BUG review
Onuku Farm is a tiny hostel brimming with character. It is located a few kilometres east of Akaroa town on a 1215ha farm and it is a great place to get away. It is also a good place for WWOOFing. The dorms are clean and colourful, there are two cute kitchens (one outside), and there is a nice lounge area with fluffy sofas and a fireplace. There are laundry facilities, a barbecue, and they arrange tours and brew their own beer. They also offer camping, rustic summer huts, and brilliant “stargazers”, which are small A-frames with double mattresses, candles and glass ceilings (perfect for couples). It is quiet and reception staff are amiable.
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Price Dorm bed $26-27 ($22-23 BBH) Double/twin room $58 ($52 BBH) Camping $12 Summer hut (no electric/heat) $14 Stargazer $17 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
perfect place for a break from traveling and relax, enjoy the view or hike on the farm - paradise 22 April 2008
Pros:
atmosphere, amazing views, space, tracks for hiking, stargazer
Cons:
small kitchens, not enough showers
kauri
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 8466)
this place is diffrent to other hostels. First thing i noticed was the relaxed atmosphere. No keys for the rooms but a safe in the office for my passport. It felt a bit like coming home. And it was very hard to leave. I got invited to a game of volleyball (they play everyday at 6pm) at check in. The firplace was roaring when we came back. Kitchens are a bit small but there are 3 and a BBQ area oh and seafood preparation area yum yum! The place is cleaner than I expected from the looks of it. The owner said it's 25 years old but the house was built in 1860!!! Even the campground toilets were spider free and I look out for spiders believe me. I stayed in a stargazer, a wooden tent with a glass roof. I cuddled up in my sleeping bag and watched the stars. I woke up to the birds singing. Yeah early start but I wanted to go swimming with the Dolphins. We were only six people, trip starts and ends at hostel. No need to say that I loved every minute. After lunch I had a nap in a hammock, so peaceful and whohoo it's six again volleyball. I forgot time at Onuku. It was a true break from backpacking. So it's clean and very friendly and i very recommend to go there.
2 of
14 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Seattle, Washington, USA
I want to go back and spend a week there.... 11 November 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12070)
Of course, every traveler is looking for different things. I found Onuku to be very relaxing and quiet, and it attracted a more mature clientele than other hostels I stayed in while in NZ. The hostel's hosts greeted every visitor with a hot cup of tea and a "how's your trip, where are you from?". Evenings around the fireplace socializing, shared meals, spectacular view, and fresh mussels from the beach. The activities are top-notch, as well - swimming with dolphins, in the bay, in small groups, with friendly guides.
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8 people found this review helpful
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Ray (www.rfleming.net)
Oxford, England
Definitely a 'farm' hostel - basic, friendly, unique 16 January 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Ray (www.rfleming.net)
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12071)
We've visited twice, and enjoyed the rural location (overlooking the sea bay), and the friendly visitors that it seems to attract. Although the accommodation is basic, and the showers are outside in small huts, the range of options is fantastic - rooms, dorms, huts, camping, or the 'StarGazer' - a wooden a-frame with glass where the roof should be - get kept awake by the stars!Great with children, and great for walking.
The place is cleaner than I expected from the looks of it. The owner said it's 25 years old but the house was built in 1860!!! Even the campground toilets were spider free and I look out for spiders believe me. I stayed in a stargazer, a wooden tent with a glass roof. I cuddled up in my sleeping bag and watched the stars. I woke up to the birds singing. Yeah early start but I wanted to go swimming with the Dolphins. We were only six people, trip starts and ends at hostel. No need to say that I loved every minute. After lunch I had a nap in a hammock, so peaceful and whohoo it's six again volleyball. I forgot time at Onuku. It was a true break from backpacking. So it's clean and very friendly and i very recommend to go there.
