Best Budget Accommodation in Punakaiki, New Zealand
Last Updated: 26th July, 2023
Welcome to Punakaiki, a breathtaking coastal village located on New Zealand’s West Coast. Renowned for its stunning native forests and the famous Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki is a must-visit destination for travellers! There is a variety of budget accommodation options in Punakaiki that provide comfort and convenience without breaking the bank.
Whether you prefer cozy lodges nestled amidst lush greenery or budget-friendly motels with easy access to the beach, Punakaiki has something to suit every traveler’s needs. Here I have listed my top 6 places to stay while exploring this area, enjoy!
Top 6 Budget-friendly Accommodation in Punakaiki
1. Te Nikau Retreat | Punakaiki
This beautiful accommodation in Punakaiki offers a secluded and spectacular getaway into the wild West Coast of New Zealand. Te Nikau Retreat is nestled into native bush, only 3km north of Pancake Rocks and the stunning Punakaiki Beach! They offer a range of unique accommodation for any budget – from self-contained cottages, lodges, and private rooms. If you are looking for privacy, the cottages are fully self-contained, including a fully equipped kitchens. Otherwise, you can stay in one of their grand lodges – perfect for families, couples or solo-travellers!
Highlight of this accommodation: Apart from the stunning location and cosy lodges, a highlight of this accommodation are the activities nearby! Join a tour to see the incredible glowworms, or take a private track through the bush to the breathtaking Truman Beach!
2. Punakaiki Beach Camp | Punakaiki
Punakaiki Beach Camp is an awesome option if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Punakaiki. It is a fantastic base for exploring this awesome area, around 15 minutes walk from the Pancake Rocks, and they even have a shuttle service to the famous Paparoa Track!
This campground has a variety of accommodation options to suit all travellers! Whether you are looking for a comfy place to pitch your tent, a cute timber cabin nestled in the trees, or a fully-equipped holiday home, Punakaiki Beach Camp have the lot! They have a wide range of facilities, including a huge communal kitchen and dining room, a drying room (perfect for those wet days on the West Coast), WIFI, and modern shower and toilet facilities. It is located in the most stunning spot, right on the beach beside the mouth of the Pororari RIver, and so no matter which way you look, the views are gonna be incredible!
3. Punakaiki Beach Hostel | Punakaiki
Attention backpackers! Welcome to the cutest hostel on the West Coast! This quirky hostel is located right on the beach, with a sunshine yellow verandah overlooking the stunning Tasman Sea. It shows off the best New Zealand has to offer, with friendly hospitality, loads of information on the best things to do, and clean and inviting facilities. The kitchen is modern and spacious with good equipment, the beds are cosy and clean, and they have decent showers! They have a range of room options, from private rooms with views of the sea, to spacious (and cheap) dorm rooms. How good!
4. Charleston Holiday Park | Barrytown
This backpackers is located around 30-minutes drive north of Punakaiki, in the charming town of Charleston! Although it is a little drive away, it’s an awesome place to stay when exploring the region. Along the scenic drive along the coast, you will pass awesome spots like Fox River and Seal Island, as well as many of the secluded and wild beaches of the West Coast.
Charleston Holiday Park offers a range of budget-friendly accommodation, including stunning cabins with sea views, bunk rooms, and both powered and unpowered sites. They are an awesome place to base yourself if you are looking at exploring a larger section of the West Coast, as they are close-by to the Seal Colony and The Nile River Rainforest Train (how cool does that sound?!).
5. Coast Road Holiday Park | Punakaiki
This beautifully-maintained Holiday Park is family run, and you can really feel their love for the West Coast! The Coast Road Holiday Park offers a safe and secluded campground nestled among native forest. This is a very basic campground, allowing you to relax into the wild nature of the West Coast. Facilities include roomy parking and tent sites, as well as basic toilets, drinking water, wifi, and picnic tables. This is New Zealand camping experience at its finest!
Note: This campground only cost $10 per person/night, however remember to bring cash!
They also run an ecotourism business and a wildlife conservation trust for the Westland Petral, which breeds on their property! This focus on conservation means that you will get to experience the full joy of the dawn chorus that New Zealand is known for. Keep an eye out, as the Great Spotted Kiwi also inhabits the surrounding forest and may be heard calling at night!
6. Beaconstone Eco Stay
If you’re looking for something a little different and memorable, then check out Beconstone Eco Stay. This incredible accommodation is very quiet as secluded, located up in Charlston, around 30-minutes from Punakaiki. They offer a number of huts and cottages, each with their own unique and beautiful character. These cabins boast incredible mountain and bush views, where all you will hear is the sounds of native West Coast wildlife.
Highlight: This stunning accommodation has a focus on sustainability, and having a low impact on the environment! It is a truly memorable place to stay on the West Coast, built with sustainably sourced native timbers, solar powered, and surrounded by organic gardens.
The facilities at Beconstone Eco Stay are gorgeous, with comfortable beds made from New Zealand wool, and natural timber furnishings giving the huts a a cosy atmosphere. What makes this accommodation awesome and a little different is that it is off the grib – meaning no TV, and no internet (but they do have a lot of books and games)! This is an incredible opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and sink into the wild nature of the West Coast!
Thank you for reading my post on Budget accommodation options in Punakaiki! I hope this helps you plan a memorable trip without breaking the bank!
Now, as you’re in Punakaiki, i’m sure your first stop is going to be visiting the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks… amiright? Of course I am, it’s always my first stop here! For more info on visiting these incredible rock formations, check out my post here! 🙂 Happy Travels!
