If you are looking for a room near Tauranga at New Year _ you'd better be quick.
That's the message from the Tauranga District Motel Association network of more than 40 accommodation centres. There will be no rooms to spare come Saturday.
And those seeking city backpacker accommodation are already out of
luck.
Both Harbourside Backpackers and Mount Backpackers have been booked out for the past three weeks _ and with the owner's three-day minimum stay policy, no-one will be shifting out on January 1.
The businesses are just two of many who are enjoying the annual influx of New Year party-goers. Devonport Rd's Loft 109 and Just the Ducks Nuts Backpackers have no beds to spare either and Tauranga Central Backpackers' 58 beds are fully booked too.
Pacific Coast Lodge Backpackers owner Murray Gamlin said bookings had filled in August. "There are just never enough beds this time of year".
Premises at Maxwell's Rd Apple Tree Cottage Backpackers were almost full.
Tauranga District Motel Association president Tony Burrell said those in the market for motels would have to get in quick.
To help people find a room, the association runs a duty roster over this period to ensure people are accommodated for the New Year.
"There are still rooms available, and if people ask any motel in the association they will be able to forward them on to finding a room," Mr Burrell said.
"They'll all know when the last room is gone, then we will start referring people on to motels in Katikati and Matamata."
Mr Burrell said the motel industry catered for a different market to holiday parks, backpackers and at the other end of the spectrum, apartments at Mount Maunganui.
"There is no doubt we will be full up on New Year's Eve, that's for sure."
For others hoping to cash-in on the holiday accommodation shortage, punters did not seem to be responding so close to holidays.
Bay man Lindsay Clark placed an advertisement for the short-term rental of his property near Bayfair over the summer period. He bought the rental earlier this month.
He said the unfurnished four-bedroom house had been advertised for $1500 per week over the peak season, although he did not expect to get that much so close to New Year and would probably lower the cost to $150 a night.
