Accommodation guide for Australia’s East Coast - where to stay

Accommodation guide for Australia’s East Coast - where to stay

Zoe Schneider
Accommodation options in Australia can be really overwhelming, so I found the best options for hostels and hotels so that you don't have to! This guide is all you will need to choose and book your hostels up the East Coast! With honest and real recommendations for different options, check out these hostels to plan your trip!
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I travelled Australia's East Coast from south to north, flying into Melbourne and out from Cairns.

Depending on your next destination this is a really good option as it’s possible to find direct flights from Cairns to Singapore!

Melbourne

We loved Melbourne, it had a really nice chilled vibe but soooo much to do! The public transport is excellent and cheap, so getting around is really easy.

We stayed with friends in Melbourne, so these hostels all come from real recommendations within the travelling community!

Where to stay

Melbourne CBD is a great place to stay as it is well-connected and close to the action. Here are the best budget options!

Europa Melbourne
@zoeschneider
With an excellent location, this budget dormitory option is a sociable choice for those looking to meet people! Breakfast is also included, which is a great benefit.
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Selina Central Melbourne
@zoeschneider
A slightly more expensive option (although still affordable), the perfect location and great set-up of this place makes it well worth the extra dollars. Private rooms are also available here.
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St. Kilda is another good option for areas to stay, with lots of backpackers choosing to base themselves there.

Bayside House
@zoeschneider
These dorms are cheap and cheerful, but with a pool table and a fun, relaxed environment. Note there are no private rooms.
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Barkly Backpackers
@zoeschneider
Another great budget option, Barkly has a homelier feel to it than other more slick hostels. Female-only dorms are available here.
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Sydney

Sydney is a great place to stop to see the famous sites, and go check out the beach too!

Where to stay

Central Sydney is a great option as everything is so close!

Mad Monkey Potts Point
@zoeschneider
This super sociable hostel is a great option for solo travellers and groups, with cheap dorm options, as well as limited private rooms.
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Maze Backpackers
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Another great hostel option, there are a wider range of room options available including dorms and private rooms.
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Wake Up! Sydney
@zoeschneider
Slightly more expensive, this place is brilliantly run, with loads going on, and lots of options for rooms! The location in particular is excellent.
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We stayed in Bondi as it was so easy to get into the central area, and we wanted to be close to the beach too!

Wake Up! Bondi Beach
@zoeschneider
The location for this hostel is unbelievable, with less than 1-minutes walk to the beach! Lots of activities are offered (free and paid) and the kitchen is well-equipped. Dorms and private rooms are available. They also offer free surfboard hire!
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Bondi Beach Backpackers
@zoeschneider
If Wake Up! is fully booked, this is another great option, with equally good location and price only marginally higher.
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Byron Bay

This is such a nice surfer town, with a fair bit to do and a really nice arty vibe.

Where to stay

Aquarius Backpackers Resort
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We loved our stay here, with free dinners everyday, and a great social space this is definitely the best option for your stay in Byron.
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Arts Factory Lodge
@zoeschneider
This comes highly recommended, and is one of the main choices to stay in Byron. A good budget option, and very sociable too with a great location.
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Byron Palms Guesthouse & Spa
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A more upmarket option if you're looking to treat yourself, this luxury hotel offers rooms at relatively cheap prices. Breakfast is included.
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Surfer’s Paradise

With great surfing and lots of good walks, waterfalls and exploring to do, Surfer’s on the Gold Coast was a great stay!

Where to stay

Maxmee Resort
@zoeschneider
This hostel would be my top choice for accommodation if I was to revisit Gold Coast. The location is excellent, the communal spaces are great and the price is also very affordable, especially considering all of the free activities that are included. Mixed dorms and some privates are available.
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Enderley Gardens Resort
@zoeschneider
These apartments are a good option if you are in a group, with flats sleeping 2-4 people. It was great for us to have a bit of space, with a washing machine, kitchen, swimming pool and spa! If you're a solo traveller, I do not recommend.
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Vibe Hotel Gold Coast
@zoeschneider
If you're looking to treat yourself, this is the place to do it. With great facilities and location, if you're wanting to stretch the budget during your stay in Gold Coast, this is the way to go!
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Brisbane

Such a buzzing city, be sure to spend a good few days checking out Brisbane!

Where to stay

Summer House Backpackers Brisbane
@zoeschneider
This hostel was fine, but if I'm being honest I think it would be easy to find better options. The dorms and bathrooms are big and clean, with enough space, but the kitchen is cramped, and the free breakfast rarely materialises. The rooftop area is excellent for a sunset drink, however!
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Brisbane Quarters
@zoeschneider
With it's rooftop pool, large clean kitchen, and wide variety of room types to choose from, this would be my top choice on returning to Brisbane. The value here is incredible!
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YHA Brisbane City
@zoeschneider
Rooftop pool being it's main USP, the YHA in Brisbane is excellent value, and comes highly recommended.
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Noosa Heads

This gorgeous (and a bit more upmarket) area was such a nice place for walking and going to the beach! We wished we’d stayed longer.

Where to stay

Le Court Villas
@zoeschneider
This apartment was INCREDIBLE but only really viable if you are 3+ people. The value (when sharing cost) is amazing, and the apartment itself was so nice, with a pool, great kitchen, washing machines and generally a good homely feel.
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Flashpackers Noosa
@zoeschneider
If you're after a hostel, this should be your top choice. With a free breakfast, a pool, free surfboards and a number of other perks, the pros to Flashpackers are endless. Private rooms are also available but the price shoots up a fair bit.
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Nomads Noosa Youth Resort
@zoeschneider
Home to the famous Bingo Night, this lively hostel is a great option for those looking to party. It is slightly cheaper than Flashpackers, but the quality reflects this too. The volleyball court and the attached bar give it a great atmosphere!
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Hervey Bay (Fraser Island)

We stayed for the night here before our Fraser Island trip, as it’s the closest Greyhound bus stop to the start of the island tours.

Where to stay

Mango Tourist Hostel
@zoeschneider
For a one night stay, this hostel does the job. The owner is slightly eccentric, and the rooms, common area and kitchen are cosy (small). It's the cheapest option so the value is very good.
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Flashpackers Hervey Bay
@zoeschneider
This is the best place to stay for backpackers when visiting Hervey Bay. With shuttles to the Greyhound bus stop, a tour desk, swimming pool and free social events, if this place is available, then book it!
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Kondari Hotel
@zoeschneider
For a bit of luxury, this hotel is great value considering all that it includes. The attached restaurant as well as the swimming pool make it a great option for those wanting to chill out in the hotel.
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Bundaberg

We stayed in Bundaberg for a couple of nights just to visit the turtle sanctury.

Where to stay

Palms Motel- Budget Workers Accomodation
@zoeschneider
Although not currently taking bookings through booking.com, this motel was a great option if you're planning on visiting the turtles as it is a walking distance from the site. You need to take a taxi from the town centre though.
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Bunk Inn Hostel
@zoeschneider
The only real hostel option in the area, this hostel is definitely top choice for solo travellers or pairs, as the value is much better.
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Matilda Motel Bundaberg
@zoeschneider
This is the best motel option for those wanting to stay near the centre, but be aware that for visiting the turtles you will need to arrange transport of some kind. The value is good considering the facilities offered, so it's worth spending the extra money on this place.
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Mackay

For some great nature, go check out Mackay! We saw wallabies on the beach at sunrise, and did some cool hikes.

Where to stay

Metropolitan Hotel
@zoeschneider
A good budget option for pairs/groups, this hotel is simple but good, with a restaurant/bar attached, and a nice clean room and bathroom.
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Gecko's Rest
@zoeschneider
One of the only hostels in the area, this is definitely top choice for those travelling alone, or wanting to be more social. Location, price and recommendations are all good. Privates are also available.
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Airlie Beach

This is where the Whitsundays boat trips all leave from, but is in itself a nice place to visit. We stayed for a couple of days before our boat.

Where to stay

YHA Airlie Beach, Whitsundays
@zoeschneider
This is definitely the best accommodation option in Airlie Beach. The price is great, kitchen & social areas are clean and spacious, and the rooms (both private and dorms) are excellent. I would stay here again!
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Magnums Accommodation Airlie Beach - Adults only
@zoeschneider
If the YHA is fully booked, or if you want a more upmarket stay, this is the best option. Location is good, and they offer BBQ facilities, and a volleyball court, to trump the YHA.
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Townsville

This is the closest town for visiting Magnetic Island, which can be done in a day or for an overnight trip.

Where to stay

Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel
@zoeschneider
Civic has a great location, free shuttles to the bus stop and harbour, huge kitchen and great rooms. Definitely the top choice in Townsville!
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Seaside lodge
@zoeschneider
If the Civic is fully booked, this is the next best thing. Decently priced and with a good location, the free pool table could potentially make up for the lack of kitchen, depending on your priorities!
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Magnetic Island

What an amazing place to visit! This was one of the best parts of our east coast trip - 3 days was perfect for us!

Where to stay

Arcadia Beach Guest House and Car Hire
@zoeschneider
The location, price, kitchen and pool table makes this place one of my favourite hostels on this blog. The staff are lovely and you also have access to the pool in the nearby bar. Definitely recommend a stay here!
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Nomads Magnetic Island (Base)
@zoeschneider
For a livelier vibe and more events and social activities, this is the place to go! The price is reasonable compared to similar options elsewhere, so if you're looking to party, then this is the best option.
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Cairns

The final stop on our East Coast trip, and a good base for some day trips to the rainforest, give yourself a couple of nights in Cairns.

Where to stay

The Jack Hotel & Backpackers
@zoeschneider
In an excellent location, the social areas of this hostel are unrivalled, with huge lounge spaces, kitchen and bathrooms. Their capacity is huge and the attached bar is great fun too.
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Gilligan's Hotel & Resort
@zoeschneider
The famous Gilligan's is Cairns' favourite party hostel. It's great fun and very sociable, and has numerous facilities, as well as offering some private rooms.
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Thanks!

I hope you've found this blog useful, and have an excellent trip to Australia! Note that booking ahead is a good idea in Australia, especially if you're going in peak season!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Zoe Schneider
Travelling the world and living the dream on a budget🎒🌎✨☀️ I'm currently on month 18 of my ‘gap year’…. and no plans (yet) to go home! I’ve been exploring Asia, New Zealand, Australia and South America on this trip, which has been an amazing variety of things to see and do. My main travel style is adventure budget backpacking, and I'd love to help share all my tips with you!! I love the great outdoors, sunshine, beaches, the sea, not to mention the best part about travel - new food and new people!
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