Best Gold Coast hostels

1. Bunk Backpackers, Surfers Paradise

The social one. Heart of Surfers Paradise, close to the beach, the shops, and the nightlife that earns the suburb its name.

Dorms in 4-bed, 6-bed, 8-bed and 10-bed rooms, plus private rooms. Wi-Fi, air conditioning, lockers and linen. There is a pool, a bar, a kitchen, laundry, and a tour desk. Reception is open around the clock. Buses and the tram are close if you want Burleigh or Coolangatta for a day.

Guests come for the atmosphere, and they usually like the staff. Cleanliness is the mixed part: some stays are fine, some are not. Look at recent reviews before a long booking. Bunk Backpackers.

2. Budds in Surfers

A good pool, and a cleaner reputation than the party hostels. Still a short walk from the beach, the bars and the shops.

Mixed dorms, female-only dorms and private rooms. Wi-Fi, air conditioning, lockers and linen. Breakfast is included with most stays, which is the practical bonus. Pool, bar, kitchen, laundry and a free shuttle. Reception is 24 hours.

The mood is laid-back rather than a nightclub with bunks. Cleanliness and the staff are what the reviews repeat. Budds in Surfers.

3. Tequila Sunrise, Surfers Paradise

Friendly staff, and meals included. It is at 3/3298 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, in the middle of the strip.

This one is a pod hostel now: capsule-style beds rather than a plain open dorm, plus private rooms. Breakfast and an evening meal are included. Wi-Fi, air conditioning, lockers and linen. There is a kitchen and laundry if you still want to cook. Reception is 24 hours, and they run events.

People mention the staff and the facilities more than the party. It is still social. Tequila Sunrise Surfers Paradise.

4. YHA Coolangatta

The quiet option, for people who came to surf. It is at 230 Coolangatta Road, Bilinga, a short walk from Coolangatta Beach and about 500 metres from Gold Coast Airport.

Multi-share dorms and private rooms. Some rooms look toward the ocean. Wi-Fi, lockers and linen. Pool, kitchen, laundry, a games room and bike hire. Kirra and Snapper Rocks are the point of staying this far south. A bus runs into Surfers Paradise when you want the noise.

Reception is staffed in the morning and from mid-afternoon into the evening. After 10pm you arrange your own check-in, so do not assume a 24-hour desk. The atmosphere is the opposite of Bunk: laid-back, clean, and easy to meet people who are here for the water. YHA Coolangatta. Coolangatta, Kirra and Snapper Rocks are on the list of the best beaches.

5. Surf Inn Boutique Backpackers

Back in Surfers Paradise, among the party spots, with a pool.

Mixed and single-sex dorms, and private rooms with an ensuite or a shared bathroom. Linen is included and housekeeping is regular. Kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, a 24-hour desk, a tour desk, airport transfers and bike hire.

Facilities and staff get the praise. The complaints are cramped dorms in peak season, and Wi-Fi that can be slow in some rooms. Surf Inn.

Questions about Gold Coast hostels

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