When it comes to travelling to Melbourne, you will never run out of choices. There are always heaps to do, eat and see all year round, your time in the metropolitan city is guaranteed to be an amazing one. But the hip and exciting exploration comes with a cost, and accommodation is the most significant element that could jeopardise your entire trip. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help ensure a memorable stay that without stripping your wallet.
Here’s a list of Melbourne’s best 10 hostels located around the city to suit your needs and help you save extra bucks for more coffee and brunch adventures, shopping, pub crawls, and other hipster experiences.
1. United Backpackers Melbourne
Boasting the award of Best Hostel in Australia and Victoria in 2014, Most Popular Hostel in Melbourne in 2015, and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015, United Backpackers Melbourne is full of personality, quirky spaces and funky decor. Promising only the top-notch services and security, the award-winning hostel offers brand new facilities, and plenty tour activities for a great value of money – starting from as little as $28.00 AUD per person per night.
Located right opposite Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Station, United Backpackers do not only spoil guests with a wide range of attractions, street arts, restaurants, nightlife but also with its very own artsy spaces, funky bar and free cool events throughout the week. The events include Free Tacos and Trivia Night on Tuesdays, Free City Walking Tour and Lost Party Night on Thursdays, and AFL Game at MCG on Saturdays. If exciting new experiences and having a good time with new friends sound like your thing, then look no further because the fun never stops at United Backpackers Melbourne!
Price range: Dorms From AU$28.00 a night, Privates From AU$50.00 a night
Address: 250 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Website: Here
2. Melbourne Central YHA
Located in the heart of Melbourne CBD, Melbourne Central YHA is minutes away from Melbourne’s famous laneways, brunch locations and bars, as well as numerous attractions including Melbourne Aquarium, Federation Square, Crown Casino, Eureka Tower and Southern Cross Station.
Starting from as little as $29.50 AUD a night, the hostel gives its visitors the opportunity to socialise and enjoy the stunning view of Melbourne city at the hostel’s rooftop, communal lounge, bar, BBQ and free Wi-Fi area.
Melbourne Central YHA also offers plenty exciting activities that are updated regularly such as free movie, comedy, wine and cheese nights, Safari Pete travel auctions, and a weekly pub crawl. With helpful 24-hour reception service, consistently positive reviews and most importantly, clean bathrooms, Melbourne Central YHA is definitely a steal and safe choice for both budget and single travellers.
Price range: Dorms From AU$29.50 a night
Address: 562 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Website: Here
3. Home At The Mansion
Voted as the Most Popular Hostel in Melbourne for 3 consecutive years at Hoscars (2012 – 2014), this trendy hostel proves to be a home away from home with its cosy and clean facilities and friendly and helpful staff.
Plenty of cheap eats, cafes and bars are easily accessible. Queen Victoria Market, Lygon Street and Chinatown are also within walking distance of the hostel. Take a stroll at the beautiful Carlton Gardens and Brunswick Street, snap photos at the iconic Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum, and ride the free city circle tram right at your doorstep.
This place is highly recommended for its value for money, starting from $25.00 AUD per person per night. Home At The Mansion facilities and services include free DVD hire, free Wi-Fi and TV in every room, free coffee and tea, and use of playstation and games.
Though they are mostly known for their large sunny courtyard and outdoor cafe bar; their Free Sausage Tuesdays, Free Cheese and Wine Wednesdays, Killer Darts Competition Mondays, and jobs board are also well loved by budget travellers and working holiday guests alike.
Price range: Dorms From AU$25.00 a night / AU$160.00 a week, Privates From AU$80.00 a night
Address: 80 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002
Website: Here
4. Claremont Guesthouse
Claremont Guesthouse charmed its way and won Hostel World guests’ hearts in 2011 boasting the title of Australia’s top 10 hostels with its majestic and beautiful decor yet cosy atmosphere. From as little as $32 AUD a night, you’d get to enjoy exquisite yet comfortable Victorian experience as spaces and rooms are more private in comparison to most guesthouses.
Melbourne’s entertainment and shopping district, Chapel Street is only a stroll away and it is only 7 minutes train ride to Melbourne CBD. It is definitely the most suitable choice for travellers who are after the ultimate shopping experience in town. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, concierge, coffee and tea service, and airport shuttle bus. The district would also spoil you with heaps of meals and entertainment choices any time of the day. Hungry? Bored? We guarantee you won’t have time for neither.
Price range: Privates From AU$32.00 a night
Address: 189 Toorak Road, South Yarra 3141
Website: Here
5. Space Hotel
Space Hotel is the epitome of convenient and affordable accommodation. Located at Russell Street, the hostel is a three minutes walk to the city’s main shopping centres and Melbourne’s little Italy, Lygon Street.
Besides its great location, the hostel also offers great value for money, and variety of rooms with a choice of shared and private bathrooms, which start from $32.00 AUD a night to suit your needs and budgets.
Not only offering guests clean rooms and toilets, it is also within walking distance to Melbourne’s major attractions and eateries including Lygon Street, Queen Victoria Market, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne CBD and shopping district and Chinatown.
Combining convenience, and top-notch facilities including jacuzzi, rooftop with sun loungers and stunning city views, internet cafe, gym and mini cinema; Space Hotel is going all out to pamper.
Price range: Dorms From AU$32.00 a night, Privates From AU$42.50 a night
Address: 380 Russell Street, Melbourne 3000
Website: Here
6. The Nunnery
The Nunnery flaunts its old, beautiful architecture – uniquely blending Melbourne’s 19th century and contemporary charms into an exceptional concept and vacation experience.
The Nunnery proves its value for worth with its clean rooms, cosy lounge, beautiful courtyard, and free breakfast everyday all day! Look out for free Pancakes on Sundays. Other free events and social activities such as free weekly pub crawl, BBQ nights and soup nights would help you save some bucks and meet new friends. Dorms are available for as little as $27.00 AUD per person per night.
Offering an exquisite themed experience for its guests, the friendly staff dressed as Nuns are always happy to help with luggage storage, airport transfer, lockers, and recommendations for the best bars in the suburb.
Located at Melbourne’s famous nightlife laneway, Fitzroy, travellers won’t run out of choices of eating places, cafes, pubs, bars, and life music.
Price range: Dorms From AU$27.00 a night , Privates From AU$52.50 a night
Address: 116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065
Website: Here
7. Habitat HQ
We know $21.00 AUD per person per night sounds too good to be true but rest assured, Habitat HQ’s service and facilities are proven reliable and of high standards and have even won a number of awards and accreditations!
Located in the heart of St Kilda, it is only 15 minutes walk to the beach, and 20 minutes tram ride to the city – though we doubt you’d need to head downtown at all with that amount of food, shopping, beach, bars and pubs around.
Although known for its affordability, Habitat HQ’s biggest selling point is its daily events and social activities that create lots of opportunities for meeting new friends. Habitat HQ wins hearts with free events such as Monday Trivia Night, Wednesday Bar Hop, Thursday Dinner, and Sunday Live Comedy.
The award winning hostel also provides 24-hour security and reception, making it the perfect accommodation for single or lady travellers.
Price range: Dorms From AU$21.00 a night, Privates From AU$39.50 a night
Address: 333 St Kilda Road, St Kilda 3182
Website: Here
8. City Centre Budget Hotel
Conveniently located at Little Collins Street, guests of City Centre Budget Hotel are spoilt for choice when it comes to food, entertainment, and nightlife. Just a short walk away from the free city tram zone, City Centre Budget Hotel will help you make the best of your city exploration.
You’d get to easily enjoy Melbourne’s best attractions, cafes, bars and shopping centres; spending lesser time commuting and more time exploring.
Being a small family run hostel, City Centre Budget Hotel is clean, cosy and comfortable. Equipped with personal TV, fridge and fan, the private rooms are available from $39.00 AUD a night.
Guests also get to enjoy tea and coffee service, and free WiFi in the room, and when it is sunny most love to laze around and enjoy Melbourne’s weather at the rooftop. We say go ahead and join them.
Price range: Privates From AU$39.00 a night
Address: 22 Lt Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Website: Here
9. Tram Stop 14 Backpackers
Embracing Melbourne’s unique transport system, Tram Stop 14 Backpackers is a small privately owned hostel that is known for its helpful service, quaint location and cosy vibes.
This hostel is aptly located in the heart of Fitzroy – a suburb known as home to indie arts, live music, vintage goodies, hip cafes, vibrant pubs and bars, and bohemian culture. This is also the perfect place to experience Melbourne’s various charms firsthand. Visitors to this hostel can be assured of an authentic local experience.
Starting from as little as $27.00 per person per night, rooms at Tram Stop 14 Backpackers are ideal for both short-term and long-term travellers who prefer staying in a smaller and cosy hostels.
While it is ideal for travellers who value private time and privacy, it also provides opportunities for socializing with a communal lounge and terrace.
Price range: Dorms From AU$27.00 a night
Address: 151-153 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3065
Website: Here
10. Base Backpackers St Kilda
It’s easy to see why Base Backpackers St Kilda is a favourite for its location, event activities, and state of art facilities. The hostel location is conveniently located in the heart of St Kilda and is only a 15 minute walk to St Kilda Beach and Luna Park. There is also a variety of international cuisines, pubs and bars, including the famous Carlisle Seafood for possibly the best fish and chips in town!
If walking is not your thing, Base’s very own award winning bar, Red Eye Bar, is a good hang out alternative.
Currently hosting Spring into Shape with Base free program activities, the award winning hostel is ideal for sports lovers. The free events include free yoga on Monday, a football game on Sunday, free fitness class, beach volleyball, weekly runs and more.
Guests at the hostel are also entitled to other hip social events such as free BBQ, trivia, and discounted welcome drinks at the bar upon arrival. From as little as $25.00 AUD per night, guests get to enjoy Base clean, bright and airy rooms, facilities, and activities. If fun and fitness are your thing, you’ll fit right in.
Price range: Dorms From AU$25.00 a night, Privates From AU$40.50 a night
Address: 17 Carlisle Street, St Kilda 3182
Website: Here
Melbourne’s Best Hostels
When it comes to travelling, even the tiniest element could jeopardise your entire trip. Finding a personalised experience specially catered to suit your preferences sure is difficult, but these 10 hostels in Melbourne are a dream come true and will definitely help you save those extra bucks for more cafe adventures.
Share your hostel experience with us in the comments below!