The 7 Best Hostels in Australia

I love Australia. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world. I’ve been going there for over a decade and have crossed the country more times than I’ve crisscrossed my own country. Over the course of my visits, I’ve stayed in countless hostels around Australia. Some of them were great, some of them were terrible, some of them were just OK.

To help you plan your trip and ensure you stay at the best hostels, I created this list of my favorites. But first, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. This is what will make or break your stay.

The top four things to consider when picking the best hostel in Australia are:

1. Location – Cities here are big and they can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
2. Price – In Australia, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
3. Amenities – Pretty much every hostel in the country offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!

Here is my list of the best hostels in Australia. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Australia:

Price Legend (per night)

• $ = Under 45 AUD
• $$ = 45-55 AUD
• $$$ = Over 55 AUD

 

1. Nomads St. Kilda (Melbourne)

This is one of my favorite hostels in Australia. The bar is lively every night, and there are BBQs and events during the week. Moreover, the rooms and bathrooms are really nice and always clean. The bar is open 7 nights a week, with rotating daily drink and food specials. They also have a travel desk, recruitment and jobs desk, and free daily activities. Since people come here to party, everyone is very social and looking to interact. It’s a great choice for solo travelers who want to meet people and my favorite hostel in the country.

Nomads St. Kilda at a glance:

• $$
• Lively bar for hanging out and mingling
• Organizes lots of events and activities
• Great place for meeting people

Beds from 46 AUD, private rooms from 153 AUD.

Book here!
 

2. Wake Up! (Sydney)

Wake Up! is, in many ways like a backpacker hotel. With its eight floors, hyper-trendy and clean look, and small common areas, you might think it would be hard to meet people. The large size does make it sort of hard to meet people outside the common areas or your room, but the big bar downstairs (biggest night is Monday) lets you meet all the people you see coming and going. I really liked my time there and I especially enjoyed the high water pressure in the showers and beds that didn’t creak. (I hate cheap, creaky bunks!).

The hostel is located just next to the Central Station in Sydney, so it’s easy to get to and from the airport. The only downside is that it’s more expensive than the cheaper options in King’s Cross so you might want to “splash” out for this one because it’s not cheap.

Wake Up! at a glance:

• $$$
• Great bar for socializing and meeting people
• Convenient location near central station
• Discounts for booking direct

Beds from 59 AUD, private rooms from 149 AUD.

Book here!
 

3. Aquarius Backpackers (Byron Bay)

I stayed at this place one Christmas and fell in love with it. They do such a good job at getting people to talk to each other, with plenty of games to play, and in general just a really friendly atmosphere. The pool is a nice perk and a chill place to hang out after a busy day of exploring.

The hostel is close to the beach and the center of town, and there’s free Wi-Fi in communal areas (not the rooms though). The dorms are cleaned often but the beds won’t win any major awards. But the social vibe more than makes up for that. Plus, it’s super cheap (always a plus in my book!).

Aquarius Backpackers at a glance:

• $
• Fun, social atmosphere
• Organizes activities (free yoga classes, movie nights)
• Pool for hanging out and relaxing

Beds from 40 AUD, private rooms from 201 AUD.

Book here!
 

4. Traveller’s Oasis (Cairns)

This cozy, chill hostel is where you go to socialize yet still be able to sleep while you’re in Cairns. Since it’s on the smaller side, it’s easy to meet people while hanging out in the many common spaces. There’s a swimming pool, outdoor shower, and deck/terrace (with a BBQ and hammocks!) as well as an indoor lounge with a smart TV equipped with tons of movies for when you want some down time.

There are both private rooms as well as dorms here (with a maximum of 6 beds per dorm), with comfy beds and not a bunk bed in sight. Everything is always kept super clean, and there are plenty of shared bathrooms, so you never have to wait.

Traveller’s Oasis at a glance:

• $$
• Tranquil yet still social
• Three fully equipped kitchens
• Pool and huge outdoor terrace for hanging out

Beds from 45 AUD, private rooms from 89 AUD.

Book here!
 

5. Nomads Noosa (Noosa)

A cool little hostel that is only 900 meters from the beach. All rooms are spacious and come with their own bathroom. There’s a nice tropical garden, communal kitchen, bar, swimming pool, and even a volleyball court. It’s one of the most chill, laid-back places I stayed in and the staff was very helpful and friendly! It’s quite affordable too, considering all the perks.

Nomads Noosa at a glance:

• $$
• Amazing location right near the beach
• Bar, pool, and volleyball court on-site
• Laid-back atmosphere so it’s easy to relax and meet people

Beds from 49 AUD, private rooms from 120 AUD.

Book here!
 

6. BUNK Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast)

This BUNK location is in Surfers Paradise, a seaside resort town on Australia’s Gold Coast. At just a couple of blocks from the beach and near the bars and restaurants, you’re right in the middle of the action. Back at the hostel, there are plenty of common areas to hang out in and meet people, including a pool, hot tub, and sundeck.

The bunk beds are almost like separate pods, with privacy curtains, reading lights, and two power sockets, so you have individual amenities even in a dorm room. All rooms (including dorms) have ensuite bathrooms and balconies, and there’s a massive guest kitchen to use as well.

Just note that they have an age cap so you have to be 35 or under to stay here.

BUNK Surfers Paradise at a glance:

• $$
• Hot tub, pool, and sundeck
• Modern pod bunks with privacy curtains
• Guest kitchen facilities

Beds from 55 AUD, private rooms from 181 AUD.

Book here!
 

7. City Backpackers HQ (Brisbane)

City Backpackers HQ is right in the heart of Brisbane near the river, the main train/bus station, and downtown. The city views from the massive rooftop terrace are spectacular, and there’s a rooftop pool as well.

The rooms themselves are pretty basic, but they’ve got everything you need. There’s a guest kitchen for cooking your own meals and an indoor cinema lounge for when you need some chill out time to sit back and watch something. Overall, it’s a fun and laid-back spot that’s social and easy going.

City Backpackers HQ at a glance:

• $$
• Swimming pool
• Lots of common space including rooftop terrace and movie lounge
• Guest kitchen

Beds from 45 AUD, private rooms from 140 AUD.

Book here!

***

When you visit Australia, I highly recommend you stay at these incredible hostels. For me, a good hostel has all about the amenities, staff, environment, and comfortable beds. These hostels meet all those requirements (which is why they are usually all full — book in advance) so consider booking one on your next trip to the land down under!