Recently updated on September 1st, 2022 at 11:18 am
Are you planning a trip to New Zealand and wondering where to stay while on the South Island? You are in luck. We shared our full itinerary a few days ago here and now we wanted to add the places we stayed and loved.
I have been really excited to share our favorite South Island stays since we have gotten a few questions about it. Planning a trip is a good portion of the fun and selecting the places we would stay in New Zealand was our entertainment for weeks.
We plotted out the South Island places we wanted to spend time exploring and then we spent time reading through reviews and making lists. We sorted by dollar amount and worked to keep each stay under $50/night. There are places that cost more than that, but we worked really hard to find spots that were affordable.
I left a few places off the list completely because I wouldn’t recommend them.
Our Favorites
Garden Suite in Dunedin
Dunedin is a town with a lot of hills. This guesthouse is located on one of those hills with a perfect view of the sunset and the green hills on the outskirts of town. We enjoyed our first real rest day here and it was perfection. We were close enough to town, but you felt like you were far from all other people when you were inside. The only thing I would warn you about is the hill you have to climb to get to the house. I got all my monthly exercise in during our three-night stay.
Farmstay in Te Anau
This wasn’t the type of farm stay where you do work in exchange for accommodation. It was the kind where Daryl takes you around the property and introduces you to the Sheep, the Cows, the Chickens and the Dogs. The guest studio is attached to their garage on their beautiful property outside of Te Anau. You can watch Mildred (my favorite Sheep) from the kitchen window.
Cottage near Golden Bay
Sue was one of our favorite hosts. This cabin was where they lived when they originally moved to the property about 35 years ago. It has everything you need to be comfortable, plus the bonus of a washing machine. The cabin is surrounded by citrus trees and beautiful flowers. Sue & Mike live just on the other side of the garden and were so wonderful to talk to. We started talking about our next stop in Bali and they set us up with the places they always stay when they visit. They know the owners so well at one in Amed and we are going to stay there for five days next month.
The location was really great for this place as well. You can explore Abel Tasman National Park and everything that Golden Bay has to offer. You are only about an hour from Nelson and just ten minutes from Takaka.
Woodbecker Bay Bach in Punakaiki
This was really the pinnacle on the South Island for us. This was the place that sat on the rocks overlooking the Tasman Sea with no other homes in sight. The sunset views were the best I’ve ever seen. Even your view from the toilet is breathtaking.
There is a full kitchen with everything you need. A comfortable living room area with views of the waves crashing on the rocks below. The wood-burning fireplace keeps it cozy at night and the walls are covered in artwork and books.
Staying here will forever be a highlight of our time on the South Island. I almost hate sharing it in fear that it will be booked the next time we return, but it is too good to not share.
The Comfortable Spots
While they didn’t make the favorites list, these places were all great to stay at and I’d recommend them if you’re looking for accommodations that are comfortable and convenient.
Christchurch Apartment
This was the first place we stayed after arriving. The beds were so comfortable and allowed us to rebound from jet lag almost immediately. There wasn’t too much walkable, but the place had everything we needed. The price was unbeatable and we were really pleasantly surprised when we arrived.
Guesthouse in Twizel
This guesthouse was gorgeous. Twizel is the closest town to Mt Cook National Park and is a great place to base out of. You can walk to the town’s restaurants and grocery store from here. Plus, the space is very comfortable and has everything you need.
The Whistling Frog Resort
This was a last minute change for us. We cancelled our AirBnB stay because we wanted to be located right in the middle of the Catlins area. This resort was very cheap and had a wonderful restaurant that served a special guest happy hour. We stayed in one of the cabins which is just a bed and a few chairs, but it was perfect for one night. The location cannot be beat if you want to explore the area. Link from Agoda here if you use that booking service instead.
Queenstown Suburban Studio
Although I have said that I would not spend as much time in Queenstown in the future, I would stay at this studio again. It’s located in a suburban neighborhood with some great riverside trails close by. You can get to Queenstown in about 10 minutes, but you can also avoid the traffic and chaos as well.
Waterfront Hotel in Kaikoura
This was another last minute add for us. We wanted a comfortable bed, a bathroom that we didn’t have to go outside for and waterfront views. This place got us everything, plus a great deal for booking last minute. You can also walk to restaurants and the Strawberry Tree from here as well as the Peninsula Walk. Link from Agoda here if you use that service instead.
Renwick Studio with Bicycles & Vineyard Views
Having bicycles to use when staying in the middle of the Marlborough Region was such a huge perk. This little studio is close to about twenty different wineries. We didn’t get to meet the host, but she left us a map with some of her favorites circled. It was also great to have a garden that included views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards.
My Advice
Make sure to read at least 10 reviews on the place. There are people that are never happy and may leave a bad review, so I always read lots to get a feel.
I made sure that we had access to a washing machine at least once every ten days. I also looked for some sort of kitchen in as many places as possible. Just a hot plate will allow you to cook tons of meals. I would also recommend booking at least one place that is on a farm in New Zealand. We have hung out with animals all over the country and it is great.
First time AirBnB user? Get $40 off your first booking by using this link.
My last piece of advice when using AirBnB is to ask questions. Our hosts all gave us great recommendations. The ones that we met in person were so wonderful to talk to. We got to learn more about life in New Zealand and talked about everything from gun control to Bali with our hosts.
