Located just a 5 minute walk from the beach and the small downtown of Paihia, the Pickled Parrot Hostel is a great getaway from the loud and over-crowded hostels minutes away. Set back off the coastal road and tucked away behind several larger hotels, the hostel enjoys a quieter atmosphere than most. With a variety of rooms centered around a courtyard providing a perfect communal area for dining on a warm evening, this is a social but relaxed place to take in the Bay of Islands and all that it offers. The kitchen is equipped with everything you’d need with a small breakfast even included, rare for hostels in New Zealand. The shared bathroom (between men and women) was a bit strange, but worked out okay for the couple of nights I was there. 

There’s plenty to do in the Bay of Islands and the Pickled Parrot is a great base for kicking off any activity.

www.pickledparrot.co.nz