Fortunately for you, this lot come recommended by fellow backpackers.

Meet the finalists for ‘New South West: Best Accommodation’ at this year’s Golden Backpack Awards…

 

Base Backpackers Sydney

Base Backpackers Sydney hostel is where all the big Down Under adventures begin. Open 24 hours with a cosmopolitan buzz, Base is the perfect Sydney hostel to stay, work, travel and play. Base is situated in the heart of the Sydney CBD, just a few minutes’ walk to Centre Point Tower, and a two-minute walk from Darling Harbour and the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Town Hall Station is across the road, which offers transport to Bondi Beach, the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium, plus the historic Rocks precinct, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are all just at the end of the street. Base also offers free Sydney city walking tours every day, a free harbour bridge walk and picnic in the park every Tuesday, and a free beach day with a bus transfer and Aussie barbecue every Thursday.

 

Big Hostel

Big Hostel is located in the centre of the city and so is close to Sydney’s bars, restaurants, clubs and… well pretty much everything really – including fellow travellers as it is just down the road from Central Station, Sydney’s main hostel precinct. The facilities at Big Hostel have been designed with the traveller in mind. Well-designed accommodation is offered at budget hostel rates, including private rooms with en-suites (single, double, triple, quad and family rooms), as well as dorm rooms.

 

Blue Mountains YHA

Stay at the award-winning Blue Mountains YHA hostel and enjoy the comfort of the log fire, cosy warm rooms (many with en-suite), great kitchen and fast internet. Located in the heart of Katoomba, Blue Mountains – the adventure capital of NSW – this YHA is ideal accommodation for backpackers. Housed in a beautifully restored National Trust building, the hostel is a stone’s throw from breathtaking national parks and bush landscapes of Leura, Echo Point and Three Sisters. Plus, you can save with YHA discounts on heaps of activities, tours and attractions from the hostel. Brucey bonus.

 

Bounce 

The award-winning Bounce Hostel makes grimy travelling a thing of the past. Its rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the Sydney skyline, cool graffiti colours the walls, and the dorm rooms are clean and bright, with eight beds to four, plus private room options have en-suites and flat-screen TVs. A communal dining area means there’s always a buzz and most of its weekly social events are hosted on the rooftop, including barbecues with $1 Aussie hot dogs on Thursdays and $2 burgers on Sundays.

 

Maze Backpackers

With an emphasis on making new mates and having fun, Maze Backpackers is situated in the heart of the city and offers low rates, clean rooms, a relaxed, laidback vibe and free activities. If you love a good time, meeting and mingling with fun fellow travellers and staff then Maze is a great option as it has an in-house entertainment coordinator, a free event and/or meal every day of the week, plus loads of other awesome free stuff. 

 

Woodduck Boomerang Backpackers

Whether you have come to Sydney to work or play, Woodduck Boomerang Backpackers is a great place to stay. It’s located within easy walking distance of all the major sights in Sydney: 20 minutes from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, 10 minutes to Hyde Park and the heart of central Sydney, 15 minutes from Chinatown and Paddy’s Markets, and less than five minutes to Kings Cross and all its bars and clubs. If you’re more the sun and surf type, Bondi Beach is only a short train or bus ride away. The fun and friendly staff are travellers just like you and will do their best to make your stay as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

 

World Square Hostel

World Square is only minutes from Sydney’s biggest attractions including The Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Sydney Tower and Darling Harbour. The staff are a mix of locals and people from around the world with the knowledge and enthusiasm to assist you in squeezing every drop of enjoyment from your stay. The accommodation goes the extra mile with Perspex chandeliers in the 18-bed dorm, straighteners in the ladies bathroom, and a TV room, while the activities include regular quiz nights, wet T-shirt competitions, movie nights, a free city tour, and an in-house night club open Friday and Saturday nights.

 

YHA Sydney Central

Sydney Central YHA Hostel is close to all the action. The heritage-listed building, opposite Central Station in the hub of the backpacker precinct, offers a panoramic rooftop with awesome city views, free activities, a basement bar, heated pool, sauna, cinema, travel agency and much more. It’s the backpackers hostel that never closes with 24-hour security access. Group accommodation and disabled access is also available.

 

YHA Sydney Harbour

Stay at Sydney’s only backpacker hostel in the city’s historic harbourside precinct, The Rocks, and enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour.  Built above archaeological remnants of colonial Sydney, the YHA combines state-of-the-art facilities with a heritage experience. Explore Sydney’s history and walk to all the major sites while staying in the heart of the city. Pop over to the Sydney Opera House & Circular Quay, enjoy local historic pubs, walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge or go on a Sydney Harbour cruise. Oh, and the rooftop views of the harbour are something else…