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Rongo Backpackers

130 Waverley Street | P.O. Box 54, Karamea, New Zealand
Hotel amenities
Rongo Backpackers
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18 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    11
    4
    0
    1
    2
Date Rating
Nelson, New Zealand
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013

We came by the Rongo Backpackers Hostel yesterday afternoon for the first time and when we walked in a weird atmosphere came across us. The girl at the front desk unfortunately did not speak very well english and did not understand us clearly while we were just asking for what was going on in town that night hoping that there... More

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
15 May 2013

Hi Jorrit D, I'm sorry you weren't able to stay at Rongo. Rongo is a business and we provide services for paying guests, it is not a public facility. There is an unwritten agreement we have with our guests, that is to provide them with privacy, safety and security. To allow you to "hang out in the common room for... More

Perth, Australia
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 May 2013

Yes "Saffron" aka Annie - we did have a great time didn't we - old school locals staying at the backpackers - loved it and will def stay there again in the future..loved the omeletes for breakfast and the herbal tea was simply YUM... Really enjoyed meeting all of the travellers & woofers! Everyone is so friendly.

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
15 May 2013

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write such a lovely review of Rongo Chritty63, I'm very glad you enjoyed staying with us and please come on back again any time soon! More

Lyttelton, New Zealand
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

After a long drive and walk to the caves and arches we decided to stay in Karamea and stopped at Rongo....I was kinda drawn to it, what a colorful and warm place! Full of different kind of arts and friendly people from all over the world! Our girls connected real quick and loved it as we did. The lovely breakfast... More

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
3 May 2013

Thank you so much for your kind words Charlotte. I'm very glad you and the girls enjoyed staying with us and yes, please come on back and stay a little longer next time...every 4th night at Rongo is FREE! Thanks again and I hope to see you again soon. More

Cervena Voda
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 April 2013

Me and my gilfriend did a great one year trip around the world. In the end of this journey, we were staying in Rongo. Its great place with great people, amazing nature, inspirative, We hope, we will visit this place again. Thanx a lot ! David and Hana, Czech rep.

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
3 May 2013

Hi Dav, thanks for taking the time to write such a nice thing about Rongo...I'm glad you enjoyed staying with us and thanks also for David and Hana for recommending our place! More

Nelson, New Zealand
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

Had a great couple of days here in March. My friends hadn't stayed in a backpackers before and also had not heard of wwoofers (willing workers on organic farms) so it was a new experience for them. I thoroughly enjoyed the Friday evening organic communal meal, this set Rongo apart from other backpackers, it was a great atmosphere sitting around... More

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
3 May 2013

Thanks a lot for your lovely review Saffron, I'm very pleased you enjoyed staying with us and the Friday dinner. Please come back again soon! More

Dunedin, New Zealand
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2013

Well, came for 1 day and stayed for 4!!! Fabulous place and great people too. Even for those of us who 'may' be a tad older than your average backpacker, this place was a treat --- welcoming, friendly and fun. Very 'quirky' ---- in an 'interesting, colourful, comfy ' way --- with really good underpinning philosophy supporting conservation and self... More

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
1 April 2013

Thank you Mary and Derek, it was a pleasure to host you both and please come on back again any time. Thank you also for taking the time to write a review about your stay at Rongo and for your kind words. Happy Trails from Paul and the Rongolians. More

Dunedin, New Zealand
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 December 2012

I just spent a wonderful Christmas at Rongo with Paul, Sanae and Co. I went to check it out because my daughter spent time there on the Wwoof scheme a few years ago and really loved the place. I was made to feel really welcome. The Wwoofers were very friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Rongo is a... More

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Paul M, Owner at Rongo Backpackers, responded to this review
15 May 2013

WOW, thanks for such a comprehensive report of your stay with us Frances! It was a pleasure to meet you and thank you so much for your kind words and for recommending Rongo to other travellers. I hope you can come and stay with us next Christmas/New Year as you were model guest! Regards from Sunny Karamea, Paul. More

Los Angeles, California, United States
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 May 2012

Rongo is a hidden gem in Karamea. Comfortable, cozy, warm, artistic, stimulating. There's always something going on over there, whether it's a radio dj show, a campfire, music-making, art-making, farming, etc etc. My partner and I arrived at Rongo with the intent to make a short documentary about Paul's (the owner) larger project -- the Living in Peace project. We... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Christchurch, New Zealand
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012

We were looking for really any accommodation in Karamea over Easter because we have been very late with our bookings. So we contacted the owner of Rongo backpackers initially for renting one of his holiday homes. They were booked out but he offered us a double room in Rongo backpackers. This was not a given because we were travelling with... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Nelson, New Zealand
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 March 2012

Hi Paul and Sanae Wonderful to meet you both and spend time with you either side of our Heaphy adventure, thank you for hospitality, friendship and the loaned books and DVD! I think the concept of what you're setting out to do both here and at the Karamea Farm Baches is fantastic and with Dave now newly in charge of... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Last Resort
Great value on a similar hotel
Karamea, South Island
4 of 5 stars 57 Reviews

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Additional Information about Rongo Backpackers

Address: 130 Waverley Street | P.O. Box 54, Karamea, New Zealand
Region: New Zealand > South Island > Karamea
Hotel Style:
Ranked #1 of 3 Speciality lodging in Karamea
Price range (per night): 52 AUD - 56 AUD
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Rongo Backpackers
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