hostel Bunkdown Lodge Backpackers - Whangarei in New Zealand

Hostel Bunkdown Lodge Backpackers

23 Otaika Rd

Whangarei

North Island - North

Hostel description:

Homely accommodation for 24 guests that is warm, clean and spacious.

Our gracious kauri villa was built in the early 1900\'s when the pride and detail of workmanship enhanced the enjoyment of a home and the felling of the kauri forests of Northland provided a rich source of income for the early settlers.

Location:

on State Highway 1, two hours north of Auckland one hour south of the Bay of Islands.

Bunkdown Lodge is tucked down a right of way off the main highway north 500 metres from the Information Centre and only a 10-15 minute walk to the city centre.

Rooms:

Clean, restful accommodation at a low cost

Spacious common rooms - cosy wood fire in winter

The comfort of innersprung mattresses and duvets

The luxury of a bath!

Services:

Two fully equipped kitchens - free tea and coffee

Entertainment - piano, guitars, games, videos, croquet, volleyball

Information booklets with photos on what to see and do in Whangarei

Free storage while you explore Northland

Lock up garage for securing your bicycle

Telescope to explore the night sky

Email at competitive rates

Large garden, lawns and native trees where you can relax with a book from our book exchange, share a glass of wine and stories with your fellow travellers, or cook yourself a meal on the "barbie"!

Activities:

Diving - The Poor Knights Islands - One of the top ten dive sites in the world!!

Abbey Caves - Glow worms, Potholing - Venture into the depths of the earth - where time stands still and the accresion of millenia will confound you!

Rosvall Indoor Rock Climbing Wall - they also organise white water abseilling down the Whangarei Falls over the summer holidays!!

Golf - Several courses to choose from - funny but the "pro\'s" prefer a different course to the one I love!

Fishing - surfcast off the rocks with your host Peter, line fishing from a boat or go for the big ones through the Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers Club.

Northland Flightseeing - enjoy a birdseye view of beautiful Northland.

Whangarei Harbour Cruises - explore the bays and inlets that encompass our expansive harbour.

Area:

Heritage Park Whangarei - The Kiwi House and Whangarei Museum. Beautiful 25 hectare property with outdoor and indoor displays. Excellent collection of Maori artefacts. The nocturnal Kiwi House includes a North Island brown kiwi, morepork, wetas and native geckos with very helpful and informative staff who personalise your visit. Take a picnic lunch to share with the peacocks under the trees! Or just enjoy the rural setting, the stone walls and the views to the city and Whangarei Heads. The exhibition centre was closed temporarily in October 2002 so check to see if it is open.

Clapham Clocks - a truly amazing collection of clocks, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, that will keep you spellbound for hours!! Highly recommended by Bunkdown Lodge.

The Paper Mill - designed to lift the self esteem of intellectually disabled people who guide you through the paper making process and provide you with herbal tea in their peaceful and charming cottage garden. You will pass them on your way into Whangarei. Also highly recommended.

The Quarry - An artist\'s co-operative of five studios for you to stroll through and enjoy.

Burning Issues Gallery - ceramic and glass studio situated in the Town Basin. This is a must - showcases traditional and innovative artwork - watch the talented local artists at work!

The Kauri Clock Factory - Very popular shopping venue with over 2,500 clocks to choose from - no two are the same!

The Fudge Farm - also at the Town Basin - made from farm fresh ingredients comes creamy mouthwatering fudge made the old fashioned way - by hand - yummy!!

Bluewater Farm Park - Matapouri - even the drive there is enjoyable - up hill and down dale but my goodness me - what a view and what a place. A new attraction very well organised and what better way to finish or start your day off at one of the best beaches in Whangarei! Phil and Barbara have done extremely well, even providing a cafe with some of the best priced food I have come across! Entry fee is only $5 per adult and well worth it!

Raumanga Falls - perfect for an early morning run from our lodge.

Fernery, Botanical and Cacti Gardens - a short walk from our hostel on the way into town.

Cafler Park, Rose Garden and Art Museum - just across the bridge from the Fernery - a must for rose lovers from December to April.

AH Reed Memorial Park - a peaceful retreat where you will discover the majestic Kauri trees which were spared from the settlers axes in the early 1900\'s when kauri wood and gum were Northland\'s greatest source of income.

Mt Parahaka - the first and largest Maori Pa site in New Zealand. Very little evidence of its past history to the untrained eye but several tracks to the summit for views of the city and harbour.

Mair Park - very pretty picnic and bush area by the river.

Whangarei Falls - very popular tourist spot with a 15 minute loop walk back to your car.

Prices:

Hostel contact information:

Phone: 64 9 4388886

Fax: 64 9 4388826

Email: bunkdown@ihug.co.nz

Web: www.bunkdownlodge.co.nz