About Us

We are a small, friendly and cosy hostel with 30 beds converted from a 1930’s home for travellers seeking comfort and community. We are perfectly located, just a two-minute walk from the centre of town and beautiful Lake Wanaka. 

Our Hostel is also home to Buddy the cat, so make sure we are the right fit for you. Buddy loves to hang out in the lounge and garden. He isn’t allowed in the bedrooms   

Environmentally we want to help retain the beauty of NZ (which is one of the reasons we are all here right?) We collect all food scraps to feed some local pet kunekune pigs, Paige, Graham and family. (unfortunately no, they don’t live here with us)

We recycle plastics/cardboard and glass and use environmental cleaning products when we can.

One of our most favourite and popular features is our garden, where you will find fresh herbs and at certain times of the year home grown vegetables. Open to everyone to help themselves.

Our friendly staff are from all over the world (usually they start as guests and just never want to leave) and you will find more about who is scrubbing your toilet and making your bed on our “who we are board” It also includes photos of Buddy, the cat who has adopted us as one of his food providers.There are also photos of Paige, Graham and family – the local pet kunekune pigs we feed. 

Our staff also love to help you plan your time here. Chill out by the lake, climb Roy’s Peak, catch a movie at the famous Paradiso Cinema, visit the lavender farm, go hiking. There are also many adrenaline activities available including endless bike trails (why not try Heli-biking?) skiing, mountaineering, sky diving or even canyoning. In fact Wanaka has the highest Via Ferrata in the world (where you climb up a waterfall) and one of the only places you can fly a plane whilst soaring over the glaciers… yes you as the pilot!

Wanaka is the perfect base for exploring and has something for everyone – Ask Hayley at reception who has done pretty much every activity in town and she is happy to share some local secrets.

The staff are also known to often bake cakes or cookies, bread and slices to share (YUM) or are often the instigators of the potluck BBQ’s. Bring a smile, a story, something to eat and share your evening with new found friends!

From our little family, we look forward to welcoming you to Mountain View Backpackers – “your home away from home”

Hayley
Manager