YHA Newcastle Beach

Newcastle's peaceful beaches and the location are hard to beat, and the hostel is a lovely old mansion with very helpful staff. My bed in the 10-person dorm was the problem: it was a top bunk, the mattress was too short, and the bed felt close to collapsing when I climbed up. I'm a moderate 85 legs, so it really shouldn't have felt that way.

We picked YHA Newcastle for a few nights on our east coast trip, and it turned out to be a perfect second stop. It's a friendly, homey hostel, with spacious rooms and showers nearby. The kitchen is large, fully equipped, has plenty of room for everyone's things, and was cleaned each morning. We only discovered later that there are more showers upstairs, since downstairs has just one toilet and two showers. Arriving late was easy even though reception isn't open 24 hours, and the hostel is small enough that we found our room without trouble. The male receptionists were especially kind, helping sort out a payment issue from our external booking and showing us the washer and dryer. They know the local things to do and are happy to help. There was even a free BBQ on our last night, and they let guests keep using the facilities after checkout, which is great for backpackers. We couldn't recommend it more if you're after a low-key, welcoming place. YHA Newcastle Beach is a great pick.

I left Sydney for Christmas and stayed at YHA Newcastle Beach. The bathrooms were impeccably clean, the rooms were lovely, and the staff were genuinely kind. Damian let me check in a little early, and the whole crew made the Christmas Eve potluck delicious and fun. I also joined a volleyball game with other hostellers, and my hands are still recovering! It was a beautiful stay, and I'll definitely be back. A total no-brainer.

The hostel is a minute's walk from the beach, and it quickly feels like home, much like the city around it. After meeting the wonderful Cata at reception, I felt more welcomed than at any other travellers' den I've seen. I wasn't in the hostel the whole time, of course, but I watched a two-day trip turn into a year in town. The first experience and the lifestyle YHA and its incredible staff gave me were a big part of why my plans changed. There's no better place to lay your head while you discover and fall in love with Newy.