Early morning view over Oamaru: the town, the curve of the bay and boats in the harbour, seen from the hill above

Oamaru · North Otago · New Zealand

A small hostel with a big heart, in New Zealand's coolest town.

Comfy beds, a warm welcome from Agra, and little blue penguins coming ashore five minutes' walk from the front door.

11dorm beds, so you'll know everyone by dinner
5 minwalk to the penguins
5 minwalk to the Victorian precinct
Sundaysfarmers market, just down the road

Book an experience, not just a bed

Meet Agra. Most guests just call her "Camp Mum".

When you arrive at Swaggers you'll be greeted by Agra, whose unconventional approach to running a hostel (and to life in general) has made an impact on thousands of travellers.

She'll often take new arrivals on a ten-minute "tiki tour" of town, so you know the best spots, and drop a few hints about where to find the penguins when night falls.

Meet Agra

Agra with guests and the hostel dog on the front steps, surrounded by red flowers — The front steps

Agra with a smiling guest outside the hostel — Camp Mum

The hostel dog asleep on the rug — Head of security

At the bottom of the street

Two kinds of penguin. One short walk.

Oamaru is one of the best places in New Zealand to see penguins in the wild. Little blue penguins waddle ashore at dusk within five minutes' walk of our front door, and the rare yellow-eyed penguin comes home to Bushy Beach, just around the coast.

Ask Agra where to look when night falls. Keep your distance, stay quiet and never use a flash.

Two little blue penguins at the entrance to their burrow at night

5 min walk

Little blue penguin · kororā

The world's smallest penguin. They come ashore after dark to their burrows around the harbour.

A yellow-eyed penguin photographed in Oamaru

Bushy Beach

Yellow-eyed penguin · hoiho

One of the rarest penguins on Earth, seen heading home in the late afternoon.

The Swaggers experience

Small enough to feel like home. Social enough to leave with friends.

Relax
Arrive to a warm, welcoming house and a very comfy, ready-made bed, just like home.
Begin
Once you're settled, head out: penguins and beautiful heritage buildings are minutes from the door.
Socialise
With only a handful of beds, you'll get to know everyone quickly, usually while searching for penguins together.
Enjoy
Leave well rested, with new friends and an experience you'll remember for a long time.