With a stay at Dusky Lodge - Hostel in Kaikōura, you'll be near the beach, within a 15-minute walk of Kaikoura Museum and Kaikoura District Museum. .This hostel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Kaikoura Beach and 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Peninsula Walkway.
Kaikoura District Museum - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
Peninsula Walkway - 6 min drive - 3.1 miles
Point Kean Seal Colony - 9 min drive - 3.8 miles
Getting around
Blenheim (BHE-Woodbourne) - 102 min drive
Restaurants
The Whaler - 10 min walk
Cods n Cray - 3 min walk
Why Not Cafe - 11 min walk
King Tide Eatery - 16 min walk
Cafe Encounter - 3 min drive
About this property
Dusky Lodge - Hostel
Hostel with free parking, 9-minute walk to Kaikoura Museum
Dusky Lodge - Hostel offers 40 accommodations with safes. This Kaikōura hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
A seasonal outdoor pool and a hot tub are on site.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include safes, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Enjoy recreational amenities such as a hot tub and a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional amenities at this hostel include complimentary wireless internet access, a television in a common area, and tour/ticket assistance.
Satisfy your appetite at Sicarios, a poolside café which features a bar/lounge. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe.
Featured amenities include a computer station, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Sicarios - This poolside café serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. 1-star Michelin rating. A children's menu is available.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Food and drink
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
A restaurant
Coffee and tea in common areas
Snack bar/deli
Restaurants on site
Sicarios
Things to do
Hiking/biking trails
Hot tub
Seasonal outdoor pool
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Seasonal outdoor pool
Snack bar/deli
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Tour and ticket assistance
Business services
Computer station
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
In the mountains
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
More
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Private or shared bathroom
Towels provided
More
Heating
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of NZD 20 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Pet fee: NZD 20 per pet, per stay
Service animals are exempt from fees
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 72 out of 217 reviews
10 - Excellent
72
Rating 8 - Good. 87 out of 217 reviews
8 - Good
87
Rating 6 - Okay. 35 out of 217 reviews
6 - Okay
35
Rating 4 - Poor. 17 out of 217 reviews
4 - Poor
17
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 217 reviews
2 - Terrible
6
8.0/10
Cleanliness
8.4/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
7.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Owal
Sep 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I liked how clean the property was and the facilities, e.g. kitchen with an oven. However, my room smelled musty and old which was unfortunate.
Friendly team and great facilities. We look forward to coming back when the weather is warmer and the cafe and pool are open.
Well equipped kitchen facilities providing 180⁰ views of the mountains whilst cooking.
Great location being centrally located on the main road a 5 minute walk from the town centre.
Needed a bed for short stay in Kaikoura en route to Picton ferry. Dusty Lodge was available, pet friendly and the lower end of budget. Arrived after reception shut but they had left key and instructions to room. It was very small especially considering we paid $20 extra for a dog but was equipped with a tv, fan, stools, desk and plenty of hooks which I like for hanging bags, leashes, coats etc. Could see a pool, spa and sauna plus 2 kitchens which we didn't have time to use. Not used to sharing a bathroom with strangers so that was a big minus - reason why I wouldn't likely book again. Nice walking distance to dairy open til 11pm and next morning to bakery for coffee and scone.
Dorothy
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
6/10 Okay
Pritilata
Traveled with partner
Feb 19, 2025
Liked: Staff & service
The only staff we interacted with was professional but friendly & helpful. Rules were strict, followed resulting in a calm & peaceful atmosphere
The reception was warm and welcome. Our room was spacious, clean and comfortable with a small desk and a queen bed. It is close to the bathroom so it was very convenient. The 24hr kitchen was clean and amazing with a view and door leading to the terrace with seats etc.
check out is easy and straightforward. We did not have a car this time but it would be quite convenient to go park in the back.
The walk to town is around 10 minutes but we had to cross the “highway”/main road which makes it a little inconvenient. There is a day’ n night market steps away and a great fish and chips and seafood restaurants also steps away.
Bich-Ha Henriette
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
6/10 Okay
Caroline
Feb 6, 2025
Unfortunately it was quite noisy, the walls are thin and you can hear most of what happens in the other rooms.
Caroline
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
8/10 Good
Carolai
Jan 30, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Very comfortable beds, a very nice place to rest.
Carolai
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Darryl
Traveled with partner
Jan 27, 2025
I thought it was good value for money.
Darryl
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
6/10 Okay
Verified traveler
Jan 26, 2025
I’m not a hostel person
This is a ‘well-used’ hostel. I probably would not stay here but this is where the group I was travelling with stays. Too basic for me, it might be okay for others.
The room was clean and the staff were friendly. However there was 0-none tv reception and you could hear people moving chairs, heavy stomping above you at random hours. The stairs leading from the kitchen/dining area were a bit suspect too.
Myra
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
8/10 Good
Ferdinand
Traveled with family
Jan 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
private rooms accommodates 4 guests, 2 bunk beds, 1 double beds, TV did not work during our stay
Kaikoura is very popular and this was the only room at a sensible price. En suite family room with use of communal kitchen. Nice and quiet with view of mountains for breakfast
Very smelly and unhygenic room.. Staff tried to help ti change tge room with her limited time but besds are dusty, smelly, stained with some or otger thing.. Very disappointed with the stay... Miserable
We arrived 10mins after checkin and could not get in contact with the “after hours manager” we sat around waiting for an hour calling the provided numbers, and found him lighting the fireplace. Kitchen was nice hot tub was great. They have large TV and lounge area on both levels. Hopefully next time there will be better communication