Wanaka is a smaller town on the south island of New Zealand but it does get a constant flow of tourists because of how beautiful it is and how conveniently it’s located near to an international airport. That’s also why you’ve got some epic hostels in town.
We love Wanaka and continue coming back here because of all the fun activities and awesome hikes in the area – including Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak, and even the Lake Wanaka Lookout just to name a few!
Below, we’ve highlighted the three best hostels in town (based on personal experience and user rating) and why each hostel is unique in its own way.
Since everything here in Wanaka is walkable and close by, location does not play a big factor, so when you book, you can mostly just focus on which pricepoint and vibe feels best to you.
The cost of hostels in New Zealand has sadly gone up over the years like everything else but if you’re on a budget or just looking to meet some backpacker friends then these 3 hostels in town are your best option for Wanaka.
Not on a budget? Read our guide on the best hotels in Wānaka here.
Also read: 3 Days in Wānaka: The Perfect Itinerary
#1 Adventure Wanaka Hostel
💰 Price: $50+ NZD per night
📍 Location: Downtown Wanaka, NZ
⭐️ User rating: 9.5
👉🏼 Check out Adventure Wanaka’s prices & availability here
Adventure Wanaka is one of the newest hostels in town! The outdoor space at this hostel is pretty awesome, so during the summer months when you come back from a hike or a swim in the lake, you can enjoy the sun in the outdoor area.
A fun fact about this place is that it’s actually the same owners as the Adventure Hostels in Queenstown. They’ve refurbished the whole place and done it up really nicely and made it feel like home for any backpacker during their stay here in Wānaka.
Everything from the bunks to the common rooms is well designed and it’s a great hostel to stay at in Wanaka!
What makes Adventure Wanaka Hostel unique?
Adventure Wanaka is meant for backpackers and travellers who are looking for like-minded people and fun activities. With in-house activities 7 days a week, there are plenty of fun things to do at the hostel with the other backpackers!
Check out their pricing and availability here.
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#2 Haka House Wānaka
💰 Price: $70+ NZD per night
📍 Location: Downtown Wanaka, NZ
⭐️ User rating: 8.5
👉🏼 Check out Haka House Wānaka’s prices & availability here
Haka House (formerly known as YHA Hostel Wanaka) is a nice hostel in town that caters to all sorts of travellers. Like the other hostels in Wānaka, it’s perfectly located a short distance from the lake and close to all the cafes in Wanaka.
There’s a nice variety of rooms from privates (sell out quickly) to dorms with bunk beds which gives you a good variety of options during your time here in Wanaka – whether you’re staying for a few nights or longer!
It’s also a great place if you’re looking for a community of other people to go explore with. Despite not having a bar, the hostel is very social, the staff is super friendly, and it’s pretty tidy which (in our opinion) is a big bonus!
What makes the YHA Wanaka Hostel unique?
The Haka House offers a great balance of community, comfort, and cleanliness. Great if you want to be social while (maybe) still staying in a private room!
Check out their pricing and availability here.
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#3 Mountain View Backpackers Wanaka Hostel
💰 Price: $50+ NZD per night
📍 Location: 3-minute walk from downtown Wanaka, NZ
⭐️ User rating: 9.1
👉🏼 Check out Mountain View Backpackers’ prices & availability here
The Mountain View Backpackers is probably the most quaint and cozy hostel out of the three on this list. There is only room for 30 people at Mountain View and it’s a really good vibe!
The hostel has everything from a nice outdoor area where you can BBQ to a hangout room inside where you can puzzle or play board games! If you’re traveling New Zealand solo or with a friend then this is a great hostel to stay at on the south island!
What makes the Mountain View Backpacker Hostel unique?
Small and cozy hostel that was once a 1930s home and is now converted into a quaint hostel in Wanaka!
Check out their pricing and availability here.
You may also like…
- Wānaka Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- 5 Stunning Hikes to Do in Wanaka, New Zealand
- Exploring the Beautiful Mou Waho Island in Lake Wānaka
- 3 Days in Wānaka: The Perfect Itinerary
- How to Get From Queenstown to Wānaka
Conclusion on the best hostels in Wanaka, New Zealand
If you’re planning to spend some time in this part of New Zealand, you can’t miss this beautiful little mountain town. We personally suggest spending at least 3 days in Wanaka, but if you only have 1 to 2 nights, it’s still worth a visit!
The hostels are great, there are tons of delicious coffee shops, amazing hikes in the area, and a beautiful lake just a stone-throw away. What’s not to absolutely love about this little paradise!?
If you have questions about booking your hostel or anything else related to Wanaka and New Zealand, you can send us a DM on Instagram @redwhiteadventures or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
Have the best time in New Zealand and enjoy this beautiful area of the south island!
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