This was my first time ever staying at a hostel so I don't have anything to compare it to, but…read morethere definitely are some pros and cons to Base Auckland! Pro's: - Great location; situated right on Queen Street and a quick walk to basically anything in CBD or on the water (ferries, Britomart, Sky Tower) - Sky Bus shuttle from the airport drops off/picks up right outside - Has a rooftop bar + Habana Joe's backpackers bar right next to the entrance (depending on how you see you it could be a fun night or a noisy night if you're trying to get some rest) - Reception is open 24/7 - Beds are comfortable - Free wifi, but password changes everyday so you have to check the sign at reception Con's: - Showers and toilets are in seperate rooms - Showers are kinda gross and one of the shower's on my floor didn't have a door (also please don't forget flip flops...I did and uhhh yeah) - Reception can get busy with long wait times - Walls are paper thin- you can basically hear people's convos in the next room Overall, I was in a four person mixed dorm and I liked it! There's nothing bad to say about it and met some great people who were coming and going. I can't comment on Base's other amenities since I never used them (laundry, kitchen, breakfast, travel/job services) but I would consider Base if I'm ever in Auckland again.

This review is long overdue! Now that I've had time to settle after my backpacking experience, it's…read moretime to get typing. Full disclosure: I refused to stay at Base when I was in Australia because I'd heard the worst (party, drunken brits, unhelpful staff, etc ad nauseam), but in Auckland there's not a huge wealth of hostel options so I gave Base a go. Location: The hostel is right across from Macca's (oh hello soft serve my old 4am friend) and Starbucks (oh hello shoddy wifi and much-needed caffeine) and Domino's ($5 pizzas are a food group when you backpack ok) and Countdown (grocery store). It's a few blocks away from the harbour and main bus pick-up (InterCity, Manabus), and has a close drop-off/pick up for the airport shuttle SkyBbus. Kiwi and Stray buses pick up right downstairs. Westpac is under the hostel (easy ATM access), and there's everything you need within walking distance. Staff: I can't say the staff are particularly welcoming or accommodating, but they're running a mammoth of a reception, so I can't judge too much (I know what it's like being a hostel receptionist he-yo). Checking time is... you'll need a drink at the Sunshine Bar after, lemme tell you. Services: The job centre is soooo not worth your money. They didn't find me a job (didn't expect them to but I have a blog to write, so I gave it a go because reasons). For a first time backpacker, I think Base can be really overwhelming, but I don't think you need the guidance of the job centre to help you with your forms and bank account, etc. For people who have roughed it through Australia already (or elsewhere), y'all be alright without dropping money on this. Facilities: Closing the kitchen? Nah, I'm not about that life. Communal facilities are eh? Like, they're spacious, but there's really just one big area that consists of computers, couches, travel desk, job centre. To access laundry and kitchen, you need your key card (doesn't keep people from stealing the leftover pizza or milk). There's huge amount of traffic at this hostel (it's massive), which means that 24hr access to facilities has to be a thing. You can't cram everyone in before 11pm. Not to mention people with hospitality jobs usually get home around that time...? Rooms: I stayed in four types of rooms - private double (no windows, dude), four share mixed (huge windows but so run down), four share female (tiny bedroom), and eight share female (best of all). Level 7 has Sanctuary rooms - female only, which (at the time) cost $200/wk. Whether you'll be in a 4-share or 8-share is ~unknown~. I must say, the beds are comfortable, and all the bunks have locker space below. All in all, it's not bad night's sleep if you're lucky. The lack of windows in certain rooms was just -- I never wanted to know what living in a submarine feels like, but thanks. Also, if you're staying towards the lower floors / front of the hostel, you WILL hear the music from Habana Joe's. Habana Joe's: Base's seedy -but fun at times- backpacker hub club. Usually will be part of the Thursday, city-wide pub crawl. You get vouchers when you check in. Those blue jars should come with warning labels. RE: Sanctuary It is advertised as being a female only safe space. It isn't. The rooms are female only, but the floor is shared, and showers are not separate. Some roommates I had were upset by this, and I understand why. Guys hanging out in the little (fancy) Sanctuary lounge didn't help things either. If you advertise a safe space, you have to deliver in full. Sanctuary (and the price) would be worth it if the entire floor was women's only. I stayed here quite some time, on and off. It's not my favourite, but there were many positive aspects of it (namely proximity, price, and comfortable beds) that were worth returning if my favourite place (The Attic) was booked out. Tips: Bring earplugs (doors bang and Habana Joe's). Expect to wait for the elevators (three, no stair access unless you want to set off the alarm - oops). Request a room with window, else you might end up sharing a shoebox with strangers (which can be fun, but you gotta be willing.) Premium internet ($15/wk I think) isn't really... worth it? Head over to the Library for free 1GB.

This YHA is just off Queen St, providing easy walking access to the core of Auckland. There are a…read morefew YHA-operated paid parking spots available but they have to be booked in advance. The double private ensuite room I stayed in was quite clean, and interestingly, during my stay some of the furniture was actually replaced with new ones as part of a hostel-wide makeover. Note that the room didn't have its own hair dryer, the nearest was in a shared bathroom. This differs from YHA Lake Tekapo which has a hair dryer in the ensuite rooms.

I believe this Hostel was recently renovated. We checked in after a very long fight with two small…read morechildren from Hawaii. Front staff was friendly and accommodating to a family with two small boys, let's just say they don't get too many boys under 18. They Quickly helped us find a parking spot in their small lot out front for $15 New Zealand. ($30 deposit) They even searched high and low and called other hostels to find us the one crib for our two year old they had. She brought it up that night and helped my husband set it up. The crowd is a typical hostel crowd with lots of 18 to 26-year-olds from all over the world. Also, a couple what seem like retirees from Spain and Britain. The crowd is quieter & more well behaved than what I'm used to in hostels. Of course the last time I stayed in a hostel it was probably 1998 in Amsterdam. They have a beautiful commercial type kitchen. There is laundry on site & a game room in the basement. The room is very small, basically our bed, but it was perfect for our family for one night after a long fight. The price was right! (~$50 US) The bathrooms and showers are actually private. I loved the stainless steel shower stall, HOT water & Strong pressure. The breakfast situation wasn't great as nothing is open till late 9ish on Sundays & my kids were starving & up at 0600. We loved dinner in the Stables. We would stay again.

Pretty normal and standard YHA. It's a couple of k's from the harbour though. There are other…read morehostels much closer to the harbour and the train station. Plus, if walking from the city centre to this hostel, it's a bit of an uphill walk. Internet is expensive. The city library is less than 1 km away, and free. There are lockers available, but they're expensive as well. I had a problem here due to being given wrong information by one of their staff members. After everything was all sorted out, nobody even apologised. I asked for my e-mail address to be given to the owner, thus giving the owner a chance to apologise, but he didn't. I don't mind the fact that mistakes are made. It's what happens after those mistakes that separates the good guys from the bad ones.

Pretty standard fare for a backpacker/ hostel type stay. One of the bonuses is the location, right…read morein the central city and its pretty safe and secure and best of all clean! When I first arrived in the city, I stayed here for two weeks while I was looking for somewhere permanent to live and it was a perfectly pleasant base to centre my search from, close to everything an within easy walking distance of all major Auckland attractions. The mix of people staying here is always really eclectic and different and I met many different travelers on my sojourns to the communal spaces in the hostel (I.e the kitchen, bathroom/showers and laundry room). The people who man the desk are always quick to point out good travel advice, things happening in the city etc, which is awesome. When I stayed here, I rented a room with a double room that was tidy, lockable and even had a nice view out the window all for almost peanuts! And if you want even cheaper you could go for one of the communal rooms, not really my thing however. The only dampener on my stay was having to venture down to the damp, dark laundry on the bottom floor which reminded me of something out of the movie Saw and the creepy guy in the room next to mine.

We stayed at JUCY for one night after just arriving in New Zealand. We were able to book a private…read moreroom with its own bathroom for a very reasonable price. When we got into Auckland it was later than we'd expected but we were still able to check in quickly. The atmosphere is very striking with the lime green walls, vibrant colors, and adorable logo. The room we stayed in was old with a little bed and a lot of staining on floors and walls, very old carpeting, and an awkward old open shower and bathroom. The linen all seemed clean but it had definitely had its use. The photos of other JUCY locations show freshly painted vibrant walls, new looking pods and rooms, and modern design. From what we saw of this particular location it was lacking these renovations. We slept well enough but the walls are very thin so you do hear every door open and close down the corridor; however, I think if you are a super light sleeper or bothered by noise, hostiles may be challenging for you in general. The staff was friendly, the coffee in the morning was enjoyable, and the room rate was very affordable. Overall it wasn't a bad place to stay but it would have been nice to have stayed in a more modern JUCY location.

Great location, clean, and comfortable beds. We got in pretty late and the front desk was very…read moreaccommodating . We had the three twin bed room and it was very spacious. We had a lot of bags with us, so it was nice to be able to rearrange our stuff and get reorganized. Parking is in the garage below the building, but very safe and well lite. Would stay here again.

The location of this backpackers on Waitangi Island is spectacular, and while there is not much of…read morea view from the actual hostel, it's only a short walk down to the beautiful Onetangi Beach. When I say a short walk, there are actually like 200 stairs to descend, but it doesn't take very long and the beach is worth the walk. It's climbing back up which is the shit part anyway. The backpackers itself doesn't have that much going for it in terms of the actual rooms and the condition of the place, but it is a backpackers don't forget, and it is cheap; You can't really expect a resort. The Staff are nice, and I met some good people here. As there are not many cheap accommodation options on Waiheke Island, this hostel is a decent and inexpensive place to stay.

From the owner: Kina Backpackers provides true value for money on Waiheke Island, 35 minutes from downtown…read moreAuckland, New Zealand. It's your very own piece of paradise. Formally known as Waiheke Island Hostel, the backpackers is now leased by Erin & Luke. Kina Backpackers offers million dollar views for the budget conscious, the location cannot be beat! Enjoy the big sea views over Onetangi from the large front lawn where you can have a bbq with friends or relax with a book in the hammock. Wake up to the sound of the seagulls or Tui's and head down the hill for a walk or run along Onetangi Beach (with its 2.5 K of beautiful white sand) to end up at a local beachside cafe for a morning coffee. Enjoy an afternoon stroll to one (or two) of several award winning Waiheke Island vineyards for wine tasting or bite to eat. Miro/Casita Miro, Obsidian, The Hay Paddock, Stonyridge,and Te Motu vineyards or sample a the local boutique brew at Wild on Waiheke they are all within walking distance.

This is the least pretentious bar you will find in central Auckland, really it's a fun, down to…read moreearth backpackers bar. Sure does represent the world if you have a drink at this little bar on Fort street, talk to your fellow neighbour you're bound to learn a few new things of the world around you. Great way to make a few new friends from around the world, just you might not remember who they were the next day. They have happy hour specials during the week, which is always great for a catch up with a mate, and are close enough to a strip of other bars and clubs should you feel like a bar crawl. Great music and a fun atmosphere.

Where to start…read more.... Everything about the Fat Camel is unreal. The front desk staff were happy to accommodate to any needs/concerns, there was a free meal (snack portion size, but could upgrade for a couple dollars), there was a bar in the hostel with nightly events (beer pong/bar crawl/trivia and so on...), it is right downtown with plenty to do just a walk away. The Fat Camel is by far my most favourite hostel in all of New Zealand. If you are looking to make some friends/travel buddies this is the spot to do that. The BEST accommodation.

OMG what a discovery. I was excited to see that we were going on a tramp to a waterfall when I was…read morerecently at camp with my daughter and what an amazing place it turned out to be. I know there's a lot of secret little places in the Piha/Karekare area and this is one of them. Although I've since discovered that most people I've talked to already know about it. Oh well. If you drive to the end of Glenesk Road in Piha the tramp is clearly signposted. The walk is fairly steep in places and takes about 45 minutes (many more with many many children in tow) each way. I thought I was fairly fit and coped really well at the time but my legs felt like jelly at the end and I literally couldn't walk properly for several days - something to do with the steps coming down and the way they affect your calf muscles. Anyway, whatever, it's SO worth it. Remember this though: go right at the fork and come back on the other side (doing an anticlockwise loop). Trust me if we had done the reverse I'm not sure I would have made it out. If you go in the morning as we did the water in the pool will be freezing cold - I truly thought I was having a heart attack. Later in the day the sun comes over the cliff-face which I imagine would warm it up a bit. There's also an amazing rock canyon just down from the swimming hole that can be abseiled into. Just having a peek down there blows your mind, it's very cool. This is one of those idyllic Auckland spots that just has to be seen to be believed and the walk through the bush is so peaceful, even as you are killing your legs.

Very nice & sweet trail. Felt like I was at Rain Forest Cafe in America! :) would definitely come…read moreback for this hike again. Walking through nice green scenery while listening the the streams made my mine clear up a bit from stressful life back at home. Much needed vacation and throughly enjoyed my time at the Kitekite Trail & Falls!