The Hostelz.com Review
Bayview Backpackers is an extremely homey hostel about ten minutes' drive from Picton, with wonderful views overlooking the sound and kayaks and bikes available for use. Fresh bread is baked daily, which contributes the the homey atmosphere.
The Location
The hostel is about ten minutes' drive from Picton, across the road from the waterfront of the sound. There is ample on-site parking, and beautiful views across the water. It is easy to find, and the owners are happy to pick you up and drop you back into town. It is located close to nearby walking and mountain biking tracks, and there are Maori historical sites within close cycling distance.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel is divided into upstairs and downstairs areas. The rooms are spacious and light, with a maximum of four beds per room, some with double and single beds, and some with bunk beds. Each room locks, and there are large lockers available in each room. Towels are available for hire only. There is one upstairs and one downstairs bathroom, both of which are clean and well maintained. There is also a hairdryer available, free of charge.
Common Spaces
The facilities are excellent. The lodge is a converted house, and the common areas are divided into upstairs and downstairs, although guests are free to use either section. The upstairs lounge is enormous, with both living and dining areas, complete with a large bookshelf, games, and jigsaw puzzles. The highlight is definitely the balcony with views over the sounds, a wonderful spot to sit with a glass of wine at the end of the day. The upstairs kitchen also has spectacular views over the water, with full glass windows the length of the kitchen and a balcony looking out over the sounds. The downstairs kitchen and living areas are much smaller and darker, and smell of smoke. However, when we stayed, the downstairs rooms were rented by long-term guests, who had made this area their home.
There is free freshly baked bread available daily, and a herb garden that guests are welcome to use. Fresh eggs from the lodge's own chickens are available for a small price. There are also free kayaks and bikes available for use.
Summary
Bayview Backpackers is a quiet home away from home. It is probably better suited to travelers with their own transport who are looking for a quiet, family oriented place to stay, rather than those who are hoping to hit the town every night. It provides excellent facilities in a stunning location, and is highly recommended.
The Location
The hostel is about ten minutes' drive from Picton, across the road from the waterfront of the sound. There is ample on-site parking, and beautiful views across the water. It is easy to find, and the owners are happy to pick you up and drop you back into town. It is located close to nearby walking and mountain biking tracks, and there are Maori historical sites within close cycling distance.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel is divided into upstairs and downstairs areas. The rooms are spacious and light, with a maximum of four beds per room, some with double and single beds, and some with bunk beds. Each room locks, and there are large lockers available in each room. Towels are available for hire only. There is one upstairs and one downstairs bathroom, both of which are clean and well maintained. There is also a hairdryer available, free of charge.
Common Spaces
The facilities are excellent. The lodge is a converted house, and the common areas are divided into upstairs and downstairs, although guests are free to use either section. The upstairs lounge is enormous, with both living and dining areas, complete with a large bookshelf, games, and jigsaw puzzles. The highlight is definitely the balcony with views over the sounds, a wonderful spot to sit with a glass of wine at the end of the day. The upstairs kitchen also has spectacular views over the water, with full glass windows the length of the kitchen and a balcony looking out over the sounds. The downstairs kitchen and living areas are much smaller and darker, and smell of smoke. However, when we stayed, the downstairs rooms were rented by long-term guests, who had made this area their home.
There is free freshly baked bread available daily, and a herb garden that guests are welcome to use. Fresh eggs from the lodge's own chickens are available for a small price. There are also free kayaks and bikes available for use.
Summary
Bayview Backpackers is a quiet home away from home. It is probably better suited to travelers with their own transport who are looking for a quiet, family oriented place to stay, rather than those who are hoping to hit the town every night. It provides excellent facilities in a stunning location, and is highly recommended.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2010
Special Note from Hostelz.com: Bayview Backpackers is no longer listed in any of the hostel booking systems, and the website we had listed for it is no longer up. There is a good chance they may have closed down. If you have any information about it, please let us know with the Listing Update Form.
For alternative options in Picton, see the Picton Hostels list.
For alternative options in Picton, see the Picton Hostels list.
Bayview Backpackers DetailsFree Amenities
Parking BedsheetsOther Features
BBQ Grill Credit Card Payments Hot Showers Concierge / Info Desk Guest Kitchen Lounge Area Swimming Pool TV Wheelchair AccessibleDetails
Curfew: No Curfew
Map Location/ContactHow is Bayview Backpackers rated on other websites?
Bayview Backpackers Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Nice and quiet backpackers. A bit dated, but still very ok. Nice garden and well equipped kitchen. The shower could do with some renovation. We booked a double room, which came along with a TV. Very helpful owners. — kiim - Belgium (2006-12-23) Stayed here in Feb 2006. Its a bit out of the way which was fine for us as we hired a car but might be a a bit far for those without. We stayed in the second building. Apparently, some people refused to move out of the room we were booked for so we got a different room. The bed was a little weird (a double bed, but with a bunk on top!) and the bathroom wasn't exactly clean, but it was quiet and the owners were friendly. — Mark and Debs (2006-07-18) very nice, helpful staff, great facilities; overall, a perfectly fine hostel. I recommend it. — Bonbon (2006-04-26) I stayed here when everything else in Picton was full. It is quite a ways out of town; however, the 45-minute walk is good for clearing the lungs. And for those who want more fitness you can take the hiking trails that run along the Sound into tow. (Just make sure to bring an umbrella because it's no place to be caught in a downpour, believe me). The owners were very friendly and I did enjoy the rural atmosphere. The backyard is a nice place to socialize and eat breakfast, as well as a place to stretch out when the sun comes out. Another perk is a small beach a five-minute walk away. The water is quite warm and safe to swim in. But just because there are no riptides doesn't mean there aren't any stingrays! Thankfully, the stingray ignored me. — Bourbon Monroe (2005-02-04) I stayed and worked here for four months in 1995/6. It's a fantastic place and that was the best four months of my life so far. A return visit in 2000 confirmed its pride of place in the BBH [Backpacker Budget Hostels] ratings in spite of a change of ownership. I look forward to visiting again in 2005. It's an excellent friendly place with lots of features. — Steve (2005-01-29)