Where to Accommodation in Punakaiki for Backpackers
Most tourists see Punakaiki as a place to stop to see the Pancake Rocks and continue on their merry way. But did you know there is so much to do in Punakaiki?!
Punakaiki is on the edge of the Paparoa National Park, featuring the Paparoa Track Great Walk, horse riding tours, kayaking on the river, hiking, bone carving, knife making… and so much more – just see the 10 Best Things to Do in Punakaiki!
With that in mind, you’ll want to stay awhile but save on the cents for all of those amazing experiences. So here we have, what we consider, the best backpacker hostels in Punakaiki!
Ok, so Punakaiki doesn’t exactly have five hostels, it only has two. Nevertheless, we have listed hostels a short drive from Punakaiki to show you more options.
We also include a couple of holiday parks which have cabin accommodation and camping sites for budget travellers. Easy!
Table of Contents
1. Punakaiki Beach Hostel
With a location like this, you’d expect to be at a luxury resort! Punakaiki Beach Hostel has great views of the ocean all over the property with some relaxing lounge areas both inside and out.
Stay in a hostel dorm, private room or even a cottage or house truck, the latter two providing ultimate privacy!
With a stellar beachfront location, heaps of games, an outdoor seating area and colourful decor, there’s plenty to make you want to stay longer.
Book Punakaiki Beach Hostel:
![5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Punakaiki ๐ [2025]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Punakaiki-Beach-Hostel.webp)
© Punakaiki Beach Hostel2. Te Nikau Retreat
Nestled in a nikau palm rainforest, Te Nikau Retreat is another Punakaiki hostel boasting an amazing location.
A number of walking tracks can be accessed from the hostel including the Truman Track.
Also scattered throughout the rainforest property are a number of lodges with hostel dorms and private rooms with shared facilities, private cabins, campsites and self-contained cottages.
With everything being split up across the grounds, you never get the sense that this retreat feels overcrowded.
Book Te Nikau Retreat:
- Te Nikau Retreat on Booking.com
- Te Nikau Retreat on HostelWorld
- Te Nikau Retreat on Trip.com
- Te Nikau Retreat on Expedia
![5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Punakaiki ๐ [2025]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Te-Nikau-Retreat.jpg)
© Te Nikau Retreat3. Punakaiki Beach Camp
If you’re backpacking around New Zealand by campervan or staying in a tent, check out the Punakaiki Beach Camp. This beachfront holiday park offers a unique coastal experience with direct access to a private beach area.
Accommodation options include powered sites, tent sites, and family rooms with private bathrooms and kitchenettes.
Guests can enjoy garden and terrace views, complemented by free WiFi throughout the property. Additional amenities include electric vehicle charging, barbecue facilities, and free on-site parking.
The camp’s location is perfect for nature enthusiasts, with hiking trails and scenic mountain and river vistas nearby.
Book Punakaiki Beach Camp:
- Punakaiki Beach Camp on Booking.com
- Punakaiki Beach Camp on Trip.com
- Punakaiki Beach Camp on Expedia
![5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Punakaiki ๐ [2025]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Punakaiki-Beach-Camp.jpg)
© Punakaiki Beach Camp4. Global Village Backpackers (Greymouth)
40 minutes south of Punakaiki, the Global Village Backpackers is just one of the backpacker offerings in the town of Greymouth. Make use of free kayak hire for exploring the neighbouring Lake Karoro and bike hire to explore the local area.
At the end of the day, relax in the spa pool or the Finnish sauna before retreating to your chosen room, whether it’s one of the private rooms like a double, twin, triple, family or even six-person dorm, or one of the shared dorms with mixed and female-only options available.
For more options in Greymouth, head to the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Greymouth.
Book Global Village Backpackers:
- Global Village Backpackers on Booking.com
- Global Village Backpackers on HostelWorld
- Global Village Backpackers on Trip.com
- Global Village Backpackers on Expedia
© Global Village Travellers Lodge5. Charleston Holiday Park
Just a 30-minute drive from Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks, the Charleston Holiday Park offers budget-friendly accommodation for backpackers.
Choose from a variety of cabins, including single rooms and bunk rooms, with access to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. The park also caters to campers with powered sites and tent pitches available.
Adventure seekers will love the surrounding activities, including glow worm spotting, cave tours, goldmine visits and rafting.
Nature enthusiasts can visit a seal colony just a 20-minute drive away. For supplies, Westport, a 22-minute drive from the property, offers a supermarket and petrol station.
Nearby, you’ll also find the town of Westport with the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Westport.
Book Charleston Holiday Park:
© Charleston Holiday Park[UPDATE] Beaconstone Eco Lodge
[Update: Beaconstone Eco Lodge no longer provides backpacker accommodation, but it is now “Beaconstone Eco Stay” providing cheap private cabins instead. Check out the links below for more details].
Just 35 minutes out of Punakaiki, Beaconstone Eco Lodge is another backpacker hostel well worth considering along the West Coast. This hostel helps you reduce your environmental impact while travelling by solely using solar power and rainwater.
What’s more, it’s a small hostel sleeping only 10, so when you want to escape the crowds you know where to go.
Book Beaconstone Eco Stay:
© Beaconstone Eco LodgeMore About Punakaiki for Backpackers
That’s it for our list of the best hostels in Punakaiki. For more West Coast travel advice, check out the following guides:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in the West Coast – Guide for Backpackers.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- NZ Mฤori Tourism (Official Mฤori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
![5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Lake Tekapo ???? [2023]](https://nzpocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/200313497-2-300x225.jpg)
