Brisbane

Brisbane aka Brisvagas, the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third city, to bigger siblings Sydney and Melbourne. Why should you visit? Well, in the past decade the city of Brisbane has probably undergone more development than any other Australian city and so it’s beautiful and arty and a pretty cool place to stay.

What to expect from Brisbane hostels… well that distinctly laid-back Aussie vibe, with a healthy dose of sociable thrown into the mix. Brisbane’s hostels are spread throughout the city, but most tend to follow the huge Brisbane River. There are hostels with rooftop terraces and fantastic city views, why not have your free breakfast up there! Many backpackers hostels in Brisbane have communal kitchens so great for those on a tight budget. You’ll find pool tables for mingling or colonial style buildings with verandas. With a mixture of private rooms and dorms, make sure to pick the right option for you. You can't go wrong with the best hostels in Brisbane!

You’ll find Brisbane hostels scattered around the inner and outer parts of the city, as well as a few options a bit further out. Since Brisbane has good public transport, getting around the city is made easy. If you’re looking to be closer to the nightlife then pick a hostel near Caxton Street, you’ll also be close to Suncorp stadium, so if you fancy catching a game of footie (very Aussie) you’re in the right place. This area is a bar crawl hotspot, so get your drinking boots on. The West End is a great area to base yourself if you’re after a more gentrified experience, with vintage shops and quirky cafes on your doorstep. Bayside is where you’ll find charm and your architecture fix.

A lot of backpackers fly into Brisbane and take day trips to one of the theme parks along the coast. Hop on a train, and in under two hours, you’ll find yourself in the amusement park capital of Australia. Along the South Bank, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice of things to do, including the Wheel of Brisbane, Epicurious Garden, Nepalese Pagoda and the Arbour. For the space enthusiasts out there, not far from the city you’ll find the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Check out The Barracks for shopping and eating, it’s pretty special as it was once a police station, prison and army barracks.