Globe-trotters and sight-seers want to get the most out of traveling: Seeing new places with their own eyes (rather than online), encountering different cultures, meeting many people or getting closer to nature.
The most important thing to consider, in order to make your next hike better, is you need a comfortable place to stay. If your itinerary includes Australia, book your flight now and check out a number of hostels fit for recommendation leaving you spoilt for choice.
While hotels may not be an affordable option for everyone, there are great hostel destinations that provide quality service at economical rates.
For those of you wishing to accommodate a private room, kindly check with the hostels if they have any. Below is a list of some of the most sought-for hostel destinations in Australia at affordable prices.
BEST HOSTELS IN PERTH
Billabong Backpackers Resort
This amazing hostel offers the best environment for backpacker in Perth.
It’s a modern building with AC private & AC shared rooms, lovely living room, a spacious fully equipped kitchen, eating area and laundry. The outside garden area is very spacious and has an amazing swimming pool, chairs, tables, pool table, basketball area, and table tennis.
The hostel offers FREE breakfast and budget meals which are an amazing deal for backpackers. It has great location and a very high ranking from previous guests. Make sure you check out this place while spending time in Perth.
The Witch’s Hat
The Witch’s Hat is one of the most unique hostels in the world and definitely one of the BEST hostels in Australia because the building dates back to 1897.
The staff of the hostel is very friendly, helpful and creates a beautiful experience for all the guests.
They keep very relaxing atmosphere with NO parties and occasional BBQs and events for backpackers. It’s properly equipped with everything that you could possibly need as a backpacker discovering streets of Perth. If you are a chilled type of traveler, geek backpacker, digital nomad or couple, that’s the spot for you!
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BEST HOSTELS IN MELBOURNE
Habitat HQ
Habitat HQ is not just a hostel! It’s award winning place in St. Kilda, the most popular beach of Melbourne.
It has an amazing location, only 20 minutes from the center and walking distance from the beach. It’s a very artistic place made by creative people which definitely attracts the coolest backpackers coming to Melbourne, Australia. Habitat HQ is equipped with all the necessary facilities you expect from a modern hostel.
There are connected to best agencies and organize trips to most popular places around Melbourne, such as, Ocean Road and Phillip Island. You can easily book them ONLINE. Enjoy your stay
United Backpackers, Melbourne
In the heart of Melbourne and opposite to the iconic Flinders Street Station is the United Backpackers.
Its ambiance has outlandish décor and quirky art throughout the hostel. It features brand new facilities with basement bar: Lost and Found, guest laundry open 24/7 and free luggage storage. Does it have free Wi-Fi? Yes.
Home at the Mansion, Melbourne
Home at the Mansion is for those who wish to party all night. It was voted Hostelworld’s most popular hostel in Melbourne in 2012, 2013 and 2014 & nominated for ‘Best Medium Size Hostel’ in the world. Situated right next to Brunswick St, nearby locations to look for are the free city circle tram line, Carlton Gardens, China Town, Federation Square, and the MCG.
Don’t let its small size deceive you; when it comes to facilities it has all! FREE Wi-Fi, DVD & PlayStation areas, laundry, communal kitchen, free luggage storage, 24-hour reception, and tour information and bookings.
But the new café grabs everyone’s attention which is called Victoria’s Secret where daily events will keep you coming for more.
The Nunnery, Melbourne
It is a beautiful old building with lounge areas for chilling and courtyards for hanging out. In and around Fitzroy, travelers can experience Melbourne’s live music, bars, and cafés.
The staff over here is called The Nuns who help create a relaxed home setting. The hostel offers free weekly pub crawls, soup nights, free breakfast every day (Pancakes on Sunday) breakfast every day (pancakes Sundays) and BBQs with wine.
BEST HOSTELS IN CANBERRA
Canberra City YHA
Situated in the city center, it is in proximity to Australia’s capital’s several free attractions.
The accommodations Canberra City YHA offers are: Multi-share, double/twin and en suite rooms. If you enjoy sitting in the breeze and reading, you can check out the seating area on a large rooftop with a city view.
Facilities like café, kitchen, swimming pool and an ‘Underground bar’ are available here. Just a few meters from the hostel, banks, shops, and cinemas of the city’s main shopping hub are located.
BEST HOSTELS IN SYDNEY
BOUNCE Sydney
The rooms are spacious, spotless and air-conditioned with lockable storage, for those who are looking for security.
Each locker also possesses power sockets where you can safely charge your phones, laptops, cameras and music players. Along with a well-designed kitchen, there is a dining area, rooftop terrace, and lounge.
The terrace not only shows a magnificent view of Sydney skyline but also the BBQ area with weekly social events like, on Thursdays $1 Aussie Hot Dogs and on Wednesdays $2 Burgers. Social events involve pizza nights, night clubs, pub crawls, movie nights and more.
Wake up! Sydney
In 2017, Hoscars awards rated this hostel as the ‘Most Popular Hostel in Sydney and one of the BEST Hostels in Australia’.
Just across the road from Sydney Central Station. Places present nearby are Chinatown, Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbor and Sydney Sky Tower. The name does not restrict itself to comfortable beds and sleeping; it provides 24-internet access, on-site ATM, a restaurant, a café, and a licensed bar: SideBar (open from 4 pm till late).
The fresh layout and friendly staff make sure you’re having a blast when you spend your time at Sydney’s #1 Backpacker and Student Bar: SideBar.
Backpacker’s HQ, Sydney
Between the friendly staff and other guests, you are sure to find new friends in this home away from home. Located in the bustling Kings Cross neighborhood of Sydney, this hostel is the perfect place to either relax and regroup. Included free with your stay is breakfast, wi-fi, city maps, and even a walking tour.
Enjoy breakfast in their outdoor atrium before walking out to the famous Sydney Opera House which is just a 30-minute stroll away. Mixed dorms with four to fourteen beds are available with security lockers.
The hostel is conveniently located close to local restaurants and bars but also offers a shared kitchen if you prefer to stay in. When relaxing at this hostel, enjoy a 24-hour lounge with cable TV, a book exchange, and even a giant chess set!
BEST HOSTELS IN BYRON BAY
Arts Factory Lodge
Wanna spend a great time in Byron Bay? Then you should head to Arts Factory Lodge hostel which offers the best experience for hippie backpackers in the area.
It has a long history and belongs to Australia’s Nomads community. Arts Factory comes with proper Byron Bay spirit and the most friendly atmosphere ever!
You can enjoy the swimming pool vibes, fun workshops, day trips, yoga lessons or just walk to the beach in less than 10 minutes. One thing that surprises everybody it that you can even find Arts Factory recording studio and get some records done if you like. Make sure to check this place out!
Nomads Byron Bay
From Superior King rooms which have en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee, plasma screen TVs to private, shared dorms, family rooms, and female-only dorm rooms, Nomads Byron Bay has all accommodation types fit for different travelers.
Situated behind the iconic Great Northern Hotel and 2 minutes away from an amazing main beach, it is a desirable place to be in the center of town. If you are looking to meet new people, participate in ‘Daily Activities’ like Cheese and Wine Nights, BBQ’s, Light House Walk, VIP nights to the best local bars and others.
After tiring trekking, you can come back to Nomads Byron Bay to rest in the 12-seater Jacuzzi and let your problems evaporate.
BEST HOSTELS IN BRISBANE
Summer House Backpackers, Brisbane
The hostel likes to keep a green world approach with solar panels and insulations to keep out heat and noise. It has a sun lounge where you can either sunbathe during the day or stargaze during the night.
If you are looking for a bar with unique ambiance, Summer House Backpacker’s bar is in a 150-year-old warehouse with a great vibe and outlandish décor.
Daily events that are hosted here are: Free BBQ dinners, a free boat cruise along the Brisbane River, Italian night with free dinner, free pancakes on Sundays, free cheese and cracker nights and more.
Bunk Brisbane – one of the Best Hostels in AUS
Awarded the ‘Best Hostel in Australia in 2016’ and ‘Golden Backpack Awards 2016’, Bunk Brisbane is situated at 10 minutes walking distance from the city center. Art galleries, cafés, nightclubs, pubs and ethnic shops of various kinds are within 100 meters. Prominent features of this hostel are free pick up from Roma St Station, huge self-catered kitchen and a TV lounge with FOXTEL. If you like to stay up all night and want entertainment, Birdees (a nightclub and a bar) will take care of that. Outside the hostel, there is an open area with a swimming pool and hot tub.
If after going through the still you are still not convinced, then see for yourself by booking your next cheap flights to Australia! So, which one got your attention the most? Power point and reading lamp with every bed for reading, free meals, awesome entertainment, terrace with a breathtaking view or a Jacuzzi?
BEST HOSTELS IN AIRLIE
Nomads Airlie Beach, Airlie
This is a destination fit for those who like to get close to nature. It has 7 acres of tropical flora and fauna in the center of town, equipped with a poolside bar, swimming pool and a volleyball court. Every room has a Melanesian style accommodation suite at reasonable prices.
As mentioned previously, if you want a more outdoor experience, Nomads Airlie Beach is the only hostel in Airlie to offer proper camping facilities.
Magnums, Airlie
Winner of 2012 & 2013 Whitsunday Tourism Awards – Backpacker Accommodation, Finalist 2012 and Silver Winner 2013 Queensland Tourism Awards – Backpacker Accommodation, Magnums is a fantastic choice in Airlie.
The rooms are spick and span daily with clean linen, thanks to the friendly housekeeping team. Facilities include coin-operated washing machines in the laundry, fully equipped shared kitchen, undercover eating area and a recreation room (51-inch PLASMA TV, games and free Wi-Fi). Please check with the hostel regarding internet service as it may not be free!
BEST HOSTELS IN CAIRNS
Gilligan’s, Cairns
Here is another option for travelers who love to party.
Centrally located in the heart of Cairns, Gilligan’s is right next door to Rusty’s Market and offers air-conditioned rooms with en suite. A
part from basic facilities like Wi-Fi and high-quality kitchen, it offers free airport pick up from 8 AM-8 PM, amazing lagoon swimming pool, and an entertainment section with crazy themed nights (Jelly Wrestling, Bogan Bingo, Wet T-shirt competitions, world-renowned DJs, annual events: Annual Sinners Ball, Halloween, and Ultraglow). It has hosted music acts for 12 years and continues to be ahead of the game.
Dreamtime Travellers Rest, Cairns, Queensland
If you are a traveler who likes the tropical vibe, this place is for you.
Set among tropical garden with a pool where guests can lie in hammocks and enjoy the atmosphere. The rooms are fan-cooled with free bed linen; however, air-conditioning comes with additional cost.
While there are shared bathroom facilities, there are 7 shared dorm rooms having en suite. It is also equipped with two kitchens and a laundry facility. Other services to look for can be tours booked free of charge, free pool table, weekly BBQ and pizza nights with free movies on a big screen and a license bar.
BEST HOSTELS IN TASMANIA
Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse, Hobart-Tasmania
Present in the village of Battery Point, it takes just a 5-minute walk to reach nearly 30 cafes/restaurants and the famous Salamanca Market.
It offers high-quality accommodation featuring hotel-quality linen, quality mattresses, woolen duvet/doonas, and blankets and towels. Keep in mind bathrooms are not en suite!
For readers, every bed has a PowerPoint and a reading lamp.
Special facilities like the coin-operated laundry and bicycles for hire are available, along with a garden with picnic tables, BBQ, sitting room with log fire, and balconies with a mountain view making it a multi-award winning hostel in the center of Hobart.
BEST HOSTEL IN MAGNETIC ISLAND
BASE Magnetic Island
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of breathtaking views and a vibrant nightlife, this is the hostel for you. BASE offers mixed dorms, female sanctuary dorms, and even camping sites. You’ll need to bring your own tent for camping but the hostel has free parking and free wi-fi to keep you connected.
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at their convenient on-site cafe or relax at their island bar, which has decks overlooking the water. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, self-catering facilities, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.
While you wait for the party scene to come out at night, keep your group entertained during the day with board games, the pool table, a book exchange, or time spent relaxing in the common room.
At night, the BASE comes alive at their island bar with fresh music and bar games to keep the party going long into the night. Enjoy the entertainment at the best party bar on the island!
AUTHOR BIO: This is Yousuf A. Raza, a professional content writer, and digital marketing expert at Dream World Travel who enjoys writing, playing football and cooking during my spare time.