This article has been provided by YHA Australia, Australia’s largest budget accommodation network. Check out their website for bookings and accommodation reviews.
Don’t just stay at home to binge-watch TV shows and waste your holiday away, get out and see more of Australia with our great deals! Whether it is just a weekend away or a long semester break, there is always somewhere new and fun to explore in Australia. Take advantage of your days/weeks off and make the most of your uni days, tick these trips off your bucket list this year!
Sydney
Whether you’re a local, first-timer or frequent visitor, you can’t deny the magic of Australia’s most famous city and its awesome event-packed calendar. Watch a musical, go to a sports game, visit its many niche museums and go bar-hopping; there is always something fun to do day and night.
Where to stay: Sydney Harbour YHA
Located in The Rocks with a gorgeous rooftop terrace view of Sydney Harbour, this hostel is the perfect place to stay so you can be close to the action without breaking the bank. If you’re lucky, you might get to see the Opera House from your room’s window!
Blue Mountains
One for the nature lovers and adventure seekers, Blue Mountains is only a 2-hour train ride from Sydney, a hot spot for abseiling, canyoning and bushwalking. You can do a short trip to visit the famous Three Sisters rock formation, hike through the mountain trails and challenge yourself with a canyoning adventure, or stay longer to detox from busy city life and connect with nature.
Where to stay: Blue Mountains YHA
Specials available for visiting the historic Jenolan Caves, Scenic World and abseiling/canyoning adventures.
Brisbane
Brisbane is a vibrant city renowned for its outdoor lifestyle. Cruise along the Brisbane River, enjoy city views from Mt Coot-tha, climb the Story Bridge or visit South Bank Parklands and swim in the beach lagoon. Take a day trip to Moreton Island or Stradbroke Island, visit Australia Zoo or watch a football game at the stadiums nearby.
Where to stay: Brisbane City YHA
Located in the heart of the city, Brisbane City YHA has an amazing rooftop pool that overlooks Brisbane’s CBD and the River. So whether you are there to catch a footy game or do lots of shopping, it’s the perfect place to relax after a great day out.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the city of coffee, culture and cool holes in the walls. Choose from high-end cuisine to low brow rock gigs, plays, festivals and blockbuster sporting events, all taking place across a city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture.
Where to stay: Melbourne Metro YHA
Located in North Melbourne, the hostel is only minutes away from the famous Queen Victoria Markets and various attractions. The rooftop terrace also gives you a view that is most certainly Instagram-worthy.
Port Stephens
Gorgeous beaches, lush bushland, stunning bay and sea views and a great chill-out spot – Port Stephens is perfect when you want to get away from the city for a bit without going too far.
Where to stay: Port Stephens YHA
Escape to this YHA hostel set in rainforest gardens – spot a koala from your balcony! The bungalows are nestled in amongst the trees, where you can either chill on the deck or by the pool.
Grampians
The beautiful Grampians National Park is made for city getaways. Get off the beaten track and discover the area’s exciting hiking trails, try rock climbing and abseiling or go for a horse ride.
Where to stay: Grampians Eco YHA
Follow up the fun and fresh air with a warming glass of local wine in front of the wood fire heater at Grampians Eco YHA.
Stradbroke Island
Located east of Brisbane, Stradbroke Island is a natural treasure with kilometres of white sandy beaches, picturesque headlands, inland lakes and an abundance of wildlife. You can enjoy 4WD tours, sand boarding, sea kayaking or the spectacular North Gorge Headlands walk.
Where to stay: Stradbroke Island YHA
Our ocean rafting snorkelling tour includes heading out on our purpose-built NAIAD Rigid inflatable boats across pristine ocean, where you may see manta rays (Nov – April), humpback whales (June – October), pods of dolphins and endangered loggerhead turtles all year round.
Adelaide
With football season coming up, where better to see an AFL match than at Adelaide Oval? The city is frantic for football; and when the game is not on you can spend your time wandering the city to check out markets, museums, and their famous churches.
Where to stay: Adelaide Central YHA
With our convenient location, just a short walk from Adelaide Oval and quality accommodation at budget prices, you’re going to find it hard to look past this offer.
Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln, on the southern tip of the spectacular Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, is an adventure paradise. Whether it’s shark cage diving, swimming with tuna or sea lions or maybe a surf or a swim. Land lovers will find a choice of national parks to explore and there are miles of secluded beaches.
Where to stay: Port Lincoln YHA
It is one of our newest hostels with a mix of multishare and twin/double and family accommodation. Fantastic photo opportunities with indoor replica shark and cage, or go do the real thing with our amazing shark cage diving special!
Pittwater
Located in the north of Sydney, you might not have heard of it but Pittwater is definitely the wildlife haven that is closest to a bustling city. Attractions include kayaking, bushwalking to lookouts and Aboriginal engravings, plus wildlife spotting including native birds, wallabies, possums and goannas.
Where to stay: Pittwater YHA
Getting to the hostel is an experience in itself, as you have to hike uphill for 15 minutes after a scenic ferry ride, The hostel is nestled on the hillside of Morning Bay in Ku-ring-gai National Park, so an abundance of wildlife is present all year round.
YHA Australia is part of the world’s largest backpacker accommodation network, Hostelling International (HI), providing more than 4,000 YHA hostels in 90 countries around the world. Book your backpackers hostel with YHA here.
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