Amazing Hostels in Australia & New Zealand
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Keep reading for reviews on the best hostels in Australia and New Zealand – perfect for budget travelers!
Australia and New Zealand are both frequently featured at the top of travelers’ bucket lists. With beautiful nature, exciting cities, and adrenaline-rushing activities, it is no wonder that these two countries are some of the most popular among travelers of all ages.
The only problem? Traveling to Australia and New Zealand can be quite expensive compared to other destinations, such as Southeast Asia. Flights from the USA are often $1000 USD or more, and prices in-country are comparable to the more expensive cities in the USA and Europe.
If you’re looking for a fun way to keep your travel budget down when visiting Australia or New Zealand, consider staying in a hostel! Both Australia and New Zealand are full of wonderful and unique hostels, many of which feature swimming pools and other amenities that rival those of fancy hotels for a fraction of the price. The social aspect of hostels is also great for both solo travelers or groups wishing to meet new people – it’s so much fun to make new friends to explore with!
If you’re planning a trip to Australia or New Zealand on a budget and are considering staying in hostels, you’re in the right place. Here, you can find a guide to the best hostels in Australia and New Zealand. Each hostel featured in this guide was reviewed by a real traveler who experienced the hostel for themselves, and there’s a hostel here for everyone’s travel style – whether you prefer a more relaxing experience or a louder party vibe.
Ready to find the perfect hostel for your trip? Keep reading for a list of the best hostels in Australia and New Zealand!
PS: Don’t forget to pack these hostel essentials! Also, keep in mind that hostel rates can vary between travel dates. Any prices listed are accurate at the time of publication.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Best Hostels in Australia
Alice Springs, Northern Territory – Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn
Recommended by Josie Kelsh from Josie Wanders
- Location: 6 Khalick St, East Side NT 0870, Australia (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn is a fantastic hostel located in Alice Springs in the red centre of Australia. Its funky themed rooms add a hint of fun. Spend the night in the Betty Boop Bus, Seb’s Alpine Hut, or Levi’s Shed. Rooms range from dorm rooms to private doubles and even a family room, so all types of travelers are catered for.
The relaxed atmosphere of Alice’s Secret revolves around lounging by the pool after cooking dinner on the BBQ (or in the fully stocked kitchen if you prefer). If it’s too hot outside, there’s a TV and game room too, or grab a book from the selection in the book swap room. Click here to book your stay at Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn.
Brisbane, Queensland – Brisbane City YHA
Recommended by Oksana & Max from Drink Tea & Travel
- Location: 392 Upper Roma St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia (map)
- Dorms start around $15 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
If you are traveling to Brisbane, don’t miss staying at the Brisbane City YHA on the harbour. It offers incredible views, value, and amenities. Plus, YHA is leading the way for sustainable accommodation in Australia. The YHA hostel chain is committed to reducing their impact on the environment and raising awareness on the benefits of low-impact travel.
The award-winning Brisbane City YHA has a beautiful rooftop pool and a massive patio. They hold regular tours to meet your fellow travelers and explore the area. Plus, if you want to cook for yourself, they have a large modern kitchen which is regularly cleaned.
In terms of rooms, they have both private rooms and dorm beds available. We found all ages of travelers staying at the YHA Brisbane and really liked the laid back city vibe.
Click here to book a dorm or private room at Brisbane City YHA.
Byron Bay, New South Wales – Aquarius Backpackers Resort
Recommended by Chris from Backpacker Banter
- Location: 16 Lawson St., Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia (map)
- Free Dinner Served Nightly
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com
Out of all the hostels I’ve stayed in Australia, Aquarius Backpackers Resort (aka AQ) is easily my favorite. Just a stone’s throw away from the incredible beaches of Byron Bay, one of Australia’s best weekend trips, Aquarius Backpackers boasts spacious, en suite dorm rooms, a swimming pool, and even a rooftop bar! It’s the perfect spot for anyone visiting Byron Bay and wanting to mingle with an awesome crowd of travelers. If you’d rather not stay in a dorm, that’s fine too, because Aquarius Backpackers also has private rooms!
With its great location close to all the bars and restaurants in town its the perfect Byron Bay base. Plus, they offer free dinner every night – winning! Click here to book a dorm or private room At Aquarius Backpackers Resort Byron Bay.
NOTE: This hostel is Adults-Only (18+).
Fremantle, Western Australia – Fremantle Prison YHA
Recommended by Kez Holman from So Today We Found
- Location: 6A The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia (map)
- Free Breakfast
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Have you ever considered spending a night in an old prison? Consider a stay at Fremantle Prison YHA! Fremantle Prison was fully operational until the 90s, and the hostel building itself used to be the women’s prison wing. Some of the rooms are actually the old cells themselves, complete with hefty prison doors and bunk beds!
If you don’t fancy staying in an actual cell, there are newer blocks housing more modern, en suite rooms and family-sized rooms, but the prison is part of the appeal for a lot of visitors. Fremantle Prison YHA has a super chill vibe, and is really close to the center of Fremantle, Fremantle Market, and the docks. For ideas on what to do in Fremantle, click here.
Click here to book your prison stay!
Halls Gap, Victoria – Grampians Eco YHA
Recommended by Bec from Wyld Family Travel
- Location: Corner Buckler Street and Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Victoria 3381 Australia (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
The Halls Gap YHA Eco Lodge is a magnificent hostel for all group types. From singles to large families, the team at the Eco-lodge can accommodate you. Surrounded in thick Australian bush and visited daily by the unique Australian wildlife you are bound to find a friend just hopping by a window.
Halls Gap is a short walk away as well as some of the most stunning hikes, picturesque waterfalls, and delicious local food or wine. Many international travelers, as well as locals, chose to stay here for the beauty as well as the easy access to some of the very best Victoria Australia has to offer.
Click here to book your stay at Grampians Eco YHA.
Magnetic Island, Queensland – Bungalow Bay Koala Village
Recommended by Kerrie & Woody from Just Go Travelling
- Location: 40 Horseshoe Bay Rd., Horseshoe Bay QLD 4819, Australia (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Bungalow Bay Koala Village is a dream for those who love animals. The hostel is located on the beautiful Magnetic Island in Queensland, Australia. It is well-suited for travelers looking for a laid-back vibe. When visiting Magnetic Island, you are already spoiled with crystal clear waters and white sand beaches, but Bungalow Bay Koala Village gives you even more.
Bungalow Bay Koala Village is a sanctuary for animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Guests at the hostel stay in lovely huts in the middle of a forest where the animals roam freely throughout the grounds. Or, if you’d prefer to go camping, you can pitch a tent at the Bungalow Bay campsite. The hostel also gives you the chance to get up close and personal with parrots. The parrots are giving a daily feed where they eat out the palm of your hands. The parrots are wild but come to the same spot every day at the same time. For an extra special experience, reserve a spot to have breakfast with the koalas!
Staying at Bungalow Bay Koala Village is an incredible experience when visiting Magnetic Island. Click here to book your stay.
Sydney, New South Wales – Sydney Harbour YHA
Recommended by Paula Morgan from Australia Your Way
- Location: 10 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
With possibly one of the best hostel views in the world, Sydney Harbour YHA sits high on a hill in one of Sydney’s oldest streets, overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.
The hostel is just 2 minutes’ walk from historic pubs and close to Wynyard or Circular Quay transport hubs. The rooftop common area is large and perfect for taking in the sunrise and sunset, there is also a BBQ and plenty of sun lounges for relaxing after a busy day exploring.
For a short stay in Sydney, I do not think you can do better than this hostel for position and value. Solo travellers will enjoy the group activities that are perfect for connecting with fellow travellers. Sydney Harbour YHA is not a party hostel but it is a very friendly one. Click here to book a dorm or private room at Sydney Harbour YHA.
Read More: The Top Weekend Trips in Australia
Best Hostels in New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand – Jailhouse Accommodation
Recommended by Holly from Globeblogging
- Location: 338 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation that is a little unusual and a short walk from town, you can’t go wrong with Jailhouse Accommodation in Christchurch.
As the name suggests, this hostel has a sordid history, commencing life as a women’s prison, and the original structure of the building remains. One room is left in its original state as a homage to the past, but the remaining cells are converted into either single or double rooms. Being cells there’s not a lot of space to spare with the double bed taking up most of the width of the room, but they are clean and comfortable. Iron doors and thick walls make them quiet and the hostel has a curfew on noise at night. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared with other guests, as well as common areas. The front desk serves espresso in the mornings!
Click here to book your jailhouse stay at Jailhouse Accommodation in Christchurch.
Motueka, New Zealand – Happy Apple Backpackers
Recommended by Rachel Ennis from Celt & Kiwi
- Location: 500 High Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand (map)
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
There is no better place in Motueka to rest your body after four days hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track than Happy Apple Backpackers. With single, double, and triple private rooms, shared dormitories, and campsite options, the Happy Apple is budget accommodation to suit your comfort level. The supermarket is only a short walk away and there are shared facilities to cook and lounge during long summer evenings. This is a volleyball and hammocks kind of hostel, so prepare to relax! Best of all, the hostel will store your unneeded gear while you’re off hiking the trail.
Click here to book a stay at Happy Apple Backpackers.
Whether you’re looking for a party hostel to meet new friends or a chill hostel to relax by the beach, there’s a hostel for you in both Australia and New Zealand.
The hostels reviewed here are some of the best hostels in Australia and New Zealand, so you’re sure to have an amazing time no matter which one you choose. Know of another great hostel in Australia or New Zealand that’s not featured in this guide? Send me a message and let me know – it could get added to the list!
Looking for other great hostels around the world? Check out these posts:
- The Best Hostels in Asia and the Middle East
- Incredible Hostels in Europe – Recommended by Travelers!
- Outstanding Hostels in North, Central, and South America
- Bucket List Worthy Hostels in Africa
Have you stayed at a hostel in Australia or New Zealand? Comment below and let me know!
