7 best hostels in Gold Coast 2024
Gold Coast is a beautiful city in Queensland, located on the east coast of Australia, just 44 miles from the state capital Brisbane. Known for its long sandy beaches, especially Surfers Paradise, this lovely beach town is a perfect place for anyone looking for water adventures, challenging hiking trails and nature encounter tours.
Whatever the reason for your visit, you'll need a place to stay, and Gold Coast is not short of decent accommodation, especially hotels, and hostels. While Airbnb and hotels in Gold Coast are the more common choice for travelers, especially families, hostels are what you want to look at if you're an adventurous traveler with a budget in mind.
When looking for the best hostels in Gold Coast, there is one that suits every pocket and preference. Choosing a hostel over a hotel can help you save money and still have an enjoyable stay. If you have reduced mobility and want to be close to top attractions, or you don't want to drag your luggage across the city, you should also consider the location of your hostel.
Speaking of location, some of Bounce's top luggage storage partners in Gold Coast are hostels that happen to be right in the city center. And if your hostel is not our partner, don't worry. Bounce has other storage lockers conveniently located all across Gold Coast.
YHA Coolangatta
Among the best hostels in Gold Coast and a Bounce partner, the YHA Coolangatta hostel is ideal for laid-back travelers who appreciate an outdoor pool. Located within a 10-minute walk from the Gold Coast Airport, the Coolangatta YHA is a top pick for backpacker hostels in Gold Coast, one that offers free wifi, free parking, and access to a large dining and BBQ area.
Coolangatta YHA offers rooms that sleep between 1 and 8 people. Their single rooms are popular, so make sure to book yours in advance if you prefer to sleep alone.
What makes YHA Coolangatta unique
Some of the features that make Coolangatta YHA special are the close proximity to Gold Coast popular beaches like North Kira Beach, Bilinga Beach and Tugun. Guests love having access to public areas such as table tennis, the pool table and the outdoor swimming pool. Moreover, the helpful staff at the tour desk can book your water adventure tours, including snorkeling, surfing and whale-watching tours, making your stay even more pleasant.
YHA Coolangatta pricing
Single dorm room pricing at the Coolangatta YHA Gold Coast hostel starts at $55.00 a night, depending on the selected travel date, with the possibility to cancel free of charge. A bed in a 6-bed dorm room starts at $25.00, including taxes and charges.
BUNK Backpackers Surfers Paradise
BUNK Backpackers Hostel Surfers Paradise is within a 4-minute walk from Surfers Paradise Beach, making it one of the best hostels in Gold Coast for beachgoers and surfing lovers. Featuring a hot tub, free breakfast, an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a shared kitchen, laundry and a lounge area, this Surfers Paradise resort is a top pick for everyone who wants to have a good time in Gold Coast without having to break the bank.
What makes BUNK Backpackers Surfers Paradise unique
The most unique features of the BUNK Backpackers Surfers Paradise hostel are the city and landmark views featured in certain rooms. Guests love the proximity to Cavill Avenue, where they can explore the city's clubs, restaurants, bars, shops and cafes. Additionally, guests appreciate the convenience of this popular Gold Coast hostel being just a 30-minute ride from theme parks such as Warner Bros Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild and 12 miles from Gold Coast Airport.
BUNK Backpackers Surfers Paradise pricing
A bunk bed in an 8-bed mixed dormitory room starts at $47.00 a night, just a few dollars less than what you'd pay in a 4-bed dorm room. The BUNK Backpackers Surfers Paradise also offers a private room with a Queen and 2 single bunk beds, ideal for a family of four.
Budds In Surfers Backpackers
One of the most popular hostels in Gold Coast for parties can be found near two of the best beaches in the city, Budds Beach and Surfers Paradise. Located close to top attractions like the Wax Museum and the Home of the Arts and the Skypoint observation deck, the Budds In Backpackers is a lovely resort featuring an outdoor pool with sun loungers, free parking, an on-site bar and free high-speed wi-fi internet across the entire hostel. Guests can also enjoy amenities including a BBQ area, billiard tables and table tennis.
The hostel features mixed or female-only dorm rooms, equipped with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. If you're looking for private rooms with en suite facilities this hostel has you covered. Another bonus? Clean bed linen is also provided.
What makes Budds In Surfers Backpackers unique
Budds in Surfers Backpackers is a party hostel. It's perfect for travelers who want to enjoy the on-site bar, which offers happy hour deals every day from 5 pm - 7 pm and fun evening events for party lovers. Besides being a party hostel, this is the best hostel in Gold Coast for its bike and surfboard hire offerings and excellent deals and discounts on the popular GetWet surf lessons and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding tours.
Budds In Surfers Backpackers pricing
Pricing for a standard 8-bed mixed dorm room is about $44.00 a night, while a standard twin room or a double room with a shared bathroom starts at $146.00 a night. As with most Gold Coast hostels with great prices, this hostel can book up quickly, so make sure to reserve your bed in advance.
Rainbow Bay Backpackers
Located in Coolangatta, near Kirra Beach and only 2.6 miles from Gold Coast airport, is Rainbow Bay Backpackers, the best hostel for Gold Coast backpackers. If you're looking for accommodation with resort-level amenities but with hostel prices, this is the right place.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and free wifi and some even have a terrace. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast on-site, an outdoor pool and laundry facilities. Families can take advantage of the water slides, ideal for entertaining children, and hot tubs and saunas for the parents to wind down at night.
What makes Rainbow Bay Backpackers unique
Like most good Gold Coast hostels, Rainbow Bay Backpackers is a budget-friendly accommodation with all the amenities necessary for a good stay. Other than that, it's one of the best hostels in Gold Coast for water adventurers as it's close to a beach and scuba-diving. The friendly staff, the rooftop area and the excellent cleanliness reviews set the standard for a hostel pretty high.
Rainbow Bay Backpackers pricing
A bunk bed in an 8-bed mixed dorm room starts at $37.00 a night, while the lowest nightly price for 1 bed in 4 bed mixed dorm room is around $23.00 depending on the selected date of travel.
Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise
More than just a place to spend the night, this hip hostel offers everything you need to make you feel at home. From air-conditioned rooms and free wifi to the friendly staff and free breakfast, the Tequila Sunrise Hostel is one of the best hostels in Gold Coast for travelers from all around the world.
Being so close to one of Gold Coast's most popular destinations, Surfers Paradise, puts this industrial-chic hostel on top of all backpackers' lists. It may not be the cheapest hostel Surfers Paradise has to offer, but it's worth every penny if you want peace and comfort in a hostel environment.
What makes Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise unique
There are many reasons this hostel is one of the best in Gold Coast. First, guests in Tequila Sunrise Hostel can spend the night singing karaoke in the shared lounge; second, all rooms are equipped with a terrace with a city view, third there is a penalty for excessive noise, and last but not least, all guests can enjoy continental or a buffet breakfast in the on-site restaurant.
Tequila Sunrise Hostel Surfers Paradise pricing
The lowest nightly prices for a capsule bed in the mixed dorm room are $54.00 per night. Despite its higher prices, this hostel is the backpacker's favorite, and it's busy in high season. Make sure to book your pod in advance.
Aussie Dream Hostel Surfers Paradise
Hostels in Gold Coast are not tough to find. You just have to find the one that is right for you. The Aussie Dream Hostel is a recently renovated hostel, located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, within a few minutes walk of the Surfers Paradise Beachfront markets. This lovely hostel provides guests with budget accommodation without having to sacrifice comfort.
The hostel has all the necessary amenities and facilities backpackers appreciate including a swimming pool and clean towels, access to public areas such as self-catering kitchen, large outdoor area, hot showers, laundry and many more enough to keep guests happy. All rooms and beds are built for comfort, and if you want a little privacy, the beds have their own curtains, including lights and plug sockets.
What makes Aussie Dream Hostel unique
There are many reasons the hostel sets itself apart from other hostels in Gold Coast, including the movie theatre rooms with Netflix, free breakfast and coffee, 2 free dinners each week and cheap tour deals.
Aussie Dream Hostel pricing
Pricing for a deluxe 4-bed mixed dorm starts at around $19.00 a night, while a queen/triple room will cost you approximately $65.00 per night.
Maxmee Backpackers Resort
If you're considering a laid-back hotel in the center of everything, this is the right place. Maxmee Backpackers Resort Surfers Paradise is within a stone's throw from the Q1 skyscraper and the Sea World. It's the perfect hostel for the younger crowd looking to explore all of Gold Coast on a budget.
They offer no more than any other hostel in Surfers Paradise but enough for everyone to enjoy their stay. The rooms are single-sex or mixed, but all are air-conditioned or equipped with ceiling fans. There is free wifi across the hostel, making this place a perfect digital nomad spot. Some of the accommodations, like the 2-bedroom apartments, have their own kitchen, a TV, a balcony, a dining room, or a living room.
Guests can entertain themselves at the bar, by the swimming pool, or break a sweat at the tennis court. Want to socialize? The hostel features a shared recreation room with board games and a TV for everyone who wants to mingle.
What makes Maxmee Backpackers Resort unique
Its close proximity to fun such as cafes, restaurants, theme parks, landmarks and shopping malls like the Pacific Fair, makes the Maxmee Backpackers one of the best hostels in Gold Coast for sightseeing, culinary adventures and shopping sprees.
Maxmee Backpackers Resort pricing
Maxmee Backpackers Resort offers a variety of rooms. Relax for the night in comfort starting at approximately $34.00 for a bed in an 8-bed mixed room.
The best backpacker hostels in Gold Coast for an enjoyable stay
A trip to Australia doesn't have to break the bank if you know where to go, what to do and where to stay. Speaking of which, there are other accommodation options to explore than hotels in Gold Coast. Hostels, on the other hand, are an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers and the younger crowd who wants to meet people from around the world. The best Gold Coast backpacker hostels offer everything you need for an enjoyable stay, from free breakfast and free parking to hot tubs and a 24-hour front desk. Contrary to popular opinion, the best hostels offer almost everything a hotel does, minus the expensive prices.
Are you planning a trip to Gold Coast? It should help to know the best time to book to make the most of your stay and save money. Our guide on free things to do in Gold Coast will give you all the information you need. And if you're not sure what to do with your time in Gold Coast, check our unmissable things to do at night guide for the full scoop.
