Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Flying Nun Backpackers
Full view
View all photos(9)9
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
About
#24 of 26 hotels in Gisborne
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
See why so many travellers make Flying Nun Backpackers their hotel of choice when visiting Gisborne. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a budget friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.
Close to Titirangi Domain (1.5 mi), a popular Gisborne landmark, Flying Nun Backpackers Hotel is a great destination for tourists.
Guest rooms offer air conditioning, and Flying Nun Backpackers Hotel makes getting online easy as wifi is available.
In addition, guests can enjoy a lounge during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests.
While in Gisborne be sure to experience local bangers and mash favourites at The Rivers Restaurant and Bar.
During your visit, be sure to check out Tairawhiti Museum (1.0 mi), which is a popular attraction within walking distance of the hotel.
At Flying Nun Backpackers, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to Gisborne.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Spa
Room features
Air conditioning
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Quaint
Location
147 Roebuck Road, Gisborne 4010 New Zealand
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 45 out of 100
45
Gisborne Airport
3.4 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
13 Restaurants
within 1 kilometer
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore 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.
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.
Traveller rating
- 9
- 3
- 7
- 4
- 9
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
Found the place quite creepy. The locker system for cups and plates was very strange. I did worry a little bit about the security of the place, but then i did have a room right by the front door with people going in and out all night.
Overall it was clean and comfy.
Overall it was clean and comfy.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2006Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
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 price is really good, it's 21 nzd per night and you are paying 2 nzd extra for bedsheets.
The old lady, who is running the hostel is really unfriendly and weird.
The check in took me about 15 min because i had to wait for her many times.
Guests are also not allowed
The old lady, who is running the hostel is really unfriendly and weird.
The check in took me about 15 min because i had to wait for her many times.
Guests are also not allowed
Read more
Date of stay: May 2016Trip 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.
This place is far away from everything, not that there is much to see or do in Gisborne. The hostel wasn't very clean and the lady running the show was not very helpful and didn't seem to really care at all. If you must visit Gisborne (I'd go to Napier instead), find somewhere else to stay and go luck....there isn't much budget accommodation to be found.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Private 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.
Where you will be treated to a top class, clean and fantastic service by a wonderful flying nun...........yes I am being sarcastic. OK, it has its good points. Listed here > Free Internet. One Computer that around 40 people wait on and then you find out the PC Keyboard is knackered. Any other good points.............No. One way to describe this camp of war is possibly......unreal. When I visited here with my Danish friend, we had to get drunk everyday to numb the feeling that this place actually existed. You walk in to the camp intitally, to be greeted by the flying nun himself, who sighs when you ask for a room and rattles through brief army instructions within 5 minutes. The next question I had whilst being briefed was "where am I being deployed too" A week in Afghanistan would probably be on a par with this kamp of destruction. You were then given assigned cutlery, which looked as if it had came straight out of 19th century volcano ruins and a "secure" locker to place your belongings. As I had a tent with me, I decided to stay at the Glorious camp grounds. Dont get me wrong, as it was around 12 bucks per night, I wasnt expecting anything too fancy. "Something comfortable and cosy" I thought, However when I found the electric barb wire fence around me, I began to believe I was in training for my final "Jihad". The tent was set up and I made my way around the place for a nosey. It wasnt too bad outside, places to sit and drink, tv lounge, table tennis and pool also available and free. So this was good points. I cant constantly slate it all the time I suppose. Then I found 2 caravans down the bottom.................I wondered if these caravans had been to Southport in England and back again...5000 times. The interior was absolutely unreal, but aparantely you can eat lunch etc in these....if you want ecoli/aids. Also, there was some lovely cats running WILD around the grounds and in the kitchen. Whilst I dont mind cats eating food on the worktop, I couldnt help but wonder to myself WHAT exactly was going on. Its like a timewarp of death being placed infront of you. People who had stayed there for a period of time were saying it was lovely........The flying nun(woman/sergeant) on reception is unbelievable. Not helpful at all and hates people staying there.I really cant describe how arrogant/unhelpful/dictator this woman was. I am really really really dissapointed that I had to give this one star, because to be honest, it deserves zero. The website says "we are all about good times for all" when it should really read " we want you!" with a picture of winston churchill next to it. My experience of the shower room was pleasant. I walked in and found someones dodo on the shower floor. Whilst this is not the hostels fault I thought, at first, that I was in Greece or something and you just did the toilet down a hole. Wrongly mistaken as the toilet cubicles are NEXT to the showers. If anyone has a bath in this hostel I will honestly bow down and obey them for the rest of my life.Anything else I have missed? Stay at the Flying Nun Backpackers if you want to a) die b) contract a deadly virus or c) you get the point.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Dont. This place has so much potential but new owners and a complete overhaul are needed asap. DUMP
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.
I have never in my life experienced a place more worse than this, and the first thing that comes to my mind when i think of this place is: Warcamp. Simply unreal, the house smells like old horse, and i think the reason is the owner "the flying aggressive nun" which obviously have not had a shower for many years. Your thoughts come back to world war 2 as soon as you walk into the place, with electrical fences, and your own cutlery shelf like you were in a army barrack.
simply unreal. My advice - dont ever come here. I think it is sad that you have to give this place one star, it doesnt desverve anything. run a bulldozer through it and the world will be a better place.
Anders - Denmark.
simply unreal. My advice - dont ever come here. I think it is sad that you have to give this place one star, it doesnt desverve anything. run a bulldozer through it and the world will be a better place.
Anders - Denmark.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
I consider myself well-travelled. I have stayed in budget accommodation throughout South America, New Zealand and Europe, including the East. I have never had to deal with staff that show such disdain for the paying public. I had to wait 15 min just to get into the place. It also seemed to be a massive inconvenience for her to reach into her shirt to get my key deposit on checkout. It was as though I was dealing with a teenager with an attitude problem. The location is very remote from Gisborne's retail centre. You will be looking over your shoulder if you come back late from dinner, like 630pm. In terms of cleanliness, overall the place just seems very tired, so it seems laughable that you have to pay an extra 2$ for sheets. Whatever they cost, they should have been paid off 5 years ago. The kitchen looked clean, but given the weird vibe that the staff give off, I would suggest eating in your room. There is some consolation that the internet access was free, but this does not mean it is wifi. It was via the dirtiest computer I have ever seen in my life and that would be 1 for the whole complex.
All in all, it is a depressing place. The building has some historic note as a former convent and training place for singer Dame Kirri. Perhaps it would be best suited for something else. In other words, do not stay here.
All in all, it is a depressing place. The building has some historic note as a former convent and training place for singer Dame Kirri. Perhaps it would be best suited for something else. In other words, do not stay here.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
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.
During my month of travelling around NZ this was the worst place I stayed. The building is a grey concrete monolith, it is dark and dingy inside. You collect your own personal cutlery on arrival that reminded me of going into amy barracks or a boy scout camp. The place is reasonably clean for a hostel, but is run down, downright depressing and maintained to the absolute minimum. The rubbish-strewn grounds are surrounded by a barbed wire topped electric fence. The camp site (joke) is a grubby back yard. The owner should be ashamed of herself - spend some of your many unfortunate guest's money on refurbishing this eyesore. By the way... your pc keyboard is knackered as well.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2010Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 were greeted by a very helpful lady - we could not locate our room as the number was stamped on the key itself not the fob so she explained thoroughly a second time.
Intriguing architecture and a pleasant olde worlde atmosphere. Situated right on the edge of town and somehow manages to have a holiday feel, probably due to the age of the building which is reminiscent of european religious accommodation.
Downside - we only needed two beds and a third was crammed in but if three were staying, very cheap.
I will definitely stay again.
Intriguing architecture and a pleasant olde worlde atmosphere. Situated right on the edge of town and somehow manages to have a holiday feel, probably due to the age of the building which is reminiscent of european religious accommodation.
Downside - we only needed two beds and a third was crammed in but if three were staying, very cheap.
I will definitely stay again.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
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.
My friend and I stayed in this backpackers after being redirected by the fully booked YHA.. what a dump.. Our first welcome was from the handy man who was friendly and apologetic that we had to wait about 30mins for the owner to return from a short trip into town.. When she did arrive there was no 'hello, how are you? where have you come from?' basic customer service skills for the tourism industry... or anywhere really. The owner lady, treated us like we were 2years old. Asking us for money for bedsheets, key deposits and then seperate deposit for a key for some plates and cutlery which should just be included because pretty much every backpacker will cook in to save money.. she made it way too complicated for herself and everyone around her. She clearly hated the job/place and everyone in it. There was no information about the free internet until one of the other guests told us,.. that was probably the only good thing about the place. So many rules and regulations on every wall and poster. The place is very run down and needs a big renovation and new owner. I had the worst nights sleep in my 2 years of travelling. Glad to have moved on to somewhere much nicer... I would stay in the YHA or just stay in Napier next time...
Read more
Date of stay: October 2011Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
This place was filthy and other backpackers complained of theft. The staff was the most rude i have seen along my travels. The kitchen was FULL of flies. There was no quiet place to sit. They allow camping so the hostel common areas are overcrowded. They do a free pick up but would not take us back to the bus in the morning so we had to call a taxi as the bus station is about 3 km away.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2009Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
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.
"Dont. This place has so much potential but new owners and a complete overhaul are needed asap. DUMP"Read full review
ALSO KNOWN AS
flying nun backpackers hotel gisborne
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandGisborne RegionGisborne
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingFLYING NUN BACKPACKERS | Hotel Reviews (Gisborne, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Flying Nun Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Flying Nun Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include Gisborne i-SITE Mini Golf (1.0 km), Te Urewera National Park (0.8 km), and Smash Palace (1.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Flying Nun Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a lounge, a spa, and internet access.
What food & drink options are available at Flying Nun Backpackers?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Flying Nun Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include Bollywood Star Indian Tandoori Restaurant, Tamarind, and Sofra Turkish Cafe.
Is Flying Nun Backpackers located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Gisborne.
Are there any historical sites close to Flying Nun Backpackers?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Siege of Waerenga-a-Hika Memorial (10.4 km).