The YHA Springfield hostel is one of Springfield's oldest homes starting its history back in the 1870s as a guesthouse for the Bullock trains passing through. Set on just over one acre of grounds it offers plenty of space for rest and enjoyment and been extensively renovated with all modern backpacking facilities. Backpacker accommodation at YHA Springfield, Smylies Accommodation consists of twins, doubles and multi-share rooms, studio motel and a two bedroom family unit. YHA Springfield backpacker hostel has full recycling facilities to minimize our carbon footprint.

There is an extensive collection of English and Japanese books to be found on the bookshelves and in the TV lounge we have a good collection of videos and DVDs as well as broadband internet. Winter favourites at the YHA Springfield hostel include Japanese bath and kotatsu and skiers love the ski tune up room and drying room. YHA Springfield, Smylies Accommodation also has a popular Japanese restaurant on site.

If skiing at Porters ski field, travel in comfort in one of YHA Springfield’s certified 4wd vehicles. From Christchurch airport pick-ups to sightseeing around the South Island we can offer a solution to your travel needs. We can advise on where to go bouldering around Castle Hill and have climbing mats for rental and a mini climbing wall to practise on. Whatever your needs or interests, you can be sure that the YHA Springfield Smylies hostel offers quality backpacker accommodation at an affordable price.

Special features at YHA Springfield that backpackers love:

• Japanese wooden bath (check availability when booking) and kotatsu heaters for keeping warm in winter.
• All the facilities needed for a ski holiday: ski, snowboard and clothing rental, a ski tune up room /storage room and a drying room.
• There is wealth of adventure activities right on the doorstep of YHA Springfield, including the ski fields of Porters and Mt Hutt.
• Delicious Japanese restaurant in the YHA Springfield hostel
• Bouldering/climbing mat rental and mini climbing wall to stretch your muscles.
• Broadband internet facilities with Skype phone, CD burning, USB and card reader.

About Springfield

The small attractive town of Springfield, less than an hour’s drive from Christchurch, is known as the gateway to the Southern Alps. There is a multitude of activities on Springfield’s doorstep, the most popular being skiing, tramping, fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, jet boating and bouldering!

There are six fantastic ski areas all within a short drive from the Springfield hostel for the ultimate ski holiday. The ski fields are Porters, Mt Hutt, Mt Cheeseman, Craigieburn, Mt Olympus and Broken River. YHA Springfield, Smylies Accommodation provide transport to the Porters ski field, only 23 kilometres away from the hostel.

Join the Tranz Alpine train from the Springfield train station for a day trip to Arthur's Pass passing through spectacular mountains and high country scenery, giving yourself plenty of time to walk around Arthur's Pass village before returning to the hostel.

There are many wonderful walks you can do in the Springfield, Southern Alps area from short 30 minute walks to 3 days walks. The Springfield hostel can help provide transport to some of the nearby parks including Korowai Tussockland Park, Cragieburn, Oxford Forest, Castle Hill reserve and Cave Stream. Castle Hill is a popular place to try bouldering or abseiling and Cave Stream is well-known for its 362 metre long cave which you can walk through, if you don’t mind getting wet!

When you come to stay in Springfield we can guarantee you won’t get bored.

Top activities to do while backpacking in Springfield

• Skiiing: many of the South Island’s best ski fields are close to Springfield including Mt Hutt and Porters.
• Catch the Tranz Alpine train from Springfield to Arthur’s Pass and back again for a brilliant day’s excursion for some glorious New Zealand alpine views.
• Castle Hill Reserve basin is famous for its limestone rock formations and bouldering / rock-climbing.
• Cave Stream is long underground stream/cave which is exciting to walk through. But please keep an eye out for the weather and follow the instructions.
• Rubicon Valley Horse treks are two and half hour horse treks through some spectacular scenery, from beginner to advance
• With the family at the YHA Springfield hostel becoming more and more interested in mountain biking we are finding some fun tracks to which we can take or guide you to.
• Jet boating on the braided Waimakariri River.

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