Chillawhile began as a dream, a vision on my travels - to transform every great building into a hostel.
Art Gallery: A place of artistic creation, filmic appreciation, quiet contemplation, literary digestion, web migration, incessant chatter or piano key melody depending on the whims and desires of its inhabitants. This room has a piano, a large dvd collection with a number of Kiwi classics, a fully equipped painting studio with wifi access.
Lounge: A place of musical experimentation with a wide variety of instruments and an open mic stage. Here you will find acoustic guitars, African Djembe drums, an organ, a didgeridoo and a variety of other percussive and wind implements to fill the room with a spectrum of sound. There is also a large selection of games, puzzles, chess and even a giant jenga for your amusement, wifi friendly too.
Downstairs Dining Room: Adjoining the lounge and capturing the sun all day, you will find a larger dining table for 8 persons. A computer with free Internet access and book exchange can also be found here.
Upstairs Foyer: Our free continental breakfast is ready here every morning for you to start the day with friends. It is the heart of the house on the 2nd floor with a small table for 2, a larger table for 5 and a table close to the ground for those who enjoy a more laidback seating on the floor. You can view an entire wall of art leading down the staircase to the ground floor.
Kitchens: We have 3 small kitchens but you can find everything you need to cook and bake because this is what we do at Chillawhile - we eat a lot! During the summer time, we crank up the BBQ and enjoy the outside fire.
Outside Gardens: We have a beautiful cactus garden that leads you to the outside shed where you can find the ping pong table, a herb garden for everyone and a spacious lawn space for kicking about a football and playing swing ball with a backdrop of native New Zealand. Our outside fire can be used on calm nights for your outdoor parties. At the front of the house, there is an actual park with swings and seesaws that your kids would definitely enjoy.
Sleeping Dorms and Rooms: Our rooms are spacious and comfortable, the beds are fully made, each room is designed in a way that encourages social interaction with fellow guests, each room has an area of seating to relax, wifi access is accessible from all rooms. Works of art can also be enjoyed from the comfort of your own bed.
Marapua House - the Maori word for flower
Welsh historian from the British Empire - WHS Roberts settled in Oamaru in 1878, building a lavish home and gardens. He named his home Marapua, the Maori word for flower. Marapua, now known as Chillawhile Backpackers Hostel, offers our guests a slice of life during Oamaru's Victorian Colonial days - remanence of the British Empire Reign in New Zealand.
