Address Details
Palmerston St,
Okarito
+64 3 379 9970
Rooms & Rates
Shared
Number of beds: 12
Rooms from: NZ$60
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Operating Hours
Reception Hours:
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Payment Methods
Guest Services & Facilities
YHA Okarito
THIS HOSTEL IS NOT BOOKABLE ONLINE. CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR BOOKING REQUEST.
Limited accomodation means you must confirm your booking before arrival. Please note that payment is by cash only.
The smallest YHA backpacker hostel in New Zealand, staying at the YHA Okarito hostel is a special experience not to be missed. Located in the old historic school building from the gold mining days, this Okarito hostel was extensively renovated with love and care yet still retains its unique charm. Set on the wild West Coast of the South Island in the quaint village of Okarito, with its 35 residents, this backpacker hostel has lots of character and a cosy atmosphere.
All of Okarito’s main attractions are walking distance from the YHA Okarito hostel: search for the Okarito Brown Kiwi, go kayaking on the lagoon and view the magnificent white heron Kotuku and stroll along the wild West Coast beach.
Important note: To secure your backpacker accommodation at the YHA Okarito hostel you make a booking in advance, there will be no accommodation for those who turn up off the street. As YHA Okarito is a special community run hostel there is no office so no phone number to call. Use the YHA website’s booking service to secure your bed otherwise you will miss out! And you wouldn’t want that to happen!
YHA Okarito a simple two-room affair in an 1860 former schoolhouse, with twelve made-up bunks most of them in the spacious and well-appointed kitchen/living area. - The Rough Guide to New Zealand.
Special features at YHA Okarito that backpackers love:
- Stay in perhaps New Zealand’s most unique backpacker hostel, an experience not to be missed.
- Small, cosy and comfortable hostel accommodation.
- A great affordable accommodation option in this tiny, untouched West Coast town of Okarito.
- Book exchange and bicycle storage.
About Okarito
Okarito is a very special, charming village in an untouched part of the West Coast near the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
Okarito lagoon is birdwatcher’s paradise, famous for the Okarito Brown Kiwi and magnificent and graceful Kotuku (White Heron) and 70 other bird species. The Okarito lagoon is New Zealand’s largest natural area of wetlands in the rainforest. The best way to explore the lagoon and try to get close to the Kotuku White Herons is by kayak. Okarito Nature Tours have a variety of kayaking options to suit everyone. It’s best to go out early in the morning when the water is calmest and there are more birds around.
The main breeding ground of the White Herons is at the north end of the Okarito Lagoon and a tour here can be arranged from Okarito. Go on an eco-tourism kiwi tour into the local bush to try and spot the Brown Kiwi in the wild. Okarito also has great fishing and in season you can try whitebaiting, the famous West Coast delicacy.
There are many scenic walks to do in Okarito, especially the popular Trig Walk with magnificent panoramic views of the Southern Alps including Aoraki Mt Cook, the Southern Alps and the Franz Josef Glacier. Or go strolling and beachcombing along the wilds of the untouched West Coast coastline while watching the sun set into the Tasman Sea.
Top activities to do while backpacking in Okarito
- Okarito Nature Tours run excellent guided and solo kayaking trips on the Okarito Lagoon.
- Okarito is the best location in the country to see the magnificent New Zealand White Heron or Kotuku (as featured on our $2 coin).
- Okarito Kiwi Tours offers low impact eco-tourism guiding taking you deep into kiwi habitation.
- Walk along the magnificent beach and the Trig track for wonderful views towards Aoraki Mt Cook and over the Tasman Sea.
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