YHA Sydney Harbour - The Rocks

Location: good access to circular quay which aligned with our travel plans. Close to tram and in walking distance to train stations. It is an uphill walk from circular quay so bear that in mind. You can't really beat the location and especially the rooftop view.||Atmosphere: rooftop 10/10, dining area 7/10 it is clean, the vibe is simple, respectful and neat, lots of students when we were there but also some families and older people too. The room we were in had a bunkbed, and well located however unfortunately the bathroom let down the atmosphere of the room we stayed in. I am not that fussy but we were opposite a communal bathroom that was cleaner than our private bathroom. There was sooo much black mould in all the grout lines of the shower. I had to turn my back to not face that every day and it put me in a really bad mood because I felt grossed out. This wasn't the case in the public bathroom opposite us so I hope that this issue is fixed. I also feel the style of the bathroom e.g tapware and toilet roll holder etc made it feels like a public bathroom/but I guess it is the hostel feel. ||Value: if we had a clean bathroom I would not hesitate to give 10/10 as the staff, facilities, ease of check in check out, location, rooftop etc., comfort of the beds themselves were all really great. I would give 6/10, just unfortunately we had an unpleasant bathroom in our room and I don't know if I would go back because a deal breaker for me is coming back to a relaxing shower after a day of walking around- I hope YHA take this on board :). As I said I'm not that fussy but I think something needs to be done when there is that much mould on the showers. Hopefully they can also think of making the bathrooms a bit more appealing in future. Otherwise I want to thank YHA staff for their hospitality they are fantastic.

Great value. Visited Spring this year, family of three. This place is so family friendly and very impressed with facilities - they are not high end as it is a hostel however everything clean, simple and just made everything super convenient for our trip. We felt so comfortable during breakfast times with our preschooler because of the chill/unpretentious vibe. Bathroom cleanliness however for our room was not great :/. It is the reason for not giving five stars, the issue was the black mould in nearly all the grout lines of the shower. I actually felt a bit upset when we got there the first night but my son loved sleeping in the bunk bed and we didn't know if we could get another room with bunk bed. We were at the end of the hall on the first level, and opposite us was a communal bathroom that was cleaner than ours with no mould. I mention this as I hope YHA take this on board to fix this issue/maybe need to regrout that particular shower? The bed was comfy and temperature was good otherwise. Shower pressure was also good. I would like to thank the staff for making our stay sooo wonderful too The music on the rooftop with dinner and the view..was a highlight of our trip. Would love to return to YHA Harbour if hopefully we can have a cleaner bathroom next time!

Absolutely loved my stay at YHA Sydney Harbour! The location couldn’t be better — right in The Rocks, just a short walk to trains, buses, and trams, and so close to the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The place is spotless, with super clean rooms and common areas. The staff are friendly and always ready to help with anything you need. I really liked the kitchens — fully equipped and perfect for cooking whatever you want, which made it feel just like home. And the rooftop view… wow! It’s simply breathtaking, with the Harbour Bridge and Opera House right in front of you. I’ll definitely be coming back here next time I’m in Sydney. Highly recommend it!

Family trip - adult with 2 teens and we have a wonderful time! Room was small and basic but just what we needed - very clean and we had a good night's sleep every night. Perfect location - we spent hours wandering the Rocks and walking to Circular Quay. Close to public transport. Friendly staff. My only suggested improvement would be - it would be nice to see the breakfast change once in a while. We stayed for a week and it was exactly the same every day - not a complaint, just a suggestion. Thanks for a wonderful stay - we will be back again :)

YHA Sydney Harbour is one of the best places to stay if you want an unforgettable experience in the heart of Sydney. The location is absolutely unbeatable — just a short walk to the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, and the Opera House. The views alone make this place special, especially from the rooftop terrace where you can relax and watch the harbour sparkle day and night.The rooms and facilities are clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. The beds were great, bathrooms tidy, and the shared spaces felt safe and organised. The kitchen and common areas are spacious and convenient for cooking, working, or socializing with other travellers.The highlight for me is the rooftop — the perfect spot for sunrise, sunset, or simply enjoying the iconic Sydney skyline. It’s peaceful, memorable, and makes the stay feel truly unique.The staff were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the area. They offered good recommendations for food, transport, and things to do around the city.Whether you are travelling solo, with friends, or as a couple, YHA Sydney Harbour is a fantastic choice. Amazing location, stunning views, clean rooms, great facilities, and excellent value. I would definitely stay here again.

Great location!!!! Right near most things. The bridge, opera house, shopping, food, observatory hill and plenty more. Was a lil pricey but I did go for the New Year. Breakfast wasn't the best but it worked. This was my first time staying in a hostel and I would probably only do it again if the price is way lower than a hotel. Overall great experience

Unbelievable!!!! Location!!! Service!!! Friendliness!!! Ceiling height!!! Private!!! Shower pressure!!! Now lemme start 👆location amazeballs, was a sub 6min walk to George street, opera house and the markets (btw that is stutting eta), next, rooms felt lovely and clean bed designed to spend the day in and showers sized for a queen and a king 😏, next, very big … tv you can chrome cast to, unmatched service (literally let shower after a long day after checking about and held our bags in secure storage for the day #legends). I’m sorry to do this but this is where I have to wrap it up thank you for your time reading this 8:00pm brain dump extravaganza so for the big finale … what exquisite pricing for this entire holiday bundle love love love xxx. Ps we did not partake in the breakfast fiesta so cannot comment unfortunately, however that water bottle tap … goddamn … 🥵🥵🥵

First time staying at this place. Best decision I’ve made, enjoyed the location, staff members are amazing, friendly and welcoming. The breakfast buffet was amazing and very affordable. Definitely this place will be my favourite place when I’m in Sydney. And the view from rooftops just stunning

I am a traveler , and this place is the most diverse place I've ever seen. Amazing staff and great amenities. Besides the loads of money you'll save sharing a room with strangers, you have a chance to meet new people. They offer free pancakes in the morning, snacks for sale, and laundry. If you arrive early they have locked luggage storage. The view from the deck! No hostel can top it. A view of the bridge and opera house. And the location is so perfect for touristy things. They are in a safe neighborhood called "the rocks" with plenty of things to see and eat. 5 minute walk to the trains, buses, and taxis.

I enjoyed staying here except for the two that I was paired with. I had just flown 20 hours, was now 15 hours ahead of my normal time. They kept coming in and out of the room getting beer until 3am. I finally got up, took a shower, slept in the lobby until it was time to go to the cruise port. I would have paid for private room if I knew my experience would have been this. I was offered a different room but didn't want to be that person and wake up someone by going into their room at 3am.

If you're used to traveling for really, really cheap, this place is probably super nice. Likely the only affordable location at the Rocks. Comparing it to European hostels though, it's a 3.5 for me. Tips: - If you're carrying a lot of baggage, take the damn Circular Quay train exit. That one is much closer than the other one they recommend that starts with a W. Given how many stairs there are, I would just take a quick Uber from the Circular Quay. - This hostel is very a la carte. Others will hold your baggage; here you have to pay for locker rental if you show up early and can't check in. It's $5AUS for the first four hours. - Bring your own towel. Rental is $2AUS. - Bring your own lock. Buying one is $7AUS. *** - Buy your own sim card in the airport (super cheap if in the airport) before you head into town. The wifi here is pretty shitty unless you pay, and it's only available in the lobby. Their network needs to be expanded for the number of people on it, but I guess there's no need to if you want people to pay for wifi. Things to love: - Location - Free sunscreen. Really good of them. - You can put all of your food in a cubby, marked with your name and just cook your own meals. - Staff, like most massive hostels, was really nice. Probably the one thing that bothered me the most is how cheap they are with the AC. Now, I'm from a tropical island, so I can tolerate some heat, but this was just ridiculous. It was almost record hot in Sydney that weekend I was there, but you have to run upstairs and ask for them to turn your AC on to your room. Even then, the coldest it can go is 23 degrees when they click "on" to activate by computer mouse, but it won't feel like 23 degrees before it automatically shuts off. It was hard to fall asleep at night. If you're broke or on the road for a long time, this is a solid stay.

This is no ordinary backpackers! It's easy to see why it has received many awards and has a great reputation. For starters, there's its prime location in the historic Rocks area, very close to Circular Quay, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, etc. Very handy for the BridgeClimb - just a few minutes away on the same street. A huge bonus is the hostel's rooftop terrace which has spectacular views over all of this, a real treat. Like many YHA hostels, the building has a quirky aspect to its character - the modern building has been constructed around an archaeological site. I didn't have time to visit the on-site Big Dig centre or take part in the activities but it was pretty interesting just to observe the site beneath the walkways and display of artefacts in the entrance. Inside, the hostel is modern and clean and of an excellent standard. Our room itself was great. We had booked a double room with ensuite shower and WC. The room was a reasonable size and was more like hotel accommodation than a backpackers. Tea/coffee making supplies and towels were also provided. The large kitchen, dining and social space areas are light and airy and located on the same floor as reception (1st floor), and there's a café counter to the side of the reception area. If you fancy dining al fresco there's a balcony with tables and chairs or you can take the lift up to the roof terrace. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There are a number of items you can borrow for a deposit from reception like hair straighteners, etc. One thing to bear in mind is that the hostel is located atop a hill. On the map it didn't look like much of a walk from Circular Quay but it felt like a fair old hike carrying our bags up sloping pavements and flights of stairs. It did cost more than our central Sydney hostel stays but for private ensuite accommodation in such a well-equipped and high standard of hostel in an excellent area and with panoramic rooftop views over world famous Sydney harbour and its landmarks it is absolutely value for money!

Truly as good as it gets! Having stayed in hostels all over the world, I don't think anything can beat The Rocks at Sydney Harbour. Everything from the level of cleanliness, to the folks at the front desk, to the rooms, the views, and just the history of the neighborhood makes this YHA blow every other hostel out of the water. I have a twin sister who backpacked through Australia a year before I did. When she told me about this hostel I scrambled to book a room and found that on a few of the nights I'd be in town, they were all booked up. Damn! Having been forced to stay elsewhere in Sydney, I can guarantee that this is by far the best hostel in town. Perched atop a hill you'd be smart to catch a bus or cab to the hostel. If you're an idiot like me, you can also get lost and climb dozens of stairs with a heavy backpack. NOTE: Doing it my way will make you learn the hostels location really fast. Once I finally made it there, I never forgot how to get back. And I never took my backpack down that hill until I checked out! That being said however, the hilltop location provides spectacular rooftop views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It's totally worth the climb! And after eating some Hungry Jacks, I needed to burn off the calories anyway. If you're a history buff, an archeology buff or a geology buff - this is the hostel for you. The historic location of the hostel is really unique as they built it on stilts above the ground. With glass floors and glass walls at the ground level, you'll notice carefully placed signs and posters that show you what The Rocks looked like decades ago when people first settled in this neighborhood. You can even see artifacts that have been dug up as well as outlines and bricks leftover from old housing plots. It's fascinating! I really loved that the hostel wanted to preserve the land and make sure that travelers were aware of the history of the area while they passed through. There's even a little museum area where guests of the hostel can go and learn from a speaker and get a more in-depth story about the region, the history, the people, etc. The rooms at this hostel are great too. In an effort to conserve electricity, each room has a special key card. When you slip this card into a slot on the wall you can control the lights and the AC. That way when people aren't at home - the lights and air conditioning aren't working and there's no waste of energy being devoted to empty rooms. The kitchen is also state-of-the-art and enormous. Packed with everything you'd need to cook or prepare a meal, everyone has space for a cubby or a shelf to store their own food if they have any. Attached is a large communal dining space and seating area with cozy couches and chairs. While the space is clearly a hostel and not a hotel, it was a clean as a hotel and much cheaper. You still have to pay for WIFI access but that seems normal in Australia. Nothing was free! Unless I'm on a romantic vacation with someone, I don't think I'll ever stay in a hotel in Sydney. I really enjoyed my stay at this hostel and wish every other hostel in the world could be this amazing. And I didn't even get to the huge TV room yet...!

I stayed here earlier in the year when I was visiting Sydney and although there are a few hostel choices in the CBD this has got to the the best hostel I have ever stayed in, and like many others who have reviewed this hostel comment, I have stayed in many hostels around the world. You are a short walk away from incredible views of the harbour bridge and opera house and the heart of the CBD. It is easy to get to from the airport just get off the train at circular quay station which is only a short walk away. Of course the short walk can feel like a marathon if your backpack is heavy and you are jet lagged! Needless to say once unburdened by luggage the YHA is easy walking distance to the transport hub of circular quay, train, bus or ferry. The hostel itself is built over an archeological dig of The Rocks with some information boards detailing the history of The Rocks area which is something different and interesting. The staff at the front desk were some of the friendliest YHA staff I have come across and this is the same level as the kitchen and dining area. Such a large and well kept kitchen. Indoor seating or under cover outdoor for those wanting some fresh air and a view. The breakfast is reasonably priced but very filling and I got much more than I expected for my buck. The rooms are large with plenty of space for all in the four person dorm I stayed in. Most impressed with the sheer space afforded to the ensuite compared to some of the airplane sized dorm ensuite I have seen in other hostels. And hot water too!!! There is a storage locker for each person, bring you own lock, that are big enough to handle a proper backpack without it needing to be cut in half and then half again just to fit inside. Each bunk has a light and power plug, handy if you want to read up on he lonely planet without keeping others in the dorm up. There is a TV room and wifi. Wifi you pay for but reliable enough. The view from the roof top terrace is utterly amazing, looking straight out to the opera house provided one of those massive cruise ships is not docked at circular quay! A lovely place to stay in the heart of Sydney

Best hostel yet, for these reasons-- Location: Across from gym ($17 day pass) Few-minute walk from Harbour Bridge (climb up stairs, walk across the bridge) Two pubs down the street Few-minute walk from harbour area with ferries, Circular Quay train station, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Opera House Convenience store next door Built atop The Big Dig (curious) 30-minute train ride from airport (stop at Circular Quay) 4-person room: En-suite, hotel-like bathroom Plenty space for 4 people Individual power points (sockets) with light at each bed Individual lockers in room Enough head room at bottom bunk Common areas: Large kitchen / dining room with multiple cooking / washing stations Rooftop terrace with nice harbour views and entertainment room Other: Wifi $5/day, decent/stable enough Pleasant staff Modern building Clean

Normally I prefer smaller hostels, but for a large, city hostel Sydney Harbour YHA is as good as it gets. Everything is clean and new. The dorm rooms have ensuite bathrooms. There is a giant, well-equipped kitchen. The view from the roof is fantastic! Being a huge hostel, it's not that social but they offer some nice activities like a free walking tour, that help with meeting other travellers. The staff are generally very good, although one of them was extremely rude and acted like everything was huge imposition on his time. If you are arriving from Circular Quay, you don't have to walk up the endless flights of stairs with your backpack as their directions tell you to, just walk a block over to Essex Street and then up to York Street then straight down York. It's still up hill, but almost no stairs.

This is easily the best hostel that I have had a pleasure staying at, everything about it was perfect. The room impressed me the most - I stayed in a 4-share room and the room comes with a private bathroom! Also the room is spacious in itself and there are plugs everywhere in the room, even a plug near the bed night switch and in the locker...impressive. The service at reception was really great. I enjoyed the continental breakfast for $6, it's just a great way to start your day. Unfortunately the rates are not the best for this YHA as they are more pricey compared to the other YHA's, but if you ever want to visit the Harbour Bridge & Opera House you definitely have to stay here!

This hostel is really amazing! Located in "the Rocks" neighborhood, (the nicest place in Sydney), The hostel is clean, the service is incredible, from the upper deck you can see the Opera house. The facilties are very confortable. The price is not the best value, and if you are interested try to book in advance.

location. the rocks. couldn't be better and the view from the rooftop-terrace is stunning. I don't know how they got the place but it's AWESOME! rooms/facilities. brand new. shiny. the most clean hostel I've seen in Australia worldwide only toped by Mountain Hostel Laax Switzerland. rates. reasonably low. it's still a yha :o) service. also a hostel has some kind of service but yha-like this one is forthcoming and friednly as we know it. So if you're looking for a good accommodation in Sydney this is your place. You'll find it right here.

I've been meaning to Yelp this YHA for almost a year now. The best hostel I have ever stayed in, I instantly saw what all the fuss was about. Not only is it an extremely cool building, but the staff are so incredibly helpful and kind. I would love to return here and definitely recommend it. It is also in a prime location. The staff was helpful in getting me connected to the US when I could not get the phone to work out myself. They also recommended many things to do, places to see, and restaurants to eat in around Sydney. I cannot wait until my next trip to Sydney.

Located in the oldest and arguably the coolest part of Sydney - The Rocks - the Sydney Harbour YHA hostel was an amazing place to stay during our Aussie adventure. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the beautiful views advertised were real and not over-hyped!! No worries on capturing awesome pictures of the Opera house morning, day or night. For those who have an interest in history or archaeology, the hostel is actually located on an active dig site - a fantastic and close activity to do when it's raining outside. The hostel is big and seems to cater to large groups, so you don't have some of the charm found in smaller hostels, but that being said, the facilities all seemed to be new and everything was remarkably clean - best bathrooms we used on our entire trip!! Insider tips: Camino Cantina has $2 tacos on Tuesdays and The Fine Food Store (located in The Rocks) has some excellent coffee. There is also a free walking tour that goes through The Rocks in the evenings at 6 PM, which is a cool way to learn more about the area (http://www.imfree.com.au/sydney/rocksat6/).

Simply the best hostel I have stayed in. Fantastic location, at the heart of Circular Quay, close to train and ferry. Safe, exceptionally clean and welcoming vibe. The roof has a harbour view and a cinema. There is even a gym right across the road. Would definitely stay here again.

Haven't stayed in many YHAs but thought this one was great. A large communal kitchen/lounge area, amazing roof-top where you can BYO beers and take in one of the best views of Sydney Harbour, nightly activities and food specials, and all of this on top of genuine Australian artefacts: the bottom level where you walk in was having a tour group through it when we arrived, and looks out down to excavated artefacts of the first settlers. Room was simple, as to be expected, but did the job. A very cool place to stay in Sydney.

It's close to everything and the view from the roof terrace is incredible. The atmosphere of the hostel and the place around is inviting, safe and comfortable. One should stay longer at the place if he wants to throughly explore the rocks and the CBD.