uploading camera files

Hi there, Im just wondering, mainly for those of you who are already been to NZ...

I want to not take my laptop to NZ coz it would be a pain in the arse to carry around etc etc. So I will be taking my video camera and still camera and im just wondering if you guys had trouble with hostels letting you upload your memory cards onto a external hardrive thingy...

I got told today at JBhifi that some hostels and internet cafes wont let you do that in fear that you can transfer viruses etc..

I will be taking A LOT of footage naturally so I want to be able to wipe the cards free every so often..particularly after going to Milford Sound...

Thanks
Liz