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.
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 Queenstown Mini Golf are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including skiing. Visit our Queenstown travel guide
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 at the property
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
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
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.
How much does it cost to stay at Lakeside Backpackers?
As of 9 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lakeside Backpackers on 29 Apr 2026 start from €72, 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
6.0
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
5.6
Cleanliness
5.2
Amenities
6.0
Staff & service
5.2
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 23 reviews
10 - Excellent
5
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 23 reviews
8 - Good
3
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 23 reviews
6 - Okay
6
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 23 reviews
4 - Poor
5
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 23 reviews
2 - Terrible
4
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jared
9 Feb 2026
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.
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.
Sadly, backpacker accommodation in Queenstown seems to have sunk to a lowest common denominator. Clean but scruffy and unloved, would not be tolerated if there were any options. Compare with AKL... One issue is that many residents are there long-term while working, not the typical travelling backpacker clientel.
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.
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.
Qingyi
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Sophia
25 Nov 2025
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.
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.
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.
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
DIEGO
Verified
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
24 Mar 2025
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)
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified
2/10 Terrible
CHANGHU
30 Mar 2026
I did NOT check in this hostel since unexpected New Zealand border agent’s mistake, and I even did not arrive the New Zealand . Please process the full refund $46.03 to my original payment account. I will dispute this payment if not refund being issued. Thank you .
CHANGHU
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
14 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
位置極佳, 價錢平. 呢個價錢就冇得要求咁多
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Bärbel
14 Dec 2024
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.