Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Havelock for other available Havelock hostels and accommodations.
Please see Havelock for other available Havelock hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
Blue Moon Backpackers is run by a couple, Shane and Asha, who should be on hand during your stay to answer any queries (they live upstairs).
The Location
This hostel is conveniently located on the road between Nelson and Picton. As you drive from Nelson you can't miss it, as there are few buildings in Havelock, and even fewer that are bright blue with a big sign saying "Blue Moon Backpackers." Parking is not really available on site, but there is ample room on the side street outside.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The bedrooms are made up for you on arrival and are relatively clean and even include a small towel for you to use. There are no lockers in the rooms, but you get a key to your room so it is pretty secure. The rooms are on the small side, but there is enough room for you to bring backpacks in and unpack slightly.
The power in the room is available only by paying a fee per five hours. This time runs from the moment you put the coin in and is not dependent on usage. As the rooms are not double-glazed in the winter months, you will want to pay to have a heater on probably at night and in the morning.
The bathrooms are slightly odd and, although fully functional, are laid out slightly oddly. Hot water showers are available -- you are given a token when you arrive that gives you six minutes of hot water. If you would like a longer shower than that, you will have to pay a fee for another six minutes.
Common Spaces
There is a lounge with a TV, bookshelf, and computer. The lounge is dominated by an empty fish tank, and a large glass box in the middle of the room, which has a rather grotesque massive dead crayfish in it. The sofas are rather makeshift though comfortable. The computer has internet access, which is charged in ten-minute increments.
The kitchen has two hobs, a small oven, and most of the utensils you will need. Two fridges (but no freezer) are provided to store personal items of food. Outside there is a BBQ and a rusting weights machine, which doesn't completely spoil the view of the edge of Marlbrough Sounds. There appear to be several long-termers staying in the hostel and no restrictions on the age of guests (so there could be a screaming baby when you stay).
Summary
Overall if you're driving from Picton to Nelson or Nelson to Picton, you should aim to make those your start and finish points as there is no good reason to stop in Havelock. This hostel certainly does not make up for the quiet, rundown nature of the town. Charging for basic extras such as power or hot water seems to be non-negotiable due to the coin-boxes attached to them. The kitchen area does not seem particularly clean and the whole hostel could do with a fair bit of renovation. They seem to be concentrating on adding more rooms rather than improving the facilities already there.
The Location
This hostel is conveniently located on the road between Nelson and Picton. As you drive from Nelson you can't miss it, as there are few buildings in Havelock, and even fewer that are bright blue with a big sign saying "Blue Moon Backpackers." Parking is not really available on site, but there is ample room on the side street outside.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The bedrooms are made up for you on arrival and are relatively clean and even include a small towel for you to use. There are no lockers in the rooms, but you get a key to your room so it is pretty secure. The rooms are on the small side, but there is enough room for you to bring backpacks in and unpack slightly.
The power in the room is available only by paying a fee per five hours. This time runs from the moment you put the coin in and is not dependent on usage. As the rooms are not double-glazed in the winter months, you will want to pay to have a heater on probably at night and in the morning.
The bathrooms are slightly odd and, although fully functional, are laid out slightly oddly. Hot water showers are available -- you are given a token when you arrive that gives you six minutes of hot water. If you would like a longer shower than that, you will have to pay a fee for another six minutes.
Common Spaces
There is a lounge with a TV, bookshelf, and computer. The lounge is dominated by an empty fish tank, and a large glass box in the middle of the room, which has a rather grotesque massive dead crayfish in it. The sofas are rather makeshift though comfortable. The computer has internet access, which is charged in ten-minute increments.
The kitchen has two hobs, a small oven, and most of the utensils you will need. Two fridges (but no freezer) are provided to store personal items of food. Outside there is a BBQ and a rusting weights machine, which doesn't completely spoil the view of the edge of Marlbrough Sounds. There appear to be several long-termers staying in the hostel and no restrictions on the age of guests (so there could be a screaming baby when you stay).
Summary
Overall if you're driving from Picton to Nelson or Nelson to Picton, you should aim to make those your start and finish points as there is no good reason to stop in Havelock. This hostel certainly does not make up for the quiet, rundown nature of the town. Charging for basic extras such as power or hot water seems to be non-negotiable due to the coin-boxes attached to them. The kitchen area does not seem particularly clean and the whole hostel could do with a fair bit of renovation. They seem to be concentrating on adding more rooms rather than improving the facilities already there.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2008
Blue Moon Backpackers Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 48 Main Road, Havelock, South Island, New Zealand |
| Website | www.bluemoonhavelock.co.nz |
| Telephone | 03 5742212 |
How is Blue Moon Backpackers rated on other websites?
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Thoroughly recommended This was the first time we had used a backpackers hostel and didn't really know what to expect. It beat a lot of posher places easily. We had a large front room with an en-suite shower which was the best we met in a month. Clean and very convenient, near to the harbour, restaurants, shops and delightful little local museum. The 'Swan' bush in the garden was a surprise, festooned as it was with Monarch butterfly chrysalids. — Derek Baron , UK (2011-11-08)