For any traveller that has Australia on their bucket list and is planning their travel itinerary, you are in the right place. Read all about the Ultimate East Coast of Australia Hostel Guide, where I go through all the hostels I stayed in during my trip and review them for all of you.
Sydney Hostels
Mad Monkey Backpackers
Location
Mad Money Backpackers was located on Broadway Street in Sydney. It is located in the city center but it was about a 50 minutes walk to the water where the Sydney Oprah House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are located. Broadway Street wasn’t the nicest looking street but it was right across the street from a park and right down the street from a shopping mall, where there was a grocery store.
Cost
The cost at Mad Monkey Backpackers varies depending on the kind of room you want to book. Price ranges from around $36/night (for a 6-bed dorm) to $90 (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page.
Review/Rating
Overall I think Mad Monkey Backpackers was a good hostel for the price, the rooms were clean, the bathrooms were really nice, and they had a kitchen and communal space. The only thing I didn’t like about staying here was the fact it was decently far away from many of the popular attractions, but if you want to get your steps in this hostel is a great pick.
Wake Up! Sydney Central
Location
The Wake Up! Sydney Central Hostel was located on Pitt Street in the city center. It was around a 40 minutes walk to Sydney Harbour and other popular destinations.
Cost
The cost ranges from $48 (for a 10 bed dorm) to $150 (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Wake Up! Sydney Central.
Review/Rating
Overall the Wake-Up! Sydney Central Hostel was really nice, it had clean rooms and bathrooms, it had a nice big kitchen, and hostel events to meet fellow travellers. It was located in a central part of the city so you could easily walk to a lot of places. The only downside was the prices were a bit higher.
For more details on how to travel to Syndey, Australia on a budget check out my blog post, click here.
Byron Bay Hostel
Wake Up! Byron Bay
Location
Wake Up! Bryon Bay was located right across the street from the beach and only around a 10-20 minute walk to the city center.
Cost
The costs range from $38 CAD (for a 10 bed dorm) to $318 CAD (for a private cottage).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Wake Up! Byron Bay.
Review/Rating
Wake Up! Byron Bay was my favourite hostel! It had great rooms, the kitchen was really big and had great appliances, and there were tons of extra activities, you could take yoga classes, rent bikes and paddle boards and lots more.
Surfers Paradise Hostel
Bunk Surfers Paradise
Location
The Bunk Surfers Paradise Hostel is located in a great central location. It’s just a couple-minute walk from the bus station, around a 5-minute walk to the beach, and also close to lots of shops including a grocery store.
Cost
Bunk Surfers Paradise Hostel cost around $63 CAD (for an 8-bed dorm) to $66 CAD (for a 4-bed dorm).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Bunk Surfers Paradise.
Review/Rating
The rooms were nice and clean and each room had its own bathroom. The kitchen had lots of room and there were places inside and outside to sit and eat. This hostel also had a pool and hot tub that were part of the building. Overall I really enjoyed staying here.
Brisbane Hostel
Bunk Brisbane
Location
Bunk Brisbane was located around a 15-20 minute walk from the train station and around a 10 minute walk to Brisbane River.
Cost
Rooms at Bunk Brisbane ranged from $48 CAD (for a 10-bed dorm) to $148 CAD (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Bunk Brisbane.
Review/Rating
Bunk Brisbane hostel was not my favourite compared to the other hostels I stayed in. I found the rooms to not feel super clean, the kitchen wasn’t the best and it wasn’t in a great location. Overall I wouldn’t recommend staying here especially if you are staying for a longer period of time.
Rainbow Beach Hostel
Freedom Hostel Rainbow Beach
Location
Freedom Hostel Rainbow Beach is located right across the street from the bus stop, around a 5-minute walk to a grocery store, and around a 5-10 minute walk to the beach.
Cost
Prices for rooms at Freedom Hostel Rainbow Beach range from $36 CAD (for a 6/7 bed dorm) to $118 CAD (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Freedom Hostel Rainbow Beach.
Review/Rating
Overall this hostel was nice, the rooms weren’t anything special but they felt clean and each room had a bathroom. The kitchen was pretty small but had pretty much everything you needed. This hostel had a pool and bar part of the hostel. And it was a good central location to other parts of Rainbow Beach.
If you are looking to stay in Rainbow Beach to visit Fraser Island check out my Fraser Island Itinerary Blog.
Airlie Beach Hostel
Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel
Location
Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel is in a great location. It is only around a 15-20 minute walk from the bus station, it’s along the street with restaurants and grocery stores and it is only a few minute walk to the beach.
Cost
Prices at Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel range from $44 CAD (for an 8-bed dorm) to $130 CAD (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel.
Review/Rating
Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel is great! The rooms are nice with a couple of showers and a bathroom in the rooms. The hostel has a nice big kitchen and a pool. It’s also in a great location so I highly recommend checking out Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel if you are staying in Airlie Beach.
Also if you are planning a trip to the Whitsunday Islands check out my Sailing around the Whitsunday Island Itinerary.
Cairns Hostel
Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns
Location
Gilligan’s in located around a 10 minute walk from the bus station and the beach.
Cost
Prices at Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns range from $23 CAD (for a 10-bed dorm) to $128 (for a private room).
Click here to visit Hostel Worlds page for Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort.
Review/Rating
Gilligan’s was a really nice hostel, it’s affordable and in a great location. The only thing I would warn you about Gilliagan’s is it’s a party hostel, it’s right next to a club, so if you aren’t a big partier this hostel might not be the best for you.
Hope this was helpful for anyone planning a trip up the East Coast of Australia. Hostels are the way to go, they are a great way to save money and meet amazing people during your trip.
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