Free hot chocolate pudding & ice cream
Every evening at 8pm, every night of the year
We've become well known for this nightly treat. It's vegan friendly, and sometimes there's a fruit crumble instead. It draws people together.
Tasman Bay Backpackers
It's the small things that make us different
A small, privately owned backpackers at 10 Weka St, Nelson
7–9 Off-Line Time
From 7pm to 9pm every night, while the pudding is served, we invite everyone off-line for a while. Join in if you like: games are played, music is made, and guests meet new people and share traveller stories.
The hostel's guitars, other instruments and games are free for guests to use.
What one traveller said
My experience at the hostel was just amazing, lovely people and lovely staff! The hostel is really welcoming, with so many small things that made me feel home: first the chocolate pudding of course, but also the music instruments and games that we can freely use to play all together, the little plants and candles on the tables, the fire to stay warm in winter, the nice backyard with the hammocks, the little lights outside at nighttime.
A big howdy, spring 2026
Spring is here. Daylight hours are increasing, the weather has been very sunny, the gardens are coming alive, and the hostel is buzzing with new and some returning travellers.
Mark, Rosie, Sam, Henk-Jan and I run TBB, with our team of exchange workers. Each week we make soup and bread for a staff lunch, and every night we offer all our guests hot chocolate pudding.
We like to think our hostel might be like your favourite café: a place where you feel relaxed, comfortable and safe, there's good music playing, people are friendly and the atmosphere is just right. One guest who stayed with us through lockdown in 2020 called it “maybe the first home you have ever really had”.
We are not a Flashpackers. Relationships and caring for each other come first. Our walls are a bit thin and the furniture is second hand, so if you come and stay, please know this and come for the vibe, the relationships you will build, the care you will feel.
If this sounds like you, come and stay. We'd love to have you here.
Georgie & the TBB Team
Rooms & rates
All bedding is supplied in every room. Prices change, so the booking page shows them live with what's available on your dates.
Shared rooms
The dorms are mixed. The 6 Share, 4 Share and Triple all come with:
- A comfy inner-spring mattress and a reading light for every bed
- Shared bathrooms close by
- Towels free on request
- Extra blankets and hot water bottles
Private rooms
Beds made up, towels and soaps, a heater, and feather duvets in winter.
Standard Twin
Two single beds, shared bathrooms close by.
See prices and bookWant a look around first?
Watch the video tourWeekly rates & work in Nelson
Stay a few weeks or a month
A few weeks here is a good way to start your time in New Zealand, or to take a break halfway through. We have weekly rates for international travellers, there's usually lots of work in Nelson all year round, and we're happy to help you find it.
Book your first few nights online, then email or call us about weekly rates.
Good to know
Check-in times, arriving late, cancelling, what's at the hostel and answers to common questions.
Contact us
Address
10 Weka St, Nelson 7010
New Zealand
0.6 km from the city centre
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