03 548 7950 Book now
Five guests play cards around a low table in the lounge, beside the wood burner and a big world map

Tasman Bay Backpackers

Home of Nelson's famous hot chocolate pudding. A friendly, independent hostel a short walk from the city centre.

See prices and book See rooms
  • Superb on Hostelworld 1,500+ reviews
  • Superb on Booking.com 950+ reviews
  • 4.6 ★ on Google 390+ reviews

It's the small things that make us different

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.

Some guests stay a night or two on their way through. Others stay for weeks while they work in Nelson. The hostel is run by Georgie, Mark, Rosie, Sam and Henk-Jan, with a team of exchange workers.

Book now Watch the video tour
Four guests chat in the sunny garden, three on a wooden bench and one standing, with the salmon-pink hostel behind

Pudding and Off-Line Time

Every night, all year round, two things bring everyone together.

A staff member serves hot chocolate pudding from a big pot while smiling guests line up with bowls

Every night at 8pm

Free hot chocolate pudding

Hot chocolate pudding and ice cream, free for every guest. It's vegan friendly, and sometimes it's a fruit crumble instead.

We've become well known for this nightly treat, and it brings everyone together.

Guests round the lit log burner play Scrabble with glasses of red wine while one plays guitar

Every night, 7pm to 9pm

7–9 Off-Line Time

A social, creative time inspired by the off-line cafés popping up. People play games, make music, meet new people and share travel stories. Join in if you like.

The guitars, other instruments and games are free to use any time.

Other ways to meet people

  • Guest WhatsApp groupJoin TBB Connect when you arrive, to suggest and organise things to do with other guests.
  • Winter eveningsA log fire every night, and sometimes yoga, football in the park, quiz and movie nights.
  • Time to yourselfPlenty of different areas to study, work, journal or have time alone.

Rooms

Shared rooms with three to six beds, and private rooms with a double, a queen or two singles. Bedding is included in every room.

Shared rooms

Every bed has a comfy inner-spring mattress and its own reading light. Towels are free on request, there are extra blankets and hot water bottles, and the shared bathrooms are close by. The dorms are mixed.

Private rooms

Beds are made up for you, with towels and soaps, a heater, and feather duvets in winter.

A private double room with a blue striped bed cover, a small desk and a window full of green palm leaves

Standard Double or Twin

Shared bathrooms close by

  • Standard Double: a double bed
  • Standard Twin: two single beds
Check prices and dates

Prices

Prices change with the dates, so our booking page shows today's price for every room.

See prices for your dates

Find us

Call, email or drop in at the office.

Address
10 Weka St, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
0.6 km from the city centre
Phone
+64 3 548 7950 (in New Zealand: 03 548 7950)
Office hours
Open 8am to 8pm, closed 12.30pm to 3.30pm daily. Check-out is 10am. Arriving after 8pm? Tell us when you book.
Get directions Call us

Check-in times, cancellation, facilities and longer stays: Good to know before you book