Wanderlust News
Celebrate Matariki in Tauranga
This winter, as the Matariki stars rise over the harbour, Aotearoa comes…
Autumn Adventures in Tauranga
Autumn in the Bay of Plenty is a hidden gem—and one of the most stunning…
Tauranga Jazz festival
Just a short stroll from the hostel, the city comes alive with live jazz,…
Boat Party on Tauranga harbour
At Wanderlust NZ, we’re famous for our events and for bringing people…
Stay, Work and Play! Fruit picking in Tauranga
Join us at Wanderlust NZ, Tauranga’s top waterfront backpackers, and we’ll…
Celebrate the Festive Season at Wanderlust NZ
Christmas in NZ has a unique summer twist! It’s a time of sunshine,…
Top 10 Bucket List Adventures in Tauranga
Whether you’re into hiking, beach lounging, or uncovering the town’s artsy…
Labour Day: A Backpacker's Guide for Wanderlust NZ Guests
Labour Day marks the achievement of the eight-hour workday, and it’s a…
A Day in the Life of a Backpacker at Wanderlust NZ
Curious about what a typical day at Wanderlust NZ looks like? With stunning…
Kiwifruit Seasonal work - Bud Thinning in the Bay of Plenty
If you're a backpacker exploring New Zealand, the Bay of Plenty is a region…
Jobs for backpackers
Spring has arrived, bringing along a wave of job opportunities! Every day,…
Discover Mt Ruapehu: Your Ultimate Adventure Playground
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand's North Island, Mt Ruapehu stands tall…
Travelling NZ in your campervan
A campervan trip! You imagine waking up to the sound of waves on a quiet…
Interviewing a Wanderlust NZ Guest
What do guests really love about staying in our hostel? Why do they love…
Plastic Free July
During Plastic Free July, we want to remind our guests that running a…
20 must know sayings before travelling to New Zealand
Travelling to New Zealand? What if you don't understand a word the locals…
Perfect for group accommodation
Whether you are traveling as a school group, sports team, club, family…
Why choose to stay at Wanderlust NZ?
Alright, adventurous traveler, let me break it down for you why picking…
A Traveller's Guide to Working in the Kiwifruit Industry in the Bay of Plenty
If you're a traveler seeking adventure and employment, look no further than…
Immerse yourself in Māori Culture in New Zealand
New Zealand, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, is a…
Tiaki Promise - Care for New Zealand on your travels.
The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now, and for…
Summer festivals hitting the Bay
Tauranga is the ultimate summer destination, boasting some of New Zealand's…
The Importance of Guest Reviews for Our Hostel
Guest reviews are crucial for our hostel's success. They build trust,…
Journeying through New Zealand's South Island: A Hitch-Hiker's Dream Come True
Hitch-hiking through New Zealand's South Island has etched itself as a…
5 reasons why working overseas is a must!
Embarking on a journey as a working backpacker overseas is an extraordinary…
What is Kiwiana?
If you want to learn about New Zealand culture, you first have to know…
What to do on a rainy day in Tauranga?
With the weather starting to get colder and wetter as the days go by, we…
Strangers become friends
The best part about travelling is always the people you meet! At Wanderlust…
Surfing in Tauranga
What to hit some awesome breaks and surf with some locals?
The Bay of…
Hostel 10 Commandments
There are some rules that every backpacker should live by to respect your…
The Lost Springs
The Lost Springs is a massive tourist attraction centered in the mighty…
The 59th National Jazz Festival - in Tauranga
Experience the electric vibe on the packed streets or an intimate music…
Short walks around Tauranga
Visiting Tauranga is not just about the beautiful sandy shores of Mount…
Work and Travel in NZ
The moment we all have been waiting for finally is here! New Zealand is…
Kiwifruit season is here!
We assist our guest’s finding jobs on orchard’s and in the pack houses, in…
Top waterfalls to visit
As you may already know, New Zealand is no stranger to hosting some of the…
Water Adventures in the Bay
There are so many ways to enjoy Tauranga, and as you can guess, heaps of…
A Kiwi Christmas
Nothing better than a Christmas at Wanderlust NZ! Our guests are far away…
Bar crawling in Tauranga CBD
Where to go for the best live music, drinks and food in town!
Tauranga's Foodie-guide
Our personally selected foodie-guide in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
Getting Your Tauranga Summer Plans Sorted
You really can’t go wrong with planning to spend the summer in Tauranga –…
Orca in Tauranga Harbour
Come and relax on our hostel outdoor balcony area overlooking the Tauranga…
Plenty of Kiwifruit Jobs in Bay of Plenty
Kiwifruit season is year round in the Bay of Plenty which means we have…
Our Wander-ful Launch Event
20th October, 2020, was the official launch event of our newly renovated…
Bringing Nature Indoors with Stunning Wall Art
If you have visited one of our hostels, you will recognize the signature…
Go Local! Tauranga accommodation providers get post-Covid future-ready
Harbourside City Backpackers owners Matt Young and Sarah Meadows in front…
A Short History of 105 The Strand
Our beautiful historic building at 105 The Strand has actually been around…
Tauranga's Most Instagram-able Places
We've collated a list of our top picks of best places to get that perfect…
People Say...
Awesome customer service and staff. Really enjoyed my stay and would love to return.
- Google Review -
Stayed here for about 3 months in total now and can honestly say, that this is my all time favourite hostel. They are constantly trying to improve and provide a very good and friendly service. And the best thing are the good vibes at that place, you'll love it.
- Google Review -
Fantastic facilities right on the waterfront with easy access to public transport. Can make friends from all around the world.
- Google Review -
