Base Wanaka
by the TopOfHotel team
Base Wanaka is the cheapest hostel in town with a genuinely central location, made for budget backpackers.
Base Wanaka is the cheapest hostel in town with a genuinely central location, made for budget backpackers.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Base Wanaka keeps it simple. You can choose dorms in several sizes or a private double if you want a door of your own. The shared kitchen comes with full cooking gear, so cooking your own meals is an easy way to keep food costs down over a longer trip. A pool table is the main place guests gather and pass the time.
Food and amenities
There's no restaurant to speak of — the draw here is the shared kitchen, where you cook for yourself and save real money. Free Wi-Fi and the pool table round out what you get. It's a stripped-back setup, which is exactly the point at this price.
Location and getting there
The central location is the single biggest thing this hostel has going for it. You can walk straight to the lake, the restaurants, the cafes and the tour meeting points without a car. It suits backpackers who want to spend their days on Roy's Peak, at Puzzling World or skiing at Treble Cone, then come back to a cheap bed in the middle of everything.
Things to know before booking
The review score is 7.3/10 on Agoda, clearly below the other options in town. The dorms offer little privacy, and noise from other guests can be a problem if you're a light sleeper. If you want privacy or a quiet room, book a private double or pick somewhere else entirely.
Our take
Base Wanaka is a base, plain and simple — somewhere for backpackers to explore the South Island without spending much on a room. At around $46 a night, the lowest price in town, it earns its spot for travelers who care more about being out exploring than about where they sleep.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Beds start around $46 a night, the lowest price in Wanaka for anywhere with an actual bed.
- The location is right in the centre of town, so you can walk straight to the lake, the restaurants and the cafes.
- Good backpacker atmosphere — an easy place to meet travelers from all over and swap trip notes.
- The shared kitchen comes with full cooking gear, so cooking your own meals saves real money over the length of a trip.
- A pool table gives guests somewhere to hang out and unwind in the evening.
- The review score is 7.3/10, clearly below the other options in town.
- Dorms offer little privacy, and noise from other guests can be a problem if you want a quiet night.
- If you want real privacy or a silent room to sleep in, this is the wrong choice — pick somewhere else.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Wanaka
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Wanaka — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in WanakaAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Cook your own meals in the shared kitchen to keep costs down — it's the main reason a stay here stays so cheap.
- Book a private double instead of a dorm if you care about privacy or a quiet night's sleep.
- Use the central location as a base for Roy's Peak, Puzzling World and skiing at Treble Cone, and plan to be out most of the day.