Fortunately for you, this lot come recommended by fellow backpackers.
Meet the finalists for ‘Queensland: Best Accommodation’ at this year’s Golden Backpack Awards…
Base Airlie Beach
Base Airlie Beach Resort is rapidly gaining the reputation for its stylish rooms, friendly local crew and a fun social atmosphere all in one great central location in Airlie Beach. The hostel is set among six acres of tropical gardens with an outdoor swimming pool right in the heart of Airlie Beach. Only 50m to the lagoon, the cafes, bars and shops are on the doorstep and the Abel Point Marina is just a stroll away. Base Airlie Beach Resort is set up to be your ideal gateway to the Whitsunday Islands National Park with 74 islands and Whitehaven Beach only a short boat trip away.
Base Brisbane Central
Formerly Palace Backpackers, Base Brisbane Central is in a heritage-listed building located in the centre of the city, opposite Central Station. With a 24-hour reception, it has five floors offering dormitory and private rooms. The rooftop terrace is the place in the Brisbane CBD to catch some sun, chill out, have a BBQ or just watch the world go by. If the sun’s not your thing then there are also common areas in which to kick back, relax, and get some quality time; that or cook up a feast in the guest kitchen. The hostel also hosts a Job Club to help you find work, a travel desk for tours and tips, plus downstairs the Down Under Bar is where you can go full on, flat out, winning prizes and dancing the night away. If you’re after something a little quieter then the Zi Bar does great food and coffee, with regular functions to keep you entertained.
Base Magnetic Island
Base Magnetic Island hostel is one of the best kept secrets of Australia’s Tropical North. Located right on the beach, chill out in the sun by day and groove to funky tunes at the Island Bar by night, home to the only full moon party in Australia. Recharge the batteries and enjoy your own little part of paradise only 20 minutes from Townsville. The Base Crew know the local area and will let you in on its many secrets. A range of accommodation includes raised secluded campsites and waterfront bungalows. There’s a stunning pool and deck for catching the rays and, as the closest hostel to Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal, it’s convenient too.
BUNK Backpackers Hostel
Right in the heart of Brisbane’s famous Fortitude Valley, BUNK Backpackers is perfect for those of you who are looking to party for a weekend or settle down for a while and earn some money to fund those dream trips around Australia. With a free ‘all you can eat’ buffet-style breakfast, a range of rooms to suit all budgets, great weekly rates and friendly international staff, BUNK Backpackers is a great option for when you are crashing in Brisbane.
Childers Eco Lodge
Set on 28 acres of red soil and Australian bush, and operating under an environmentally sustainable ethic, guests can experience the wonders of the Australian countryside at Childers Eco Lodge, from kangaroos nibbling on the lawn to rainbow lorikeets feasting on the native flowers. Run by Rhys and Vanessa Kummerow, the concept is to provide safe, clean, comfortable accommodation with a home-style feel in the countryside, teamed with local area activities to make visitors’ stay a positive, ‘write-home-about’ experience.
Flashpackers Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is the gateway to the must-do Fraser Island, so Flashpackers Hervey Bay is the ideal place to experience all the area has to offer. The hostel is family owned and operated, and small in size, with its aim being to cater for each individual as needed with its ‘affordable luxury’. Hervey Bay is the perfect spot for whale watching (June to November), plus there is an aquarium, environmental water park, sea kayaking, Jet Skiing, parasailing or just chilling out. The hostel also offers its own ‘Flash’ three-day, two-night beach camping self-drive tour of the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.
Gilligans
Centrally located between Sheridan and Grafton streets in the midst of Cairns city centre, Gilligan’s is the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful and tropical north. From Gilligan’s, it’s an easy stroll around Cairns inner-city streets lined with art and photographic galleries, shops, cafes and many different multi-cultural dining experiences. The hostel is renowned for its party atmosphere and it hosts regular club nights, while there’s a lovely pool to lounge around in to ease the hangover.
Gladstone Backpackers
This small family hostel, with a home away from home atmosphere, is situated midway between Rainbow Beach and Airlie Beach. Visitors range from babies to grey nomads and in numbers from 1 to 30. The team encourages guests to visit local attractions while providing a relaxing environment to sit back and read a book, bathe by the pool or just do nothing. Gladstone is a major industrial town with the perfect blend of reef, coast and country at your doorstep.
Halse Lodge
The closest Noosa backpackers hostel to the beach and National Park, Halse Lodge is one of Queensland’s finest backpacker accommodation houses. Set in two acres of rainforest, it’s just 100m to Noosa’s Main Beach, great surf and night spots, there’s a bus stop just across the road, and it’s mere minutes from the world famous Noosa National Park rainforest and surfing beaches. The Lodge itself is a sight worth seeing: it is a fully restored 1880′s building, listed by the National Trust.
On The Wallaby
On the Wallaby Backpackers Lodge appeals to young, budget-conscious travellers with an interest in the outdoors. It has carefully nurtured a reputation for friendliness, cleanliness and value. A maximum of up to 35 people can enjoy this welcoming, relaxing base and guests have a choice of shared accommodation, double rooms or camping sites in the surroundings. A host of activities can be experienced from the Backpackers Lodge or included with an overnight tour package.
