Hotels of Earth

Empire Hotel Backpackers

Thames street 13, Oamaru, NZ

8 guest rating· 730 reviews

About this hotel

Charming Backpacker's Haven in Oamaru

Unique Garden Setting : Enjoy the serene garden surroundings at Empire Hotel Backpackers, perfect for relaxation after a day of exploration.

Convenient Amenities : Benefit from free WiFi, shared kitchen facilities, and luggage storage, ensuring a comfortable stay for all guests.

Entertainment Options : Have a blast playing billiards in the shared lounge, adding a fun and social element to your stay.

Experience comfort and camaraderie at Empire Hotel Backpackers – book now for an unforgettable adventure in Oamaru!

Rooms & rates

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6-Bed Male Dormitory Room

Sleeps 6 · 12 m² · 6× Twin bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Toilet paper
  • Body soap

The dormitory room features a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 6 beds.

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

Sleeps 3 · 3× Twin bed

  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Free WiFi
  • Shower
  • No rollaway/extra beds
  • No cribs (infant beds)

<p><strong>3 Twin Beds</strong></p><p><b>Internet</b> - Free WiFi </p><p><b>Food & Drink</b> - Shared/communal kitchen access</p><p><b>Sleep</b> - Bed sheets </p><p><b>Bathroom</b> - Shared bathroom and towels</p><p><b>Need to Know</b> - No housekeeping, no cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available</p><p>Non-Smoking</p>

Single Room

Sleeps 1 · Twin bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Toilet paper
  • Body soap

The single room features a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.

Family Room with Shared Bathroom

Sleeps 4 · 7 m² · 2× Bunk bed

  • Shower
  • Toilet

The family room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.

Budget Double Room

Sleeps 2 · 7 m² · Double bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Toilet paper

The double room offers a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.

Budget Twin Room

Sleeps 2 · 7 m² · 2× Twin bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Toilet paper

The twin room offers a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 2 beds.

Female Dormitory Room

Sleeps 6 · 12 m² · 6× Bunk bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Toilet paper

The dormitory room features a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 6 beds.

Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room

Sleeps 1 · 14 m² · Bunk bed

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Toilet paper

Rooms are 14 square yards.

Amenities

  • WiFi available
  • Free Parking
  • Accessible parking
  • Street parking
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Family rooms
  • Billiards
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Designated smoking area
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Garden
  • Heating
  • Laundry
Show all 19 amenities
  • Luggage storage
  • Picnic area
  • Shared kitchen
  • Shared lounge/TV area
  • Smoke alarms

Location

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Thames street 13, Oamaru, NZ

Check-in
from 01:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Check-out
until 10:00 AM

What guests say8730 reviews

+ Central location+ Friendly staff+ Clean+ Good amenitiesOutdated roomsLimited staff presenceInconsistent cleanliness
Cleanliness7.4
Service8.4
Location8.9
Room Quality7.3
Amenities8.4
Value for Money7.8

Guest review

5.0

There is no staff on property. No assigned bunks either. My room had all bottom bunks taken even though I especially requested bottom bunk. Staff is basically incommunicado. Rooms were hard to lock behind. Top bunk had no charging ports nearby hoarded by bottom bunks. Kitchen doesn’t have enough cutlery or cleaning supplies. Over any thing I did not feel safe staying there. I left minutes after checking in forcing me to find a place last minute.

Mandeep · US · 2026-07-24

Guest review

7.0

Great location and perfect accommodation for a short stay.

The room was a little cold.

Joanna · GB · 2026-07-21

Guest review

6.0

Good kitchens.good showers .comfy bed Nice lounge and log burner. Easy parking. Walking distance around CBD.

Not much room to put bags under bed.multi plug board on floor full of plugs And a bed light..not easy to negotiate fr bunk to door.not admins problem , problem lies with bunkies who are not safety aware.

eleanor · NZ · 2026-07-13

Guest review

8.0

I came to see the penguins and steampunk HQ and it was just right around the corner from the Victorian quarter. Super close walk to everything. The bathrooms and rooms were much cleaner than I thought they would be. Very clean in comparison to other hostels I've stayed in. It can feel a bit spooky when you first come in since it's self check in and there were hardly any people around during winter. But the blankets were very warm and there was a nice fire downstairs near an outlet where I could plug in my phone and charge other electronics.

It's in an old building which is very pretty but the plumbing is quite old so just make sure to flush as you go when using the toilet. Some people clogged the toilets while I was there. The shower pressure was great though and very hot and warm.

Sophia · US · 2026-07-06

Good to know

Guest cannot check in after 21:00.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

A deposit may be required at the property.

Internet

WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Children and extra bed policy

Children of any age are allowed.

You haven't added any cots.

You haven't added any extra beds.

Parking

Free public parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible).

Pets

Pets are not allowed.