Black Sheep Backpackers

Best hostel I’ve ever stayed in, Sauna and hot pool are massive bonuses and people are the best. Great views from everywhere, staff super chilled. Only gripe is how little space the bottom bunk has in comparison to the top but that’s just me being bias because I kept hitting my head. Definitely gonna book this hostel every time I’m in Qtown.

Great location, short walk to town. Fantastic staff- friendly, helpful, welcoming and they really make it feel like a homely experience. Great facilities- reliably super clean and tidy, love the sauna and spa, and bike rental choices available. Have stayed here several times during different seasons and will happily choose to stay here again on future visits to Queenstown. Thank you! 😊

I don’t often leave negative reviews, but I feel it’s important to share my experience so that other travelers — especially women — can make an informed decision.||From the start, the stay was disorganized. Check-in is only done through an app that you must download, and no check-in information is provided until 3pm — unless you happen to catch someone at the front desk. We were told that each private suite came with a hairdryer, but there wasn’t one in our room. The “lobby offerings” were also disappointing: an already-opened container of Tim Tams and a water cooler that wasn’t refilled regularly.||The amenities were misleading as well. Laundry was advertised, but guests aren’t told that the machines only operate between 5pm–11pm. When we returned from a late tour, we tried to do one quick load around 9pm. The machines only take coins, and the front desk doesn’t provide change — meaning we had to walk 10 minutes into town to find some. When we got back, we had to rush through the cycle, and the washers were older didn’t even include a spin option, so our clothes were soaking wet. At 10:15pm, we asked if we could wait a few minutes past 11pm for the dryer to finish, and were told no. The staff member, came in at 10:58pm, joked that we were “there until the last minute,” then awkwardly backtracked, saying she was “only joking.” When we asked if there was another laundromat nearby, she told us to “ask the morning receptionist.” We ended up outside in the cold trying to rinse the moisture by hand in the dark for about 40 minutes. Her name was Denise||||The situation worsened with a serious safety issue that left me deeply uncomfortable. The hostel does not notify guests when bathroom codes change — the app still displayed the old one, and I had to personally ask for the update.||The next morning, a male housekeeper entered the women’s bathroom while I was about to start the process of undressing to shower. He left the door open, and I immediately gathered my things and left. I reported it to the front desk, named Nicole, who told me he was “in training” and that they’d speak to him.||Not even 10 minutes later, I went to a different female bathroom to try again, and the same male housekeeper entered thatone as well — this time while I was in the shower. The door opened thinking it could have been another guest I decided to continue but when I realized the door hadn’t yet closed I called out “hello?” He didn’t knock or announce himself, and when I asked if someone was there, he simply said “hi” and claimed he thought I was upstairs. The door was still open. I quickly ended my shower. I felt extremely unsafe and shaken.||I immediately went back to the front desk to report it again to Nicole. There was no apology, only acknowledgment that “he did it again” and another promise that they would “speak with him again.” When I told my husband what happened, he went down to speak with the same receptionist, who then contradicted my account and told him I “wasn’t undressed the first time” and that she wanted to make sure “he was getting the correct facts.” I was stunned. We both went back together to clarify, and she insisted she had misunderstood me — but still offered no apology. Another female staff member stood by said nothing, the only resolution was that our feedback would be “handled internally.”||Their only proposed “solution” was for us to check out early, with a refund for one night. We were told the male housekeeper wouldn’t be assigned to the bathrooms the next day, as if that somehow resolved the issue of discomfort. ||At no point did anyone take responsibility or express genuine concern that a male staff member had twice entered women’s bathrooms unannounced, while guests were inside. The lack of care, accountability, and professionalism from the staff was truly shocking.||The only redeeming aspect of this hostel is its location. Everything else — from the lack of clear communication and unreliable amenities to the complete disregard for guest comfort and safety — made for an unpleasant and distressing stay.||||If you are a female traveler or someone who values basic safety and respect, I strongly urge you to stay elsewhere until management takes these issues seriously.

We had such a great stay here! The team were super helpful and welcoming, especially the lovely lady with the blonde hair who went out of her way to assist us. The open spaces really stood out – we loved relaxing in the lounge by the fireplace, it felt so cozy and social. The bathrooms could be a bit bigger, but honestly, that wasn’t a deal-breaker at all. For a three-night stay, this place is perfect. They also offer bike rentals, which is awesome if you want to take a ride down to the lake. We stayed in the King room and it exceeded our expectations, super clean, had Netflix, plenty of coffee facilities, and was really warm and comfortable, especially in the middle of winter. The central location made it easy to get around town as well. Overall, a great experience – would definitely recommend!

Great facilities for a backpackers and a chilled atmosphere. Location is great being out of the hustle of the town but only a 2 minute walk away. Sauna and hot tub are awesome bonuses which are free to use. Private room was great with a wee fridge and jug which made my stay convenient. Kitchen is stocked with everything you need to cook. Enjoyed my stay here!

I was staying here for a few days back in April and had some issues with the place. My biggest issue was with the design of the toilet/shower rooms. At least one of the women's shower rooms is very tightly packed (If I remember correctly, the one on the 2nd floor). There's not enough space to brush your teeth when other people have used the toilet and need to wash their hands. There was nowhere to put your belongings while in the shower. I even mean nowhere to hang a towel, never mind a place to set soap. The sink counter would get so wet because they weren't well designed so even if people were being careful, they were super wet. My next complaint is about the key system. I do not like being required to download an app in order to access my room. Or needing to bring my phone to the bathroom, especially when there's nowhere dry to put down my phone when I shower. The facilities were not worth the price I had to pay for being in Queenstown. The staff were very nice, especially Nicole.

I would not recommend this hostel, especially for female travelers. The check-in process was confusing, amenities were misleading (no hairdryer, limited laundry hours, no coin exchange, unclean common areas), and the staff were unhelpful and dismissive. Laundry was advertised, but guests aren’t told that the machines only operate between 5pm–11pm. When we returned from a late tour, we tried to do one quick load around 9pm. The machines only take coins, and the front desk doesn’t provide change — meaning we had to walk 10 minutes into town to find some. When we got back, we had to rush through the cycle, and the washers were older didn’t even include a spin option, so our clothes were soaking wet. At 10:15pm, we asked if we could wait a few minutes past 11pm for the dryer to finish, and were told no. The staff member named Denise, came in at 10:58pm, joked that we were “there until the last minute,” then awkwardly backtracked, saying she was “only joking.” When we asked if there was another laundromat nearby, she told us to “ask the morning receptionist.” We ended up outside in the cold trying to rinse the moisture by hand in the dark for about 40 minutes. Most concerning, a male housekeeper twice entered the women’s bathroom while I was undressed or showering, without knocking or announcing himself. When I reported it each time after it happened (within a 20 minute window) the staff, Nicole, she offered no apology, downplayed the situation, told my husband I didn’t offer the correct facts and changed their tone when I returned with him and only suggested we check out early and reimburse us for the night we already paid for. The lack of accountability and disregard for guest safety was unacceptable—the only positive thing about this hostel is its location.

If you’re looking for a long term stay black sheep might not be it. The people of black sheep are wonderful, the management is incredibly hostile. They constantly change the rates to make more money with no regard for the people living there. They close the kitchen at 11 and the lounge at 12 so if you work late shifts you have no where to eat or relax after work. It is run like a hotel not a hostel. There’s no regard for building community, for nurturing good relationships with guest, or even an ounce of mutual respect between the management team and the guests. The reception team is fantastic, they deserve the world. It’s the management and owners who ruin this otherwise wonderful place.