Australia Accommodation

Find a Place to Stay in Australia

Hostel Prices

If you're not sure how much you should pay for a hostel, these hostel price summaries should help you plan your trip. We've analyzed the average prices of hostels for destinations around Australia.

Australia Hostel PricesSydney Hostel PricesMelbourne Hostel PricesPerth Hostel PricesBrisbane Hostel PricesCairns Hostel PricesAdelaide Hostel PricesByron Bay Hostel PricesSurfers Paradise Hostel PricesDarwin Hostel PricesAirlie Beach Hostel PricesTownsville Hostel PricesHobart Hostel Prices


Hostel Recommendations

Here are some of the best hostels by category for destinations around Australia.

The 7 Best Party Hostels in Sydney (2024)The 5 Best Party Hostels in CairnsThe 5 Best Party Hostels in MelbourneSydney Hostels Near the HarbourThe Best Hostels in Sydney, Australia (2024)Best Hostels for Solo Travellers in CairnsBest Hostels for Solo Travellers in Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast, AustraliaBest Hostels for Solo Travellers in Alice SpringsThe Best Hostels in Melbourne (2024)Best Hostels for Solo Travellers, Couples, & Groups in BrisbaneBest Hostels for Solo Travellers, Couples, & Groups in PerthBest Party Hostels in Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, AustraliaBest Party Hostels in Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, & Magnetic Island, AustraliaBest Hostels in Katoomba and the Blue MountainsBest Hostels Near Rockhampton Along the Capricorn Coast3 Cheap Hostels in Coffs Harbour for 2024Hostels along the Great Ocean Road for Road Trips in AustraliaThe Best Hostels in Noosa Heads and the Sunshine Coast for Solo Travelers, Surfers, and CouplesThe Best Hostels in Darwin for Backpackers, Solo Travelers, and CouplesAdelaide's Best Hostels for Backpackers, Couples, and GroupsThe Best Hostels for the Fraser Coast in Hervey Bay and Rainbow BeachThe Best Hostels in Hobart, Tasmania for Backpackers, Couples, and GroupsQuiet, Safe, and Affordable Hostels in Sydney, AustraliaQuiet, Safe, and Affordable Hostels in Melbourne, Australia.Quiet, Safe, and Affordable Hostels in Cairns, AustraliaHostels with Private Rooms in Sydney, Australia


Diving, Hiking, and Cities

Australia is a very popular tourist destination for all types of travelers. It's an adventure traveler's haven with its beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, and excellent hiking and camping opportunities. It also is a center for culture and the arts, making it appealing for every age group and budget range. Australia is also a very expensive destination, particularly in recent years when inflation and exchange rates have driven prices up dramatically. There are a wide variety of accommodation types, but even so, you may be in shell shock at some of the prices. Research all of your options and if you're on a very tight budget think creatively so that you can cut out any unnecessary costs. Food is quite expensive so if you have access to a kitchen you can dramatically cut down on costs as well. Most hostels and guesthouses provide kitchens, as well as some mid-range hotels, so this is usually the best option for budget conscience travelers.
Look For Creative Options

As previously mentioned, prices in Australia can be quite shocking. Not only are hotels expensive, but food and entertainment can be surprisingly high as well. If you're not beginning your trip with large amounts of money, you will want to think about creative ways to minimize your expenses without limiting your comfort and fun. Finding the best deal for accommodation is a great way to do this.

Consider finding a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse with a kitchen which will save you money on your food expenses. If hostels don't appeal to you, look into vacation apartments that you might be able to rent that would also provide a kitchen. Cities are also much more expensive than rural areas and small towns. Australia is known for its natural beauty so head to some national parks and enjoy some camping as well. Camping will be much more affordable than hostels or hotels, particularly if you're tent camping and do not have an RV. Also consider an alternative to Australia's Gold Coast, which is known to have high prices which continue to rise because of its increasing popularity with tourists. If you're on a particularly tight budget, Australia can be a great place to try couchsurfing. Many hosts are eager to show you the ins and outs of their home country.
A Diversity of Choices

Australia has a wide variety of accommodation types which help offset some of the expense. You can easily find hostels, hotels and motels in most destinations if you want to spend very little, in both small towns and large cities. Camping is also a popular option. If you have access to an RV or van then your camping experience might be more comfortable, but more expensive than if you choose to tent camp. It is also possible to do a farm stay or enjoy a working holiday where you work on a local farm to pay for some of your expenses. Another creative alternative is to look into local pubs which often have private rooms available for rent. The price can be reasonable but do expect to get what you pay for. There are very few amazing deals.
Sydney

For obvious reasons Sydney is the most popular city to visit in Australia. It is also one of the most expensive. There are many different accommodation options spread throughout the Sydney. The Harbour area is probably one of the most popular locations. There you will find everything from hostels to five star hotels. Some offer excellent views of the Opera House and all are centrally located near all of the main attractions. This is also one of the most expensive areas to stay in Sydney. If you're looking for something more affordable you'll probably want to look elsewhere. Business travelers in particular will find little reason to stay in this expensive neighborhood. Your money will go a lot farther if you find a place closer to the commercial districts. If you're more interested in being near the beach then there are some great neighborhoods that are worth checking out. These include Manly and Bondi as well as the suburb of Cronulla. All are a little outside of the city center and you will have to use public transportation to travel downtown.

Hostels are spread throughout the city but you'll find a good concentration of them in the southern half of the central business district, Glebe and Kings Cross, as well as some of the eastern suburbs. Many of the mid-range options are concentrated in the central business district, North Sydney, the Inner West and the North Shore. For luxury hotels head to the Rocks district and Darling Harbor.
Cairns

Almost every backpacker in Australia will find themselves in Cairns at some point during their trip. It truly is a backpacker haven and you'll find tons of budget hotels and hostels here. While the supply of accommodation seems endless, they do tend to fill up during the peak season which runs from June to September. Many hotels have wireless internet but some do charge a fee for it. Amenities at various budget hostels include swimming pools, complimentary breakfast (and occasionally dinner), kitchens, laundry service, and entertainment areas. Mid-range and High-end hotels usually offer even better amenities. Many hotels, resorts, and hostels tend to be social settings where guests enjoy interacting and socializing. If you're looking for a more private experience then you should research the particular hotel or guesthouse before arrival.

Mid-range hotels are plentiful as well. Many hotels have access to lovely gardens, refreshing pools, and delicious on site restaurants. If you're looking for even more luxurious, the high end options offer some of the best views, beach access, and resort like settings.