Being the most populated city in Australia has certainly taken part in Brisbane’s popularity. Also, being one of the oldest places has special charms for those wanting to experience traditions built on the ancient tribal lands.
Brisbane is ranked the third most attractive city in Australia when it comes to tourists. The City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane Forest Park are among the most favorite places for visitors. However, can’t resist visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary founded in 1927 as the first of its kind in the world.
Australia Zoo is famous for Steve Irwin, a globally famous zookeeper and conservationist famous for his The Crocodile Hunter TV series. Full of beautiful and amazing nature, the city has 27 km of bicycle paths around the Brisbane river and the city center. The river itself is popular for bathing, boating, and fishing.
When it comes to the cultural scene, Brisbane has a lot to offer. Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is the biggest of its kind in Australia. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) consists of theatres, and a concert hall and is the home to the city’s ballet, opera, and symphony orchestra. Visitors can see a lot of public sculptures, the one of Queen Victoria being the most impressive of them all.
A lot of music festivals have found their homes in Brisbane, such as Future Music Festival, Valley Fiesta, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, and Stereosonic and Soundwave. It has a rich live music scene which is supported by independent record stores. When it comes to movies, Gorge Miller, the globally renowned screenwriter, producer, and director of the Mad Max franchise was born in Brisbane in 1945.
All these attractions and much more are the reason why Brisbane has millions of tourists every year. With so many people visiting, it may be hard to find good accommodations and enjoy its beauty. With that in mind, we prepared the list of 10 hostels based on booking.com & hostelworld.com in Brisbane ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.
Selina Brisbane
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Did you know that the popular hostel chain also has a branch in Brisbane? It’s strategically located just 150 m from Roma Street Station, minutes from the city center.
Like its sisters from all around the world, it features stylish ensuite private rooms as well as modern dorms equipped with reading lights, USB ports, and privacy curtains.
Common areas include a large shared kitchen, cinema terrace, CoWork with high-speed WiFi, and a library corner. What’s more, there is an on-site restaurant with a bar where you can fuel up for the day with a tasty Australian breakfast and a flat white. At night, you can enjoy various local beers from tap and sometimes even live music at the bar.
Feeling adventurous? Simply come to the reception and book a trip to Fraser Island or Moreton.
Somewhere To Stay
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Located in Highgate Hill, along West End’s cafe district is Somewhere To Stay – a distinctive Queensland resort-style hostel great for any backpacker looking for an authentic Aussie experience. This cozy accommodation comes with a garden, a seawater swimming pool, and balconies where you can relax and meet fellow backpackers. Its pool and garden area is landscaped with palm trees, lounge chairs, and hammocks, perfect for either relaxation or outdoor games.
Somewhere to Stay offers dorms and private rooms to accommodate your budget. If you are eager to meet new friends, they offer shared dorms that can range from 4-8 beds in each room. If you are somehow after some privacy, there are private rooms that include single/twin/triple beds, while deluxe rooms are made motel-style, furnished with a television and DVD player, a fridge, and a bathroom.
Aside from the cozy and vintage laid-back feel of this hostel, indulge yourself on its free barbecues every Wednesday, free popcorn night on Tuesdays, and pizza nights on Mondays.
Somewhere to Stay is just a 10-min walk from Brisbane’s City Center – probably the hippest cultural district showcasing more than 100 cafes, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Close to the Queensland University of Technology, UQ St Lucia, and just about 5 minutes from Brisbane’s Southbank Tafe.
This backpackers hostel also offers free wifi and a courtesy bus. All guests will be given access to complimentary scheduled transport around West End, South Bank, and the entire city from 8 am – 7 pm.
Brisbane Backpackers Resort
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Brisbane Backpackers Resort is located in the West End. With a swimming pool and hot tub, this hostel sure resembles a small resort. Additionally, it has tennis, basketball, and soccer courts, as well as indoor recreation like a pool table. Since it’s near the train station you can easily get to the rest of the city, and you’re only a 10-minute bus drive from the Tivoli Theatre.
West End is the city location where you can enjoy live music and rich nightlife. You can visit Catchment Brewing Co there to try local beers. If you like comic books, you can visit Junky Comics and enjoy some reading while taking a break.
Brisbane City YHA
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Brisbane City YHA is praised for its modern look and comfort. It’s located a 10-minute walk away from the Roma Street Transit Centre and only a 2-minute walk away from Caxton Street. This means that you can visit the Palace Barracks cinemas where besides good movies, you can also enjoy nice wines and cheese platters. And if you want to have a walk along the Brisbane River or maybe a cruise, it will only take 5 minutes to get there on foot.
The tour desk at the hostel can book your tickets for most of the Brisbane attractions including the tours up the East Coast. However, if you decide to rest from the big adventures, you can take a dip in the big rooftop pool and enjoy BBQ with other guests.
Breeze Lodge
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Located in the beautiful suburb of Kangaroo Point, Breeze Lodge swears to be one of Brisbane’s best hostels when it comes to the cleanliness and luxury of its facilities.
Strategically located 10 minutes away from either the free ferry or the Gabba Stadium and from The Valley by bus, Breeze Lodge brings backpackers closest to the beauty of Kangaroo Point Cliffs, social media-worthy sunsets, and an excellent view over the city.
Backpackers get free access to high-speed wifi throughout the entire hostel, so guests don’t miss anything online. Perfect for digital nomads and those who are fond of social media. The Breeze Lodge also offers complimentary access to Netflix in their 2 lounge areas so you can binge-watch when you don’t feel like going out, and meet other backpackers. Other entertainment amenities include playing cards, table board games, darts, and table tennis or ping pong for those who need a break.
Facilities also include a rooftop terrace furnished with lounge chairs, made extra special with a breathtaking view of the city. Guests are given free continental breakfast and access to a shared fully-equipped kitchen and kitchenettes with tea/coffee-makers and a microwave on every floor of the hostel.
Backpackers tired from their trips and daily adventures get a comfortable bed in an airy room, with provisions for individual power stations, lights, and lockers. There’s an ensuite in every room and a heat and air conditioning facility.
Guests who would like a tour around the city can take a quick stroll to the free ferry, or get a bus ride right across the hostel. This Kangaroo Point accommodation also features a laundry area, with washing and drying machines so you can get easy access to cleaner clothes without leaving the hostel.
Bunk Brisbane
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Bunk Brisbane is the kind of place that will give you a little bit of everything. It was the winner of several awards for its service and praised by visitors for its service. It offers shared dormitory rooms mostly, but it has several private apartments equipped with kitchens and bathrooms as well. It’s near Chinatown so you can enjoy shopping at weekend markets and special events.
Also, Brunswick Street Mall is only a couple of minutes away. The neighborhood where Bunk Brisbane hostel is located, Fortitude Valley is full of nightlife and broad entertainment offer. However, if you decide to stay you can enjoy the hostel’s swimming pool and bar.
City Backpackers HQ
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Located in the Brisbane center, City Backpackers HQ is only 20 minutes of walking distance from the beach. The reviews praise the friendly staff and the great food, placing special emphasis on the view over the city. It’s close to the boutiques and restaurants, so if you want to try some local cuisine it will be within the walking distance.
City Backpackers HQ offers unlimited Wi-Fi access, a modern kitchen, and a laundry room. If you’re coming by car, you don’t have to worry about the parking since the hostel has its own at guests’ disposal. It also has a pool so you can have a dip after exhausting sightseeing around the city.
All Nations Brisbane ( formerly Nomads Brisbane Hostel)
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As another accommodation in the Business District, All Nations Brisbane Hostel is great for travelers who enjoy walking and active city life. The hostel’s building is listed as city heritage and is fully equipped with Wi-Fi, a BBQ area, and a tour desk. It has private single and double rooms which will provide privacy and peaceful lodgings for lower prices than the hotel.
It has a Zi Bar café and Down Under Bar, and you can also prepare meals in the kitchen. On the opposite side of the hostel, you can take transport to the Gold Coast and Brisbane Airport. If you like shopping, it will only take you a couple of minutes to walk to the Queen Street Mall.
Summer House Backpackers Brisbane
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Summer House Backpackers Brisbane is perfect for those travelers who like to meet new people and other cultures. It offers shared dormitory rooms with personal in-room lockers which are soundproofed. One of the daily events is the free barbecue, and you can also use the vending machine and laundry facilities.
Situated only 5 minutes away from the Brisbane Transit Centre, you will have quick access to the city center. Free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast with tea or coffee will certainly make your stay in Brisbane more enjoyable. Since Roma Street Train Station is close by you can travel to any part of the city quickly, and it will take you only a 15-minute drive to the Airport.
Chill Backpackers
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Just as its name suggests, Chill Backpackers hostel will help you breathe in the whole of Brisbane from the rooftop terrace. It’s near the Roma Street train and bus terminals and Brisbane’s South Bank is less than a kilometer away.
It offers a safety deposit box and free luggage storage, as well as laundry facilities and a TV room. The guests enjoy its convenient location near the restaurants, river, and Suncorp Stadium. With a review score of 6.6, this hostel is graded the most for its location and price, as well as the friendly staff. However, Wi-Fi in the internet café and the use of printer are additionally charged.
Some Rooms Backpacker
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
If you want to be close to the beach, then Some Rooms Backpacker hostel is your place. It’s, also, only 15 minutes away from South Bank Ferry Terminal. Even though it offers private lockers, for any bulkier belongings like bicycles you use storage facilities Brisbane is full of. However, for the low price, you will be within walking distance of the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, as well the South Train Station.
You can hang out with other travelers from all over the world in the lounge area. West End, where Some Rooms Backpacker hostel is located, Brisbane visitors find to be a perfect place for sightseeing, walking, bicycle rides and even enjoying some morning Tai Chi in the parks.
Aussie Way Hostel
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Aussie Way Hostel is a house-style accommodation in a quiet neighborhood. It’s only a few minutes walk from the entertainment and city rush. Suncorp Stadium is only 500 m away, and you can use the public airport shuttle bus to get from and to the hostel. Aussie Way Hostel has a strict “no alcohol” policy, but being only minutes away from the city center doesn’t affect its popularity. It has a small kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a pool, and a TV area, and it’s surrounded by eating places and cafes.
Base Brisbane Uptown
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Brisbane Business District is locally known as “the city”. Besides the University of Technology and Queensland’s Parliament House, the Base Brisbane Uptown hostel is also there. It has Bar & Grill where you can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you need tickets for the theme park or to schedule rides to the airport, you can arrange all that at the travel desk. Since the hostel is located near the Brisbane River, you can enjoy boating, fishing and even bathing if you visit the city in the right season.
Final thoughts
Hostels are perfect for travelers who want to save money on accommodations and spend a big portion of their days sightseeing. They all have the basic offer and in some, you can even get more for a similar price, but the general idea is the same. Check out also some cheap hotels in Brisbane as an alternative to taking a break from your dorm room!
If you are looking for a place to stay and meet fellow travelers from all over the world then hostels are ideal for you. Just make sure you read all the reviews and are well-informed on how to keep your belongings safe since that’s the biggest concern of backpackers. Other than that, enjoy your stay in Brisbane and its offer.
Author: Lena Hemsworth is an aspiring blogger who enjoys reading traveling magazines and acting like locals when she is visiting foreign countries. Her biggest wish is to visit Machu Picchu. Her hobby is kitesurfing, and her favorite animal is a flamingo.
