Backpackers By The Bay

Room was okay, kitchen was surface clean but all the cupboards were dirty. Unfortunately fridges were stuffed full of long term guests food so we couldnt store any of our own food. We stayed for 3 days after a cyclone, the weather was good for the whole stay but outside remained a mess and swimming pool unusable. Garden space is nice but could do with a tidy. Rusty gym area could be updated. We had a private room which has no soundproofing. Quiet time from 10pm but guests continued partying and running down halls screaming and shouting till 1am. Also who decides to shower after 11pm while listening to loud drum and bass? We didnt see the on-site manager enforce any of the rules. Can't say we managed to get much sleep at this hostel. Good location, 5min walk to the water, 10min walk to woolies.

Love this hostel! We had to extend lots of extra nights due to a storm and Aména (the manager) was so amazingly kind and understanding and made accommodations to keep us in the same room. She is a wonderful person. Hostel was in a solid location, clean bathrooms, decent rooms. Kitchen didn’t have oven*

I had the best nights sleep of my LIFE at this hostel. Seriously never slept better! Super clean kitchens and bathrooms, plenty of space to chill. Really useful to be able to use the bathroom / kitchen facilities after check out too before a night bus. And perfect location for the bus + the marina.

My favourite hostel in Australia so far. This is what a hostel should be like. A lot of places try to create this atmosphere artificially but it’s places like Backpackers by the Bay that still have the magic. An abundance of board games and cockatoos, lots of catan enthusiasts. You will come here and make friends to enjoy the area with. On top of this, the kitchen is well stocked and despite other reviews, very clean. The bedrooms are very well air conditioned, you will sleep soundly.

Avoid and book hotel or Airbnb. Rooms seem to never be cleaned. Air con mouldy. Mixed gender bathrooms. No aircon in communal spaces. Kitchen is ok, very basic. Staff are friendly but not helpful. Lots of long stay residents. Really crap and run down. Not looked after at all. Pool is nice, gym is crap. No curtains on top bunks. Got ill from this place. Would never ever stay again. Really rough, crap, and not worth the money whatsoever. The whole place needs lots of money put into it. Avoid at all costs.

I stayed 2 nights and I liked it. The room was nice and clean. They separated long terms from short stays which was great because long terms have their stuff all over the place. The bed was cute and SO COMFORTABLE! I really loved the mattress. And they have curtains which I always appreciate. When they cleaned the bathrooms they were very clean, but I think they should be cleaned more often because they quickly get dirty since many people are using them. The kitchen was ok, but there wasn't enough fridges for putting everyone's stuff. That was a problem. Common area ok, nothing special. Staff smiling and helpful. Recommended

I stayed 5 months at this hostel and it truly felt like family. The atmosphere is unique, the location is perfect, and the staff is always helpful and kind. I had amazing encounters here! thank you for everything

Absolutely AWESOME stay. Definitely a party place, very social. Staff are wonderful, other guests are very friendly. Short walk to town and the beach. Only downside was that some of the guests were very messy, kitchen was usually trashed, staff did clean daily but it still got very messy, BUT they let people party as long as they don't bother other people so it works out. Will definitely stay again!