Wonderful characters a reward for hard work at backpackers

A fire that broke out in a room of Rotorua's oldest backpackers ignited a gas canister and blew the roof off one of the buildings - just a few months after the McDonnells took over the business last year.

For the couple from Brisbane, the disaster made for the worst possible start, as they were forced to close for three months while the damage to several parts of the complex was repaired.

"It was a hell of a blow. We could have easily packed up and walked then," Joe McDonnell said.

But they hung in and the past 18 months have proved to be one of the best times of their lives.

"Owning a backpackers is a lot of fun. The greatest pleasure you could get is from all the interesting people you meet. There have been some really interesting characters, people who really blow you out of the water," McDonnell said.

Cactus Jack's was established in 1912 and has existed under names such as the Bondi Hotel, Criterion and Ivanhoe Lodge.

"Since we have been here, we've had people come in and tell us things like, 'My mum used to work here'," Sheryl McDonnell said.

"Apparently the place was quite swanky at one stage, because this woman's mother used to do things like iron the lace tablecloths."

If there is one accurate description for the business now, it is "laid back". The McDonnells routinely hang out with their multinational guests during the day, getting to know them and their stories.

"If these walls could talk they would tell a few stories," Sheryl McDonnell said. "We must have had every nationality by now ... psychiatrists, scientists, an underwater submersible helmsman. Even the guy who used to be the helicopter pilot for Elvis."

Cactus Jack's is also home to many touring bands that pass through Rotorua, including Katchafire and 48May.

"We had a Maori rugby league tournament in town recently and those boys were fantastic. So polite and they kept the place spotless."

Sheryl McDonnell has days when she changes 58 beds in a morning "and because it's an old building, you have to be pretty thorough when it comes to cleanliness".

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)