Wake Up! Sydney
Hostel · Haymarket ·

Wake Up! Sydney

Hostel · Haymarket ·

Bright dorms & private rooms, lively bar, breezy cafe & free Wi-Fi

Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null
Wake Up! Sydney by null

Information

ATM 7232/509 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia Get directions

Information

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ATM 7232/509 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia Get directions

+61 2 9288 7888
wakeup.com.au
@wakeuphostels
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@wakeuphostel

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Dec 13, 2025

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@nomadicmatt
6,681 Postcards · 1,174 Cities

The 7 Best Hostels in Australia (Updated 2025)

"I liked my time there — the hostel feels like a large, trendy backpacker hotel with eight floors and a clean, modern look. Although the size and small common areas can make it harder to meet people outside the main social spaces, the big bar downstairs (biggest night is Monday) makes it easy to socialize, and I especially enjoyed the high water pressure in the showers and beds that didn’t creak. It’s very convenient, located just next to Central Station in Sydney, but it is more expensive than cheaper options in King’s Cross." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/my-favorite-australian-hostels/
Wake Up! Sydney
@nomadicmatt
6,681 Postcards · 1,174 Cities

My Top 9 Hostels in Sydney for 2025

"I found Wake Up! Sydney Central to feel like a hotel for backpackers: it’s tall and hyper-trendy with small common areas, but the big bar/nightclub downstairs provides plenty of opportunities to meet people. It’s super fun and lively, the showers have high water pressure and the beds don’t creak, and its location next to Central Station makes it very convenient for airport transfers and short stays." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-hostels-sydney/
Wake Up! Sydney
@nomadicmatt
6,681 Postcards · 1,174 Cities

Visiting Australia: 10 Great Things to Do & See in 2025

"I recommend Wake Up! Sydney as a favored hostel in Sydney and a solid budget accommodation choice." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/ten-reasons-to-visit-australia/
Wake Up! Sydney

Emma 1.

Google
I had a great stay at this hostel. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and the location is perfect, as it is right next to Central Station and you can be in the city within a few minutes. The kitchen is unfortunately a bit small for the size of the hostel, so it's difficult to find a place to cook, especially in the evenings (but it's good that there are now induction plates). I also got to know some great people here. I would particularly like to mention the receptionist, Daphne, because she was always incredibly nice and helpful and I often had conversations with her. These personal conversations made my stay even more enjoyable and personal. I would come back at any time and can definitely recommend the hostel.

Trip.com M.

Google
I recently stayed at Wake Up! Sydney and had a great experience overall. The hostel is conveniently located right across from Central Station, which made getting around the city incredibly easy. The location is perfect whether you’re exploring the city on foot or using public transport.The staff were super friendly and helpful from the moment I checked in. The check-in process was smooth and quick, and they were always available to answer questions or give recommendations.I stayed in a [insert your room type – e.g. 6-bed mixed dorm/private room], and it was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Each bed had its own power outlet and reading light, and the lockers provided were secure and spacious. The bathrooms were regularly cleaned and always stocked.One of my favorite things was the social atmosphere. There were plenty of events going on, and the common areas made it easy to meet other travelers. The Side Bar downstairs was lively and a great place to grab a drink or join the nightly events.I also appreciated the on-site café – perfect for grabbing a quick coffee or breakfast before heading out.Overall, I’d definitely recommend Wake Up! Sydney to any traveler looking for a vibrant, clean, and well-located place to stay in Sydney.

Kris R.

Google
I liked this hotel; the location is simply one of the best. It’s quite youthful and focused on activity. It’s a really great option that the staff organize various events and show tourists around the city. Evening events also help you make friends. I only attended the wine and cheese evening, but I definitely enjoyed it. I was also given a room on the top floor, so I didn’t hear the noise coming from the bar at night. However, when I needed to work at night in the common area, it was very noticeable. I definitely recommend this place if you want to meet new people and have fun.

540katrik

Google
I spent a wonderful week at Wake Up! Sydney.||The common areas were clean, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Great laundry and cooking facilities. I stayed on the top floor, which was very quiet. I will definitely choose Wake Up! hostels again in the future.||The only downside was that the room felt a bit cold since it wasn’t summer. However, I was able to get an extra blanket from reception upon request.

Samantha Q.

Google
Loved my stay at Wake Up! Very clean rooms/amenities with lots of common areas! Super fun place when trying to meet people, lots of fun activities! Evan was such a great, fun guy making me feel super welcome and happy to join in on events happening! Totally recommend staying here and meeting great events staff!<3

Liselotte G.

Google
Stayed at Wake Up! Sydney and had an awesome experience. The place has such good vibes and everything’s super clean and organized. Big shoutout to Madison at reception — she was an absolute legend! I wanted to extend my stay and she was super patient and helpful the whole time. Couldn’t ask for better service. Definitely recommend this place!

Maria Laura H.

Google
The hostel’s location is super convenient and practical for newcomers to Sydney. It’s close to key places for running errands, taking courses, and getting around. The kitchen hours are a bit limited, and at times it can get quite noisy. The rooms and bathrooms are comfortable and clean, but the best thing I’m taking from there is Horacio — his kindness and great vibe!

Rabindra S.

Google
I often stay in this hostel every time i go to Sydney, central .The location is perfect, right in Sydney Central, which made it super easy to explore the city. The staff were all great, but a special thanks to Nora at the front desk for being so friendly and helpful—she made a huge difference. They really focus on cleanliness the beds are comfortable for the price. It's a fantastic choice for a comfortable and convenient stay.
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Jonathan X.

Yelp
Private room, third floor. Pros: Nice people, good location. Wifi is good. Lots of sponsored and structured activities. Clean. Safe. Cons: No air conditioning in the rooms, only central. No way to make the room dark or open the windows. Bed is horribly uncomfortable. Not enough power outlets. Showers suck, you have to make out with the wall to get under the spray. I did not enjoy it but it was bearable. A good place if you're looking to get laid, save money, or what to share with some very close friends. The beds were awful, and having no in-room air con puts this on the no list for me, but others may find it perfectly suitable.
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Amanda W.

Yelp
I booked an all-girls 4 beds, for 4 nights. I got lucky being alone for all of those nights. That's very rare. Standard bunk beds and lockers in room. Men & Women bathrooms, along with laundry room, on each floor. A bit noisy, with doors closing loudly and the window from outside (as it really is super central Sydney), so maybe some updated noise cancelling in those areas. They do at least offer free ear plugs as requested. Attached bar for dinner and drinks / fun, and cafe for breakfast / lunch. They sell the basics if you forget - locks, adaptors, etc so that is a perk! Vending machines downstairs just in case. I never felt dirty anywhere. Friendly front desk and a few of the items listed on website and brochure they don't have currently but they do offer some cool free activities - yay city guide walking tour! Pretty fairly priced for location / accommodation. I spent about $150 USD for the 4 nights (with a breakfast voucher included - hot drink & a toastie). I would've spent that on 1 night in a hotel. You give up a little privacy and you save some money. I'd stay here again.
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Nina S.

Yelp
Pretty good for hostel as it's clean but can use some improvement such as the beds are very loud and shaky bunk beds. The kitchen can't seem to handle the 7 floors of guests. Value 4/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Service 4/5 Quality 4/5 16/20
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Vijay S.

Yelp
Good place to stay in Sydney. Close to central station and probably 15 to 20 minutes away from airport. There's a bar downstairs with a dj playing on some nights. Lots of different events happening. Also the attached restaurant is good for breakfast/brunch. Otherwise lively environment with a predominantly young crowd. Beds were comfy and rooms were decent. Staff were friendly and helpful. Overall good experience.
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Sage G.

Yelp
Wake up and smell the coffee! This cafe is at the bottom of a hostel in the city near Central Station - the cake is $3.50 a slice basic chocolate and carrot cake, and the coffee delicious. I enjoyed sitting outside having a coffee. It's a friendly atmosphere as there are travellers around - and it would be very convenient to get around as the station is right there. They have a lunch menu and some dinner options too, but I was just walking past so it was great for a quick rest stop.
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Qype User (.

Yelp
Extremely central, like slap bang in the middle of sydney, which is very handy. The Wake up is a freak of nature Hostel, that looks more like an office block from the outside. Set out on 6 floors, and very efficent (you key card activites the lifts, so you can only go to your floor), the hostel is constantly full with backpackers from all over the world. however, the staff are pissy, unhelpful, and the whole place is very sterile. i would not recomend this place for a backpacker on their own, as its harder to meet people. however, a great redeeming quality of this place is the Side Bar..located in the basement. A great bar, with open mic nights, promitional night and pool tables
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Great location being right across from central station and everything is in a very walkable distance. This was my first hostel experience and everything was very tidy and nothing short of great. It's convenient to have a cafe and restaurant/bar right within the hostel and there were great drink deals/events every night. A lot of tours will pick you up from here which adds to the convenience. If you book through hostel world you will also get premium wifi which was another perk. Next time I experience Sydney I would definitely come back! Side note: this hostel was a little pricier than other hostels around Sydney but definitely worth the price.
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Emily S.

Yelp
Stayed at Wake Up a couple of times while backpacking around Oz. Rooms: Spacious mixed room, but the rooms I stayed in, the beds were all lining the walls, which resulted in an obstacle course of bags and clothes when trying to get to your bed. The lockers were decent, though, so you could keep your things neat and safe, if you feel so inclined. Bathrooms: Clean enough and big enough. The handful of toilet stalls and shower stalls never left me waiting to use either, which is always a plus. Kitchen: It was a struggle, at times, to find enough space in the fridge for my freezer bag, but if you've ever played Tetris, you'll figure it out. The food prep areas were always busy at peak hours, and seating also difficult to come by, at times, so plan your meal times accordingly. Besides all that, the space was typically kept clean and had all you needed to prep your meals. Community: Some of the best people I met while traveling I met at Wake Up. Definitely take advantage of the free walking tour of the city, and any other free group activities. You'll be rewarded with a free drink after, and you're likely to meet some awesome people along the way. The basement bar almost always has a crowd, and the drink specials are hard to beat in a city as expensive as Sydney. Location: Conveniently across the street from Central Station, a stone's throw from Haymarket and Hyde Park. I easily walked all around town for the week or so I stayed. It's a bit further to the other backpacker destinations, like King's Cross, but where there's a will, there's a way (especially if you just catch a bus by the train station).
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Bailey Elise M.

Yelp
You can find cheaper, you can find bigger, but if you're looking for an easy place to find things to do every day/night, make friends and have a very easy stay, Wake Up is the place for you. The rooms are clean and have pretty large lockers under the bunks. As a previous reviewer mentioned, only some of the rooms have shelves for bag storage, so the room can become a bit difficult to navigate with 6 or 10 backpacks littering the ground. Bedding was provided and was good. Rooms are accessible with a key card ($20 key deposit) so DONT FORGET IT WHEN YOU GO TO THE SHOWER/BATHROOM because that's awkward and super embarrassing, especially when you are wet and in your towel. Bathrooms were clean, large, and never full no matter when I went in. Showers are spacious and have a nice shelf for your stuff--only one set of bathrooms per sex per floor, though, so it could be a bit of a walk from your room. Every night and many days, there is something to do. Monday/Friday: City tour by day Wednesday: Beach walk, Coogee to Bondi There's also a sausage sizzle, travel talk, wine and cheese night and move night, not to mention all the specials downstairs at the bar/club (Wednesday night international bikini contest is legitimately one of the craziest things I've ever seen in a hostel, which is saying something. You have to pay for wifi. There is no free breakfast, but there is a large kitchen. If it's a bus day, the kitchen will be packed during peak hours so plan accordingly.
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Julie C.

Yelp
Stayed at Wake Up for six nights while in Sydney. It was an adequate place to stay and definitely in a great location, within walking distance to Darling Harbour and a lot of great restaurants! (Try It's Time For Thai - they have amazing pad Thai!). The downsides were it was very noisy, not always the cleanest and the prices they charge are outrageous for wifi and laundry ($8 per load of laundry!) Overall, it was an alright place to stay in a good location ;however, I don't think I would stay here again.
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Ciaran B.

Yelp
"It is what it is." Wake Up! provides you with a clean place to stay, while you get yourself sorted. It's pretty much luck of the draw whether you find yourself with decent people, and I have to admit that this will be pretty much the be-all-and-end-all of your time here. That said, it is well-maintained, and the staff are friendly. The kitchen needs to be a lot bigger though, and they need to prevent people from nicking food.
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Alex M.

Yelp
We booked through a travel agency and were presented Wake up Sydney as one of the best values in town. I have to say it's hard for me to believe there is no better option for a young couple on a budget. So yes, this hostel is very well located, next to the station, to shops and not too far from the free bus that will take you around the center. Yes, our double room with en-suite was clean and the bed was comfortable enough. Yes, when we were there, everyone at the front desk was smiling and helpful (we did, however ask for a blanket we never got, but they apologized for it). Yes, the food at the side bar was a good value. That's for the positive sides. As far as the negative sides go, it's your choice now: if you don't mind being waken up in the middle of the night (and by that I mean every night for a few hours, even while wearing earplugs) by drunk college kids, or in the middle of your afternoon nap by loud speakerphones, if you don't care that both the bedroom furniture and the bathroom features are functional yet on the very far end of the minimalist side, then you're good to go. If after all this you're not grossed out in the morning by the leftover kebabs/fries on the hallway's floor, and also if you don't need cheap wireless internet access, then you can go ahead and book a room now.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
Amazing hostel with exceptional service! This is the first time I've stayed in a hostel, and I'm so glad I chose this place! Check-in, room changing, and checking out is easy, and there's even a room where you can store your luggage in before/after check in/out. The staff are super nice, friendly, and accommodating. There is cafe on the same level as the lobby and there is even a bar downstairs. The rooms are pretty standard, nothing too fancy, and there's outlets right next to the bed so you can charge your phone right next to you while you're in bed. The bathrooms are clean and decent, with 4 shower stalls, 4 toilet stalls, and 4 sinks for the whole floor. You can rent towels as well, and get the money bac when you return said towels. There's even tours and other deals with the cafe and bar every day! The location is great too, and it's right across from Central Station. Everything in CBD is in walking distance as well! I can't recommend this place enough! If I am ever in Sydney again, I am definitely staying in this hostel again!
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Qype User (.

Yelp
This is a great hostel for if you're just entering or leaving the country as you can quite easily gather your thoughts here. However they have a quick turn around of people so this makes making friends very hard, so don't go here if you're backpacking on your own. The bar attached to this hostel (Side Bar) is quite good, well worth a visit if you want to meet people coming in or leave Australia!
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Laura D.

Yelp
***YOUR STUFF IS NOT SAFE HERE!*** ***STAFF MEMBER STOLE MY LAPTOP!!! DISHONEST MANAGEMENT. *** My experience at WakeUp! started off OK and then quickly went sour. We had to switch rooms mid-way through our stay. Our new room wasn't ready before we needed to leave for the day so the staff told us we could put our luggage in the LOCKED area to the side of the front desk/reception. This area was locked and only accessible by staff with a key. We came back later that night to find that both of my bags and several other guest bags had been ripped open and rummaged through. My laptop was stolen. The management did not want to own up to being responsible. After much prodding, one of the managers confirmed to me that they had video footage and it was a member of their cafe staff who was caught on video taking the laptop. Weeks later I'm still trying to get them to own up to taking responsibility. They're insisting it wasn't their staff, but this does not add up. The area is ONLY accessible using a key that the staff has. The theft was either by a staff member or a staff member was negligent and left the door open (either accidentally or on purpose.) Otherwise, the place was OK. The room was fine for a backpackers, but the bathrooms and toilets were always disgusting and filthy on both of the floors we stayed on, every day for 5 days. The place was really loud as well, so hard to sleep, but it is a backpackers so that's understandable. GROSS and DISHONEST MANAGEMENT. I do not recommend this place.
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melissa c.

Yelp
Centrally located. Clean, well lit, fun, bar/restaurant/café/club right next door. Affordable. Hughly recommend for anybody looking to stay in Sydney either traveling alone or in a group. Young international vibe.
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Marissa P.

Yelp
My least favorite hostel of all my Australian hostel adventures. It was clean yes, it was fine but it's geared towards the "mom and dad finally let me leave the house, let's party all night long crowed." Considering I paid a more to stay here than most of my hostels I expected to at least be able to get a bit of sleep. It's a huge hostel with many floors, which might be part of the problem.But I will say that they had a lot activities planed for guest and plenty of cheap food and drink options (including a kanga burger for the tourists). Will say that is was very close to the train station if you are coming from the airport it's convenient.
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Miriam M.

Yelp
I'm not giving this place 5 stars because they had the fanciest or cleanest of the clean rooms (not saying it's a dump either). Because honestly when you sign up for an 8 bed mixed dorm, the hostel cannot control the fact that you're staying with, although friendly, very messy Scottish boys haha. But The staff was incredibly helpful. I had a 30hr layover in Sydney on my way to NZ and they not only let me check in early so I could get changed and get to sight seeing right away with the little time I had but also rented me a towel for free (I didn't have an AUD since I was planning on using card only since it was a layover stay). Another girl also let me store my bag for free since I had 1 hr wait between checkout and leaving for my flight. I'm not saying they are not a rule abiding staff, but they really understood the fact that I was an American girl who hand't really thought out her layover well and took that into consideration when helping me. And for that I am truly grateful! They have events set up every night, a bar and cafe on site, as well laptop plug in area. Place was pretty trendy with bright inviting decor as well. If I ever go back to Sydney I would stay there again as it's also close to central station and cheaper than the YHA. I do wish they had cheaper wifi though. However I noticed in Aus and NZ wifi is never cheap or free unless you're at a Maca's!
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Christopher B.

Yelp
Great location. Just a 20 minute walk to Darling Harbour. Friendly staff. Plenty to do! Lockers in rooms. Bar downstairs is good, but expect a lengthy line up, especially after dark. Would definitely stay again
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Gemma C.

Yelp
Wake Up Sydney is the ultimate hostel in Sydney for those who wish to be central to everything. The only drawback is the "wake up wake up wake up" announcement over the loud speaker at 10-11am in the morning. When nursing a hangover the size of Australia, this can get a little annoying, especially if you are booked into Wake Up for a week or two. Otherwise the premises are really clean and the location is really close to Central Train Station and other public transport. The hostel is quite modern and even includes access to a washing machine. Overall, it's a great place to meet people. Internet access and computers are made available for your convenience.
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Taylor M.

Yelp
I stayed in five hostels in the last three weeks, and out of them all Wake Up! was definitely my favorite. Very clean and professional, the kitchen is big and nice and has lots of dishes/pots/pans, the attached bar and cafe were both great (some of the best coffee I've ever had) and they offered us great coupons to both (not sure if they offer to everyone, they said it was for booking through HostelWorld). The under the bed lockers were really handy and roomy, and in good condition. My favorite part is that the socializing area was all on one floor, so I never heard anybody partying when we had early flights to catch. No other hostel I've stayed at was so quiet at night (unless you were in the partying area, of course, haha). And of course the staff was very kind and helpful! Oh and the location is AMAZING. You can't get any closer to the train station which of course gets you wherever you want to be in Sydney. I will never stay anywhere else when I come back to Sydney, hands down.
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Maya A.

Yelp
Clean & Adequate amenities. Friendly staff. Definitely a hostel on the higher end. Only draw back is price for a true budget backpacker, but great for a quick holiday in Sydney.
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Kristen J.

Yelp
This was a fun, easy, central location in downtown Sydney. Very convenient location, friendly staff! The bar downstairs is convenient and so fun! i would absolutely stay here again.
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Qype User (.

Yelp
I dont really care about Wake Up. I just want to buried under Side Bar dancefloor.

Brennan S.

Yelp
This is the best hostel to go to, I urge any travelers to book at least one night here. I evaluate this with several standards. First of all, I have found Wake Up to be pretty clean despite the residents throwing their stuff everywhere. If (like me) you happen to be slow to leave the room in the morning, housekeeping is efficient, very friendly, helpful, and knows what they're doing. I have talked to quite a few of them and they are always seem to be able to offer advice, information, or just friendly chitchat to start the day well. Second, sleeping conditions are pretty good. Beds are comfy, the room is a little warm (by my Canadian standards) but other than that, a room with eight people has surprised me by being fairly spacious and a great way to meet new people. Oh, and every bed has its own power outlet, which is one of the most convenient things to find in a hostel, as some of them had the power all of the way across the room. Wake Up does not have free wifi, be warned, unless you book it through a specific website, (name slips my mind) which is advised to save around $15 a week. The actual price compared to what you get is appropriate. The staff working at the lobby are simply spectacular and they obviously care about the welfare of their customers (looking at you Ryan!). My friend and I have had a lot of problems with booking places and we were given a few very helpful options by Ryan, the guy working there. After talking it out, we booked out stay and got a bunch of excellent advice and deals. Best customer service I have ever gotten, especially seeing as he held our rooms open for us while we decided overnight! All in all, I will certainly stay here again, given the chance.