McLaren Vale Backpackers

I came planning to stay three weeks, then landed a job in a winery and stayed for four months. It’s a great hostel for making friends and finding work in the region. The downside is having to pay for internet. Apart from that, I’d highly recommend staying here. Cheers, Simon

For what they charge, this is a pretty poor hostel. It feels overbooked, the kitchen is constantly dirty and far too small, and there aren’t enough fridges. The worst thing is how staff take advantage of people. They promise work, get you to come to the hostel quickly to secure a place, then you can end up waiting six weeks. They blame the problem on someone else and tell you to wait another week, and so on. The fix seems simple: ask people to come only when farmers are actually looking for workers, instead of bringing them in because work might start sometime in the next six weeks.

We planned to stay just a few weeks and ended up here for a few months. It’s a great refurbished backpacker hostel, with a relaxed, friendly home-away-from-home feel where all kinds of travelers are welcome. The staff are welcoming and helpful, and will explain what you need to know about local jobs and activities. Can’t recommend it enough, we had an excellent stay!

The kitchen was a mess throughout my stay. A cleaner wiped down surfaces and vacuumed, but the sinks stayed full of dishes and rotten food was left around. The backpackers I met were nice, but that was where the good experience ended. I arrived expecting vineyard work to begin on January 24, then checked in and looked into it, only to find the promise wasn't true. The reception was rarely open, and staff were seriously lacking in people skills. Everyone I spoke with had the same complaint about false promises. If they'd been honest about vintage season, I might have respected them, but it felt like they were saying anything to fill beds at a hostel that's lost its touch. The vans they provide seem like death traps, with hanging lights, failing brakes, and doors coming off. You're better off staying put unless you're keen to pick strawberries at a nearby farm that seems set up for exploitation. I expect the manager will say this is all lies, but contact anyone at the hostel if you want an honest opinion.