The Barn

If you’re out to see the sights of Abel Tasman National Park, you can’t get a closer bed than one at The Barn. The buses stop at the Abel Tasman entrance, which is about three hundred meters from the front door to The Barn.

This hostel is an older facility with doubles, twins, and bunks as well as campsites. The main building houses the bunks, kitchen, enclosed porch with coin operated internet terminals, and a covered porch to enjoy the warm sun. Bunks have bottom sheets and pillows and are not your typical bunk-bed style bunks. There are more berths, with everyone sleeping side-by-side on two levels with dividers between. It's a very unique configuration.

The facilities are well-maintained and efforts have been made to accommodate the small crowds that come through the hostel. A toilet room addition at the back of the building was one such improvement as well as additional hot-plate type burners in the kitchen to accommodate more than two people cooking -- although it is still a rather small space.

They rent equipment for those going to hike in Able Tasman as well as provide luggage storage for you while you’re gone. They will also assist with bookings for the Abel Tasman area or your next bed. They have small convenience items in their on-site store but there’s not a grocery in Marahau so you’ll want to bring your food. Also, they are a about a fifteen-minute walk to the actual village of Marahau, so if you’re looking for dining options other than the café at the park entrance, you’re a ways out.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review