We did it!  We jumped from our comfort zone and stayed in a hostel.  Stephen and I were not brave enough to stay in the dorm style room (which was quite economical) but we did forgo the comforts of an en-suite.  This means I had to walk down the hall in search of a bathroom at midnight and 2:00 am.  Due to a well-known rock concert in town, hotel rooms were at a premium in Wellington.  This left us without affordable accommodations and an opportunity to try hosteling.

The Dwellington In Wellington

I did some research before booking and picked The Dwellington, which had very high ratings on TripAdvisor and was an easy walk from the city center.  Our room was small with the bed pushed up against the wall but the sheets were clean and towels were provided.

Double Room

To our surprise the internet was the best we experienced in New Zealand.  We could catch up on emails, pay bills and even watch Netflix.  There were plenty of washing machines for our dirty laundry and the kitchen was fully stocked with space for many guests.

Although it was not a problem for Stephen, I was bothered at night by noisy neighbors and slamming doors.  Probably a good pair of earplugs would remedy this.

We were pleasantly surprised by our first experience in a hostel.  Stephen and I both enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow travellers and would consider this mode of travel again.  Perth is our next stop with another house-sit beginning soon.

A Long Walk to the Toilet