Tasman Bay Backpackers 10 Weka St, Nelson
Home of Nelson’s famous hot chocolate pudding
A small, privately owned backpackers, 0.6 km from the centre of Nelson. At 8pm every night of the year, every guest gets free hot chocolate pudding and ice cream from a big black pot.
Superb on Hostelworld, from 1,500+ reviews 4.6 on Google
Free pudding at 8pm every night of the year
Hot chocolate pudding and ice cream for every guest, served from the big black pot into the striped bowls. It’s vegan friendly. Sometimes it’s a fruit crumble instead.
“We have become well known for this nightly treat.”
It draws people together.
7–9 Off-Line Time
From 7 to 9pm every night, phones go down and the games come out. Music gets made, people meet, and travellers swap stories.
It’s inspired by the off-line cafés popping up, and it’s optional: join in if you want to. The pudding arrives right in the middle of it, at 8.
Off-Line Time runs from 7 to 9pm, Nelson time. Pudding is at 8.
It’s the small things that make us different
“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.”
The lounge
The log fire is lit every night in winter. The guitars, other instruments and games are there for anyone to use, and there are plenty of corners to study, work, journal or have some time alone.
The garden
Hammocks, picnic tables and the big tree, with little lights strung outside at night.
“We are not a Flashpackers – relationships and caring for each other come first. Our walls are a bit thin, the furniture is second hand – so if you come stay, please know this and come for the vibe, the relationships you will build, the care you will feel.”
- Hostelworld
- Superb from 1,500+ reviews
- Booking.com
- Superb from 950+ reviews
- 4.6 from 390+ reviews
Hostelworld’s highest category score is for the staff: 9.9 out of 10, as of November 2026.
Three dorms and four private rooms
All bedding is supplied in every room, and every room has a heater. Prices change with the dates, so the booking page shows today’s price for every room.
Dorms
Mixed dorms, with shared bathrooms close by. Every bed has a comfy inner-spring mattress and its own reading light. Towels are free on request, and there are extra blankets and hot water bottles.
Private rooms
Beds made up, towels and soaps, a heater, and feather duvets in winter.
-
Queen Ensuite
A queen bed and a single bed. Your own bathroom, and a heater you control.
Book the Queen Ensuite -
-
-
Two single beds
Stay a few weeks or even a month
It’s a good way to start your time in New Zealand, or to take a break halfway through. There’s a mix of long-stay travellers working in Nelson and people passing through.
- Weekly rates for international travellers.
- Work: there’s usually lots of it in Nelson all year round, from cafés and admin to horticulture, the port, fishing companies, painting and construction. We’re happy to help you find some.
- Working online or studying: in the winter months there’s a dedicated space, with special rates, mostly in quieter times.
Book your first few nights online, then email your dates and the room you’d like, and we’ll tell you the weekly rate.
