Travelling for most people is all about experiencing new things. Nevertheless, accommodation also plays a great role in this aspect and can make or break your trip overall. In this post you’ll find best budget hostels along the Queensland coast.
Cairns
For most people travelling along the East Coast of Australia, Cairns will be the Northernmost city they visit. While the main reason for Cairns is the surrounding nature, in particular the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, there is also another side to Cairns!
I didn’t know this before going, but Cairns is somewhat of a party town. I was there during the national spring break, and the town was full of Australians coming there from all over the country, especially the younger crowd!
Where to stay
Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 23 CHF +
- Private room: 95 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Central location
- Partys every night of the week
- Young crowd
- Lockers in the room
- En suite bathroom & shower
Cons:
- Depending on which side your room is located it can be quite loud until late at night
- One large building, feels hotel like
- Depending on your age (I was 25) crowds are on the younger side (rather 18-22)
Personal experience:
I loved this hostel! It was very centrally located, and it had everything you needed. Even the dorm rooms (I stayed in a female dorm) had an en suite bathroom for the respective room. The parties were really cool and the drinks were quite affordable. The hostel allows you to book excursions directly through them, and the airport shuttle can drop you right in front of the hostel. Bus stops are also really close by.
Summer House Backpackers Cairns
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 22 CHF +
- Private room: 61 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Breakfast included
- Laid back vibes
Cons:
- Located a little bit further away, not directly in the city center
Magnetic Island
Magnetic island is truly a little slice of paradise just off the coast of Queensland. You can reach the island by hopping on a short ferry from Townsville. The island is perfect for relaxing and connecting with nature. Some of the main attractions on the island include snorkelling, as well as Koala and Wallaby spotting!
Where to stay
Nomads Magnetic Island – Base
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 27 CHF +
- Private room: 77 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Right by the beach
- Laid back vibes
- Bus stop right in front of the hostel, or walk along the beach to the ferry (ca. 25 mins)
- Many individual beach huts, not one large complex
Cons:
- Honestly none, this was such a cool place!
Personal experience:
This was one of the coolest hostels I’ve ever stayed at. Looking back, I am still amazed that you can get a beach front accommodation for such a low price! The hostel is super super laid back and has a beachy atmosphere all throughout. There is also evening entertainment on some nights, which are lit, but you can definitely also have a quieter stay in this place. You can play volleyball here, rent snorkelling equipment or just chill. I would highly recommend this place!!
Selina Magnetic Island
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 40 CHF +
- Private room: 92 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Secluded and peaceful, close to nature
- Laid back vibes
- Located in a less touristy area
- Many individual beach huts, not one large complex
Cons:
- Not directly on the beach
Townsville
In my opinion, Townsville doesn’t have a lot to offer sightseeing wise. However, you’ll likely be spending at least one night here during your travels as a stopover on your way to and / or from Magnetic Island.
Where to stay
Civic Guesthouse
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 17 CHF +
- Private room: 36 CHF +
Pool: No
Pros:
- En suite bathroom & shower
- Located in the city center
- Quiet and friendly atmosphere
Cons:
- Far from the ferry and bus station
- Not super well connected with public transport
Personal experience:
As a hostel, the civic guesthouse was really nice. It’s very quiet and kind of felt homey. However, since for most people Townsville is only a stop on their way to somewhere else, looking back I would choose an accommodation closer to the ferry and the Greyhound bus station. If this is important for you too, I’d recommend the next hostel!
Reef Lodge Backpackers
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 16 CHF +
- Private room: 40 CHF +
Pool: No
Pros:
- Walking distance to ferry terminal and Greyhound bus station
Cons:
- Looks a bit quirky, not everyone’s cup of tea
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, also known as “the heart of the reef”, is the starting point for exploring the dreamy Whitsundays. But besides that, the quaint little town is also worth a visit, with it’s plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops – you certainly won’t get bored here!
Where to stay
Base Airlie Beach
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 40 CHF +
- Private room: 181 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- En suite bathroom
- Very central
- Good vibes, feels very open and close to nature
- Offers luggage storage (in case you go on an overnight sailing trip in the Whitsundays)
- Lockers in the room
- Several smaller buildings, not one large complex. Doesn’t feel crowded.
Cons:
- Kind of expensive compared to the other options listed
Personal experience:
I loved the location of this hostel, and the fact that it was spread out over quite a big area. It felt not crowded at all. There’s a bar if you want to hang out in the evening, and there are “shows” throughout the day with locals showing you how to throw spears or how to light a fire. I enjoyed my time here. However, upon writing this article, I realised that the Airlie Beach Magnums offers private rooms for a similar price, so that might be worth checking out for next time!
Airlie Beach Magnums – Adults Only
Price range:
- No dorms
- Private room: 43 CHF +
Pool: No
Pros:
- You get a private room for the price of a dorm! Steal!
- Very central
- Good vibes, I’ve heard it’s bar is one of the best places for going out in Airlie Beach
- feels very open and close to nature
- Offers luggage storage (in case you go on an overnight sailing trip in the Whitsundays)
- Several smaller buildings, not one large complex. Doesn’t feel crowded.
- Adults only (as a 25 year old, I appreciate this)
Cons:
- Not a classic party hostel, if that’s what you’re looking for
- Only private rooms, which is not what every solo traveler is looking for
Backpackers By The Bay
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 30 CHF +
- Private room: 59 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Close to Greyhound bus station
- Very chill, hippie vibes
Cons:
- Further from the center than the other options listed
Noosa
If you want to go surfing in Queensland, this is one of the places you should hit up! The waves are beginner friendly, and the town is lovely with lots to offer.
Where to stay
Halse lodge
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 33 CHF +
- Private room: 96 CHF +
Pool: No
Pros:
- Very close to the beach, shopping area and many restaurants
- Close to nature
- Very nice rooms with lockers and towels
- People of all ages in the hostel, dorms however in my experience exclusively younger people
Cons:
- Not a party hostel, if that’s what you are looking for
- Far from the supermarket (important if you want to cook your own food haha=
Personal experience:
I’m so glad I stayed here as opposed to the Nomads in Noosa. The hostel is located a 3-minute walk to the beach, which was awesome in the evenings for catching the sunset! It’s also (obviously) very close to the surf schools, and to the Noosa National Park. The vibes in the hostel were very chill and laid back. There were also some older couples in the private rooms. So, if you are looking for action and party, this is not the place for you. But if you want to relax and just enjoy your time by the beach, I’d highly recommend!
Nomads Noosa
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 33 CHF +
- Private room: 83 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Located close to the Greyhound bus station and Noosa center (not Noosa Heads, where the beach is)
- From what I heard it is a party hostel
Cons:
- Not very close to the beach
Brisbane
Ah, the capital of Queensland! If you’re looking for a city feeling after all the nature you’ve been seeing up until now, you’ll get it here 🙂 Check out my 3 Day Brisbane Itinerary to find out what there is to see and do here.
WHERE TO STAY
All Nations Brisbane
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 32 CHF +
- Private room: 78 CHF +
Pool: No
Pros:
- Very centrally located. Right next to the train and bus station. Very walkable area.
Cons:
- Reviews on booking.com are mediocre.
City Backpackers HQ
Price range:
- Bed in dormitory: 33 CHF +
- Private room: 77 CHF +
Pool: Yes
Pros:
- Walking distance to main attractions
- Nice panoramic views over Brisbane
Cons:
- Not directly in the center
General remarks
As you might have picked up, there are a couple of “hostel chains” that have accommodations all throughout Queensland! In my experience, if you are young and looking to socialize and meet new people, staying at any Base or Nomads is going to be a safe choice.
Of course, the Australia YHA also has locations all throughout Queensland. While it’s not specifically mentioned, the Halse Lodge in Noosa for example is actually a YHA hostel.
So if you want to make it easy for yourself, you can also just pick one of these three brands and book all your stays through the same accommodation provider
To summarise, best overall hostel brands in Australia:
With that, there’s nothing left to say but happy booking! Let me know if you’ve stayed at any of these and what your experience was, I’d love to chat <3
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