Best Hostels in New Zealand and Australia

Very useful list, thanks!

The YHA in Merimbula is really good. There is anoher one in Bega which is not that good and then if you are thinking about skiing the one in Thredbo is really well located and nice. The YHA in Canberra is really nice as well (there is a sauna and a pub).

Yes, the Merimbula YHA is nice, but it is not outstanding in any way. I've stayed there a few times, but mostly because I like Merimbula and there are no other hostels there.

The Bega hostel is acceptable but could be improved a lot with a clean up and new management. I wouldn't choose to stay there and would rather drive a bit further and stay at Bega or Merimbula.

The Canberra YHA does have good facilities (swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, bar, etc.) and a very central location. The problem is that it is too much like Canberra - clean, modern and well maintained, but also dull, characterless and institutional. Also the TVs in the dorms kills the atmosphere even more. That said, I'll usually stay there whenever I am in Canberra, which is usually at least once a year.

Within the big cities, i didn't like the YHA in Sydney, rather stay at Wake Up or Base. Wake Up is nice, but the rooms weren't perfect and base was good. I got a great reception at Wake Up (sometimes being a huge hostel doesn't matter as long as the receptionist takes his time to (and is allow to) talk to people)....

I've stayed at the Sydney Central YHA in Sydney a few times, but I prefer Wake Up!. However my favourite in Sydney is BIG.

The problem is that the southern part of the city centre (around Central Station) has most of the hostels (including two YHAs, BIG and Wake Up!), but most attractions are around the northern end of the city centre (around Circular Quay). At the moment Base has the best location, but when YHA's new hostel in the Rocks opens, all that will change.

Melbourne, if u wanna have fun, Base is the place, great things going on, but i have heard it is quite noisy if u are just after a rest. St.Kilda is the area to stay and St.Kilda Beach house is another place which i liked. No common areas (or if there were really bad advertised) but beautiful rooms....best ones in australia for me. Home travellers is a place for those who are on a working holiday visa over there....nice place, but if u are there for 2 nights, everybody will look funny at you as they are all friends from weeks and you are the new kid in town.....

I would rather stay in the city centre than St Kilda, although St Kilda does have some good options. My favourite is Olembia, but Base, Cooee and St Kilda Beach House are all top quality hostels in this area.