Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail
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Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail
50 Ongarue Village Road, Taumarunui 3997 New Zealand
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Room & Suite (4)
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About
#1 of 2 hostels in Taumarunui
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Specializing services to the Timbertrail including accommodation , meals , bike hire and transfers . Make Flashpackers your base while cycling the Timbertrail , no packing up in the morning and transferring your over night luggage to another hotel . Situated on the 84.5kms return cycle to your vehicle and base where a hot shower awaits you
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Property amenities
Free parking
Shuttle bus service
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English
Location
50 Ongarue Village Road, Taumarunui 3997 New Zealand
Getting there
1 Attraction
within 10 kilometers
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
We stayed one night prior to Timber Trail and were so impressed with the attention to detail throughout this beautiful property. The host clearly is a perfectionist. Everything was immaculate and clean, There were thoughtful offerings such as toothbrushes in case you forgot to bring. We chose to cook our own meal but were glad of a few condiments available for guest use as well as fresh milk for our coffee in the morning. Recommended
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: we liked the modern room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our little room was well appointed and with nice character touches too. We thought the outdoor shower/bathroom setup was clever and unique and enjoyed the spa pool under the stars. Would recommend but suggest that it is definitely worth pre-booking dinner with Rem if you'd like to eat on site. Our room had no kitchenette which was clear on all bookings etc. We didn't mind running in to Taumarunui for yummy Thai.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really enjoyed our overnight stay at Flashpackers before doing the Timber Trail. It was super clean and tidy, with everything needed for self catering. Rem has renovated the house and it has 3 rooms for guests and you basically share the house. Rem was a great host and even helped organise a shuttle up to Pureora to start the ride. Would make a great end of ride accomodation option as well before starting the next stage an adventure. We had the room with the outside shower which was really neat. Would highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Modern Room looked nice but associated bathroom facilities described as an ensuite are outside the room in a courtyard with no door for shower or toilet. There are loose light curtains that provide limited privacy (communal spa pool 5m away) and protection from weather. We did not stay and found alternate budget accommodation in Taumaranui, also very handy to Timber Trail. Owner did mention doors were in the plan for future.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Remi Rensen, Owner at Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail
Responded 6 Nov 2020
this couple turned up expecting the use of the kitchen , this room is sold as "room only", however there was another kitchen on offer reserved for tour cyclists . This couple was described by another guest as anti-social (weirdos) , why cancel a booking for a wind flapping curtain that gave you privacy at the throne not to mention night time when one would require lighting to be seen visiting . The covid up-grades are now complete but the alfresco toilet even with the doors in-place is still drafty on a windy night and handy to the spa pool
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The room provided was great, but not the host. Rem was highly critical of my level of preparedness to do the timber trail. He expressed this in a condescending and mocking manner, at length. The accommodation is very isolated and I was the only guest for the night. My room had an outside shower and toilet. The shower had a just a curtain, and the toilet had no door. I felt uncomfortable about this. I could not figure out how to get sound on the TV, His response was "Why? Can't you figure out how to do it yourself?" He then gave vague instructions and did not offer to help. He treated me as if I were an annoyance, and fairly stupid. I decided not to stay at the Flashpackers and found alternative accommodation. Nonetheless, Rem charged me for 2 nights accommodation.
Despite Rem's dire warnings, I was able to easily solve the problems with my lack of adequate preparation for the ride, and completed the trail with no problems.
I strongly recommend that if you are a woman travelling alone, you do not stay at Flashpackers.
Despite Rem's dire warnings, I was able to easily solve the problems with my lack of adequate preparation for the ride, and completed the trail with no problems.
I strongly recommend that if you are a woman travelling alone, you do not stay at Flashpackers.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Remi Rensen, Owner at Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail
Responded 3 Nov 2020
Schizophrenic Drama Queen who took leave of her senses
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.


We booked the main house with the two queen rooms. Very comfortable, clean and with character. Full kitchen and laundry and safe storage for bikes. Rem is a great host and very knowledgeable about the trail and best places to eat nearby. The spa was great at the end of a day of riding.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My friend and I stayed in the Twin room for two nights whilst doing the Timber Trail. We also booked the use of the house for one night and had the most memorable time there. Rem is an extremely gifted and multitalented host, cook, artist, and story teller. He is also an expert when it comes to advice for or information on the Timber Trail. We felt truly cared for and supported and thoroughly enjoyed his company.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The twin room is spacious, quiet, with beautiful views and a relaxing hammock outside.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed at Rem's place last weekend. The place is great, super clean, and he's never far if any hassles, of which their were none. Realky close o the begining of the Timber Trail ride, so just book it and get into it. Great bathroom and kitchen facilities. There were no complaints - and we're a tough crowd. Well done Rem, from the Wellington team.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fantastic stay at Remi's Flashpackers Ongarue.
Lovely accommadation.Vwry clean and tidy. Loved the Art Deco theme in the house. Wonderful breakfast and packed lunches to start off the day biking Timber trail.
Highly recommend staying there.
I'm pretty sure we will be back.
Lovely accommadation.Vwry clean and tidy. Loved the Art Deco theme in the house. Wonderful breakfast and packed lunches to start off the day biking Timber trail.
Highly recommend staying there.
I'm pretty sure we will be back.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rym took care of my cousin and I after the timber trail like a champion.
We had such a great stay and we enjoyed his compagnie and is food.
Best place to rest after the timber trail or during the New Zealand cycle tour.
Thanks again
We had such a great stay and we enjoyed his compagnie and is food.
Best place to rest after the timber trail or during the New Zealand cycle tour.
Thanks again
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"The twin room is spacious, quiet, with beautiful views and a relaxing hammock outside."Read full review
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionTaumarunui
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail
Which popular attractions are close to Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail?
Nearby attractions include Nevalea Alpacas (6.3 km).
Is parking available at Flashpackers Ongarue – The Hub of the Timber Trail?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.