Dunedin Region: A Guide to Cheap Long-Term Accommodation

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Hostels in the Dunedin Region

Hostels are a good place to start when looking for cheap long-term accommodation in the Dunedin region. Not only do they provide an affordable base for rental-hunting but many also offer weekly rates.

There are only two backpacker hostels in the outer suburbs of Dunedin… That’s awkward. Most of Dunedin’s hostels can be found in the city centre and inner suburbs. For more information check out the Cheap Long-Term Accommodation Guide to Dunedin City.

However, Dunedin’s most touristy outer suburbs do have the offerings of:

• Billy Brown’s in the harbourside suburb of Port Chalmers surrounded by walks and beaches. Bed prices start at NZ$30.
• McFarmers has a backpacker lodge situated on the Otago Peninsula. Bed prices start from NZ$30. (As featured in our 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Dunedin).

Portobello Tourist Park on the Otago Peninsula also offers backpacker beds at NZ$50 per night.

Due to the lack of hostels in the Dunedin region, you may find more convenient options in campgrounds, holiday parks and Airbnb.

Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

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Renting a Room in Dunedin

Renting a room is common practice in Dunedin to keep the price to a minimum when staying for the long term, usually done if you have landed a job in Dunedin as part of a working holiday or studying at the University of Otago.

Expect a room to rent in the outer suburbs of Dunedin to be around NZ$170 per week. That’s a room to yourself in a flatshare or houseshare. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

For advice on how to find a room to rent in Dunedin, have a look at our 6 Resources to Find a Room to Rent in New Zealand. Renting a room involves a more complicated process than staying in short-term accommodation, so get clued up by reading The Paperwork Process of Renting or Flatting in New Zealand.

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Airbnb in Dunedin

Stay with a local Dunedin-dweller in Dunedin’s outer suburb. Airbnb, the online network of peoples spare rooms available for accommodation, is huge in Dunedin’s suburbs! The Otago Peninsula, Port Chalmers, Brighton and Mosgiel, in particular, have a wealth of Airbnb rooms.

Like hostels, Airbnb stays can provide a cheap room while finding something long term. Alternatively, some Airbnb hosts offer weekly rates for cheap long-term accommodation in the Dunedin region.

Although the average price for a room in Dunedin is NZ$195 per night, you can still find an array of NZ$25-$90 rooms in the outer suburbs. Consider an Airbnb room for more convenient suburb locations (considering many of the suburbs lack any other shorter-term budget accommodation) and a more “treat yourself” experience. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

For more information on Airbnb, check out Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand and 10 Tips to Make the Most of Airbnb in New Zealand.

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Campgrounds and Holiday Parks in Dunedin City

There are six holiday parks in the Dunedin outer suburbs with power sites and tent sites. These holiday parks are encouraged to be used for campers who do not have a self-contained vehicle with prices starting at NZ$20 per night. Free campgrounds for both self-contained and non-self-contained camping can be found in the Warrington Domain in Warrington and the Ocean View Recreation Reserve in Brighton.

Self-contained vehicles have the option to freedom camp throughout the Dunedin area on gravelled or sealed council land set aside for parking. Restricted areas are clearly signposted and are only on a few areas around the Otago Peninsula.

For information about camping, check out our guide to Camping in New Zealand.