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The 10 Best Hostels in Australia: Where to Stay on a Budget

The 10 Best Hostels in Australia: Where to Stay on a Budget

I spent a full year traveling and staying in some of the best hostels in Australia. In that time, I came across some exceptional accommodation options, and have learned how sophisticated and extensive the hosteling network in Australia really is.

If you’re traveling around down under and aren’t sure where to stay, this list will give you some direction. Here are ten of the best hostels in Australia.

  • Southern Cross Backpackers
    Southern Cross Backpackers in Agnes Water.

    Though a bit out of the way from the main town, Southern Cross is a beautiful and relaxing place to spend a few days; it’s a funky hostel with cabins instead of rooms, the property large, licensed to serve alcohol, and there’s plenty of space to hang by the pool or in the open-air lounge!

  • The Ritz for Backpackers
    The Ritz for Backpackers in St. Kilda, Melbourne.

    Don’t let the name throw you—The Ritz is no luxury accommodation. It’s comfortable, though, and it feels like home, which makes it a great place to hunker down for a while if you’re sticking around Melbourne. Many of the rooms are split, so the eight-bed dorms felt more like four-bed dorms and there’s a comfy TV room tucked away in the corner with plenty of movies available on their hard drive.

    It’s walking distance to the beach, it’s very social, and there’s always an easy way to meet people, whether it’s in the kitchen, in the courtyard or on their weekly wine-and-cheese night. The Ritz staff organize events and activities on most nights so there’s always something to do. It’s a gateway into all the glory that is St. Kilda. Melbourne is one of the best backpacker cities in Australia, so don’t miss this one!

  • The 10 Best Hostels in Australia: Where to Stay on a Budget
    Melaleuca on Mitchell in Darwin, Australia.

    There are a LOT of hostels in Darwin, many sitting next to or across the street from each other. Darwin is a happening town and Melaleuca on Mitchell fits right in. The rooms aren’t huge but that’s okay because you probably won’t be spending much time in them. The common area is right outside next to the pool and bar where most people are hanging out and relaxing on sunny days (there are a lot of those in Darwin!).

    Darwin as a whole is a bit sketchy at times, so their night-time security guards mean you can rest well without worrying about your safety or your belongings.

  • Brisbane City YHA
    The Brisbane City YHA.

    I’ve been told that Base Brisbane Uptown (formerly Tinbilly) is another hostel worth considering, but the Brisbane City YHA still managed to make the list of best hostels in Australia. This hostel, inside the mansion-esque security gates, operates like a resort. The rooms are your standard dorm rooms, and the floor plan resembles more of hotel than a hostel, but the common areas and facilities are very retro, well-maintained and absolutely top-shelf.

    This hostel boasts a sundeck on the roof with an adjacent swimming pool as well as tables galore to enjoy a book or a few beers with a few new mates that you met making noodles with in the enormous, stainless steel kitchen. The TV room is basically a cinema and there’s a great bar downstairs with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a cool place to be.

  • Islander Backpackers Resort in Surfer's Paradise
    Islander Backpackers Resort in Surfer's Paradise, Australia.

    I can’t remember exactly how I found this place (it wasn’t on any booking sites at the time), but I’m glad I did. Islander Backpackers Resort is a hotel with backpacker accommodation on the side. The lounge area is comfortable and sits adjacent to the kitchen and huge balcony/BBQ area.

    Surfer’s Paradise is another one of Australia’s party towns and plenty of other hostels cater to it. The Islander was quieter than the others (which was nice a nice change), but it definitely wasn’t quiet (which was a good thing)! All the hotel’s facilities are available to backpackers as well (i.e. the pool) and it’s only a few minutes walk from the beach.

  • Gilligan's, Cairns
    The lagoon at Gilligan's in Cairns.

    Ah, Gilligan’s. The infamous Gilligan’s. No list of the best hostels in Australia would be complete without Gilligan’s.

    It’s not really that cheap, and if you’re looking to get to sleep before 5am (seriously), I wouldn’t really recommend staying here. But, if you’re looking for a party by the lagoon or an even better party at their bar, this is exactly where you want to be. The rooms are in surprisingly good shape (good work, housekeeping) and the rest of the facilities are on par as well.

    The lagoon is a great addition, especially considering it’s location (right next to the bar). It’s not just a hostel bar, either. Locals and backpackers alike come here on a regular basis to catch shows by well-known DJs, jelly wrestling, and even wet t-shirt contests. It’s not just a hostel, but a well-known and central nightclub.

    Cairns is one of the best places to visit on the east coast of Australia, so if you’re in Cairns for a just a few days and you want to party, don’t even consider staying anywhere else. But if you’re staying a little longer, you might not want to stay more than a week 😉

  • Airlie Waterfront Backpackers
    Airlie Waterfront Backpackers.

    Many people visiting Airlie Beach choose to stay at Magnums for the almost unbelievably low price and its reputation as the party hostel in town. As far as I can tell, Airlie is good for two things: providing a jump-off point for trips to the Whitsunday Islands and partying your ass off. Many people are only in town for a night or two before or after their trip to the Whitsundays so, when there’s nothing else to do, go party.

    Magnums is really cheap, but remember: you get what you pay for. At only a dollar or two above the average rate of hostels in Australia, Airlie Waterfront is well worth it. Almost a year and a half and probably a hundred hostels later, I can still safely say have never seen a backpackers with rooms as clean as these. It’s definitely one of the best hostels in Australia. The rooms open onto a common balcony looking over the treetops, set directly against the ocean. A beautiful room with a gorgeous view.

  • Nomad (Base Magnetic Island)
    The view from Base Magnetic Island.

    I’m not the biggest fan of the Base hostels in general, but Base Magnetic Island is the exception. It’s unlike any of the others (and it’s one of only two backpackers located on the magnificent Magnetic Island). This Base reminded me of a summer camp I once visited—cabins scattered throughout the trees fringing the beach. The beachfront deck, engulfed by the sun, is connected directly to the onsite bar/restaurant where, on any given night, there is always a party.

    And once a month this place packs the house for their notorious full-moon party. This Base was host to one of my best stays in Australia.

  • Scotty's Beach House
    Scotty's Beach House.

    A great place to do nothing! Scotty’s Beach House is a hostel that makes you feel like you’re at home. It’s chilled out, laid back and right across from the beach (where the skydivers land)! The staff here were some of the friendliest and most accommodating I’ve ever met. Though I was only there for a few days, I was made to feel like a part of the family.

    The pool is the centerpiece of the common area surrounded by chairs and picnic tables. You’ll find people playing hackey-sack on the lawn or fire-twirling next to the pool. Ask anybody who’s stayed at Scotty’s and they’ll tell you—it rocks!

  • Yamba Central YHA
    Yamba Central YHA.

    Yamba is a small beach town that you probably haven’t heard of. It’s along the east coast backpacker route and a lot of people skip right past it—don’t make that mistake! I was only meant to stay here for two nights but I ended up staying for more than a week.

    The Yamba YHA is clean, sizable and run by the friendliest family I’ve ever met. Within two minutes of walking into the reception area/bar and restaurant, I was having a casual chat with the owner and then dinner and beers with the whole family! It simply would not be the same if it weren’t for the Henwoods.

    Jump at the chance for Shane’s 8am surfing trip every morning and be sure to take his Ten-Buck Tour (it costs ten bucks). I have one piece of advice for your trip along the east coast of Australia: stop in Yamba, and stay here! I not only rate this as one of the best hostels in Australia, but one of the best I’ve ever stayed in.

About the Author

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Previously nomadic, he’s been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. You can usually find him on the trail, on the road, jumping from bridges or hustling on his laptop working to produce the best travel and outdoors content today.
11 comments
  1. Good list ill check one or two out only used the one at Surfers from your list. There’s a decent one too on Coogee beach. I could give you a list of crap ones but id get sued if I said what I really thought about one or two but ill just say I wouldn’t stay at “Somewhere to Stay” in the East End in Brisbane its only good for fire wood as does everything in the place they should put a razor wire fence around it & use it as a detention centre for illegal immigrants they’d soon be breaking out & going home!

  2. I stayed at the same ones in Arlie and 1770 and loved them too!

    And the YHA’s outside the big cities are always awesome! I stayed at the one in Bellingen and loved it.

    1. Such cool hostels! I haven’t been to Bellingen but if I make it there I’ll be sure to check it out!

    1. Thanks, DJ! Base was amazing. I love Magnetic Island and I remember my time at Base so vividly. I’ll never forget it!

  3. I love how u put yamba at number one i suposed to stay there 2 nights end up staying 3 weeks i love the Henwood family there great and make it the best hostel in Australia!!!!! I hope to go back one day and spend some more time with the family!!!

    1. I know what you mean! The same thing happened to me! The Henwood’s are amazing–without them the hostel just wouldn’t be the same. Going back to Yamba is on my list as well. I’m looking forward to seeing them again someday!

  4. Where’s good to go for sun, sea and socialising? Want to get away and meet some cool people… and learn how to surf: ?

    1. Almost anywhere along the east coast will be great for this! Check out some of my other articles on Australia–I’m sure you’ll find something you like!

  5. Just stumbled across this page while planning my trip around AUS & TAS. I’m a 22 year old backpacker from Washington D.C. heading to Sydney in February, any suggestions for the best places to stay there? Any insight would be v helpful since its my first time!

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