Chill-A-While featured on Getaway Australia as Oamaru's creative destination for artists and musicians and is highly recommended by Lonely Planet as one of NZ's best and most unique hostels.
Lonely Planet review
Unleash your creative spirit at this funky and colourful hostel in a restored two-storey Victorian residence. Guests are encouraged to draw and paint, or create sweet soul music on the hostel's guitars, pianos, didgeridoo and African drums. With all that creative energy, there's definitely a laidback social vibe, and Chillawhile is one of NZ's best and most unique hostels.
Free off street parking, secured bike shelters and bike hire, ZENBU WiFi, Age Restricted Dorms, Heated Rooms, Atomic Shuttle Bus Service drop off and pick up at Chillawhile.
We are a 6-minute drive to the Little Blue Penguin Colony, 10-minute drive to the Yellow Eyed Penguins.
Official Check-in 4pm-8pm, Late check-out 11am - late self check ins are possible for our private rooms advance payment is required, free luggage storage for guests arriving early by bus.
Chillawhile Backpackers Art Gallery is a small hostel in a two-storey Victorian residence; there are 6 sleeping rooms with 29 beds all beds are fully made, 3 communal kitchens, lounge, dining room, art gallery and music room. Bathrooms and Toilets are on both floors.
Booking Desk: WiFi vouchers, evening penguin viewings, bike hire, atomic shuttle and penguin express tours, Elephant Rocks climbing and cycle tours.
We accept cash or credit card, credit card payments incur a 5% additional charge and there is a cash machine across the road.
Zenbu WiFi is available in vouchers of 200MB $2 and 1GB $5 - We promote a social interactive environment - which means the Internet is not free.
24/7 coin operated Laundry Facilities, washing machine and dryer.
Age restricted dormitory rooms 18 years to 38 years.
Hostel age restricted 50 years and under.
No age restrictions for families staying in our family room.