147 Roebuck Road, Gisborne Tel (06) 868 0461 Websitewww.flynun.co.nz
BUG review
Flying Nun Backpackers has a unique setting – it’s an old convent transformed into a hostel. If that doesn’t give you nightmares, then there’s plenty of character in the old building (as well as some benign black-and-white ghosts, allegedly). It’s pretty well kept and has lots of great original details, though it’s a bit rough around the edges in places. Facilities include a big kitchen and a common room inside, and a back patio with a barbecue. There are also a few caravans outside – two are TV rooms (one for smokers) and the other is a games room with a pool table and table tennis. There is free internet access (including Wi-Fi), which is very rare in New Zealand, and there are lockers for every bed. An historical footnote: the legendary Dame Kiri Te Kanawa received her first singing lessons from the nuns here.
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Price Dorm bed $21-23 ($18-20 BBH) Single room $33 ($30 BBH) Double/twin room $52 ($46 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
I stayed here with members of my surf club a couple of years ago. We had an excellent time here. Full of history and even talk of it being haunted. I found it a great place to stay with a bunch of friends, but would probably go somewhere else if I was travelling alone.
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KiwiRob
Auckland, New Zealand
Has character but is character enough 5 April 2004
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KiwiRob
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(Review ID: 12485)
Quite a holy place this used to be a convent. If you are interested in Opera this is where Dame Kiri first learnt to sing. Apart from having a bit of history the place is a dump and really really needs some tender loving care. I can't believe I paid money to stay here, then again all the other places in town were full so we had no choice. The beds squeek like mad, the showers were cold, it's a cold old building. I'm embarassed that we have hostels in NZ like this. Fix it up and it could be great.
