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Lakeside Backpackers

2.0 star property
Travelers connect over barbecues and TV shows at this Queenstown hostel where convenient amenities make backpacking more comfortable

Choose dates to view prices

Lakeside Backpackers offers a lively base in Queenstown City Centre with practical comforts for budget travelers. Guests can use in-room WiFi, park for free, and access laundry facilities and barbecue grills. The staff earns praise for their helpfulness.

Reviews

6.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen
The current price is AU$146
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room

Twin Room

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for 6 Beds Mixed Dormitory

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi

6 Beds Mixed Dormitory

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for 6 Beds Female Dormitory

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi

6 Beds Female Dormitory

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for 8 Beds Mixed Dormitory

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi

8 Beds Mixed Dormitory

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

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About the area

Located in Queenstown City Centre, a neighbourhood in Queenstown, Lakeside Backpackers is in the entertainment district. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Beach, while Toi o Tahuna and Off The Wall Gallery are cultural highlights. Underwater Observatory and CaddyShack City Mini Golf are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including skiing. Visit our Queenstown travel guide
View more Hostels in Queenstown
Map
18a Lake Esplanade, Queenstown, 9300

What's nearby

  • TSS Earnslaw Steamship showing picnicking, a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
    TSS Earnslaw Steamship
    5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Landscape of Queenstown, New Zealand
    Queenstown Mall
    8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Kiwi and Birdlife Park featuring signage, zoo animals and bird life
    Kiwi and Birdlife Park
    8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Skyline Gondola which includes a bay or harbour and a coastal town
    Skyline Queenstown
    10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Skycity Queenstown Casino
    7 min walk - 0.6 km

Getting around

  • Queenstown (ZQN-Queenstown Intl.)
    10 min drive

Restaurants

  • Fergburger
    7 min walk
  • Patagonia Chocolates
    7 min walk
  • Smiths Craft Beer House
    6 min walk
  • Saigon Kingdom
    4 min walk
  • Finz
    4 min walk

About this property

Lakeside Backpackers

Hostel located in Queenstown City Centre
Lakeside Backpackers provides amenities, such as an airport shuttle and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
  • Free self-parking
  • Luggage storage, a TV in reception and barbecues
  • Tour/ticket information
Room features
All guest rooms at Lakeside Backpackers have amenities, such as free WiFi.
Extra amenities include:
  • Free tea bags/instant coffee and electric kettles
  • Shared bathrooms with showers
  • Communal kitchens, heating and daily housekeeping

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Airport shuttle available
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Things to do

  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Shared bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Shared accommodation

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 7:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 3.15 per cent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
At check-in, guests must provide a record of full COVID-19 vaccination
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 3.15 per cent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a security system and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.

Property is also known as

Lakeside Backpackers Queenstown
Lakeside Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Lakeside Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Queenstown

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakeside Backpackers pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Lakeside Backpackers?

As of 8 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lakeside Backpackers on 16 Mar 2026 start from AU$146, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Lakeside Backpackers?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Lakeside Backpackers?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 7:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Lakeside Backpackers?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lakeside Backpackers located?

Located in Queenstown City Centre, this hostel is within a 5-minute walk of Lake Wakatipu, SKYCITY Wharf Casino and Steamer Wharf. TSS Earnslaw Steamship and Creative Queenstown Arts & Crafts Market are also within 10 minutes.

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Reviews

Lakeside Backpackers Reviews

6.4

5.8

Cleanliness

5.8

Amenities

5.8

Staff & service

5.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 20 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jared

Liked: Cleanliness
Great value for money. Awesome location. Facilities are old and dated but certainly provided an authentic experience. Really appreciate the flexibility to check in late. Ideal if you are in transit after a hike and need a one night lay over.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Dominic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It was a good place to stay for a night.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Qingyi

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I didn’t get email back about late checking. But some young man was there helping me to get key and carried my luggage up to the two staircases.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

4/10 Poor

Wai Shun Wilson

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There's no on site parking for backpacker room even the app says "parking included". It's a dirty hostel but for the price and location you get what your paying for. I wouldn't stay there for more than just a sleep over night.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Sophia

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The room and living spaces were overall clean but the bathroom was not so much. The only light in the bathroom with the toilet was burnt out for the 4 days I was there and the 2nd toilet was out of order. The shower stalls were not the cleanest and the drains would not drain the best causing them to fill up and overflow if you didn't pay attention. The oven also does not work. I did cancel my nights at another hostel and stayed here 2 extra nights as I did feel very safe and street parking was overall decent. I would stay here again. A good price for what you get.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

brooke

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Blanket was full of hair that was not mine
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Uillians

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Alexander

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Roome, kitchen and bathroom were dirty. Everything needs a deep cleaning..
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

T G A Buma

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Absolute dump, don’t stay there

Very run down and neglected property. But in a prime location. I would say the building will soon be bulldozed, so current operators are doing zero maintainence. Dirty and mouldy. Kitchen/Dining filthy. Kitchen sink tap fallen off. Absolute scum hole. Not recommended. Don’t know why Hotel.com lists this place. It is very substandard.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Shaked

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Last resort hostel

Went there only because I had no other option. It's far from the center and poorly maintained. I was offered hard drugs by the people who stayed there for a long time. Wouldn't go there, unless I have to.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

4/10 Poor

Federico

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
No hospitality, before check in I wasn’t allowed to go to the toilet because it wasn’t check in time… weird
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

DIEGO

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is the worst hostel, the staff was really rude with me, I was asking for the manager or supervisor to complain about something and the guy that it was working was challenging me to do the complaint. I send an email to get some help but they didn’t reply to me. No space in the rooms to leave you luggage. Do not stay in this hostel

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

So I stayed in a dorm. You are required to sign a sheet that says they aren't responsible for stolen items, however to get to the dorms it's a code that is laminated on the front counter so probably never changes and then there are no locks on the doors and no lockers in the room. They charge you to use the lockers in the small common area. So to me that is wrong to make guest sign something when anyone can walk in and take something of yours as the security is very low. Upon arrival I was told that I couldn't use the parking lot and I had to park on street (very busy street and it would have taken hours to find a free street parking spot. ) I had to show them on hotels.com where it said I could park on site and they did let me as long as they didn't need the spot. So it worked out. The kitchen was okay. It's really only as clean as the people using it leave it. Wasn't super clean, it wasn't well stocked but not scarce either. I stayed one night and it worked for that. I literally only booked here because of the advertised free parking. (So read carefully they may not offer the free parking option in the future)
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Hritvik Arjun

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Extremely filthy, an absolute waste of money. The staff is not good and doesn’t show any concern of keeping the property clean and tidy. It smells, has no ventilation system and is not at all good considering the location. I would never recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
位置極佳, 價錢平. 呢個價錢就冇得要求咁多
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Bärbel

Liked: Cleanliness
Preis Leistung stimmt definitv. Die Betten waren bequem . Uns war die Küche nicht sauber genug. Essen wollten wir da nicht sind aber sonst auch eher im Motel und das vielleicht nicht gewöhnt.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

NOPPORN

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024