When you stay at The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel in Motueka, you'll be near the beach, within a 5-minute drive of Motueka District Museum and SimPit Technologies. .This hostel is 12 mi (19.3 km) from Abel Tasman National Park and 1.2 mi (2 km) from Skydive Abel Tasman.
Abel Tasman National Park - 37 min drive - 15.8 miles
Getting around
Nelson (NSN) - 40 min drive
Restaurants
The Smoking Barrel - 15 min walk
McDonald's - 7 min walk
Toad Hall - 3 min drive
KFC - 8 min walk
Domino’s Pizza - 15 min walk
About this property
The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel
The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel offers 13 accommodations with portable fans. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Irons/ironing boards and hair dryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a limited basis.
Make yourself at home in one of the 13 guestrooms. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include portable fans, housekeeping is provided on a limited basis, and irons/ironing boards can be requested.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. This hostel also features tour/ticket assistance, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.
Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a library. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free uncovered self parking on site
Things to do
Library
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Guest services
Housekeeping (limited availability)
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:30 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
If you are planning to arrive after 8:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests should be aware that 2 cats and 2 dogs reside at this property
For any questions, please contact the property 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), key retrieval
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals welcome)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Property payment types
Important information
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
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.
Property is also known as
White Elephant Backpackers Hostel Motueka
White Elephant Backpackers Hostel
White Elephant Backpackers Lodge Motueka
White Elephant Backpackers
White Elephant Backpacker Motueka, New Zealand - Nelson-Tasman
White Elephant Backpackers Lodge
The White Elephant Accommodation
White Elephant Backpackers Lodge
The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel Motueka
The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
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.
VERY clean. Convenient to town. We had a free standing suite with out own bathroom, refrig and tea pot. Also access to main housr kitchen and laundry facilities.
First experience with a Hostel, and wont be our last.
Great location, very friendly and accommodating staff, and great amenities. Room surfaces were quite dusty/dirty and there were spider webs found periodically but nothing too majorly bad. Heater in the room was great and the bed was very comfortable!
We had a good stay. The Cleanliness was ok. We could park our motorbikes on the property and there are a lot of cool shops nearby. In the kitchen wasn’t that much space for our stuff.
Excellent stay with everything that you would need at the accommodation and in the short walk to the town. I’ve stayed here before and would definitely recommend it
Lovely character nice and quiet very nice and helpful owner
nigel
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Gail L
Feb 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The neighborhood was a little sketchy but we walked to town without any problems.
Gail L
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stacy
Dec 25, 2023
Liked: Amenities
I cannot begin to say enough wonderful things about the charm of this hostel. The grounds were beautiful and the owner and other guests were so friendly. It was recently purchased and the new owner is continuing updates.
Stacy
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Cynthia
Feb 5, 2023
Liked: Staff & service
When we stayed it had a hotel, hostel, and backpackers with tents on the property. The gardens was amazing. The attendant was friendly and attentive