Palace Hostels

I used this hostel for the nights on either side of the Fraser Island trip, which the management arranged too. Having everything organised in one place was super convenient, and the toilets, kitchen, common area and other facilities were all great. I stayed as part of a package, so I can’t say what the nightly rate is, but as long as it isn’t exorbitant, it’s well worth it when you’re exploring Hervey Bays coast line.

I’d stay here again. The staff were good, the amenities were clean, and the couches and chairs were comfy. There’s also a little cinema room, though I didn’t try it. The location is handy, with buses for the Fraser Island tour and Greyhound stopping here. The beach and restaurants are very close, and the Spar is right next door. Free Wi-Fi is a nice extra, although the signal was weak on the second floor. Room details vary: the second-floor 12-bed dorm had no curtains, while the first-floor 6-bed dorm had something to block the morning brightness. There aren’t lockers in the rooms, but there’s free storage and large lockers for rent downstairs. Washers and dryers cost $4 each.

The Fraser tour was amazing, and I’d absolutely recommend it. Our guide knew so much and really made the trip. The hostel itself is basic, but clean, and the staff are so lovely and friendly. It was perfect for a night before and after the tour.

Our guide was on the ball, and the camp setup was great, with a tent that was just right and well equipped. The cars performed really well, and I liked having a manual, but there wasn’t enough room for eight people. The person in the middle at the front had to sit almost on the driver’s lap for stretches of up to two hours while off-roading. That’s rough on a $519 tour. Seven people per car would leave enough room for everyone’s things too. My biggest disappointment was the second night’s dinner. The others got hot dogs and could have a few, while I was told before the tour that vegetarian burgers and “other things” would be available so I wouldn’t go hungry. Instead, my main meal was slices of zucchini in place of sausages. Would veggie sausages have been so hard to provide? This is about the two-day, two-night trip with Palace Adventures and what the tour provided, not the island itself. Fraser Island was beautiful, but Palace can’t take credit for that.