“I would choose YHA Sydney Harbour for a first trip: the evening events happen on a rooftop that faces the harbour from The Rocks. For a beach stay, I recommend Stoke Beach House, where the free yoga classes and the bikes and surfboards on loan, 200 metres from Manly Beach, give everyone something to do together in the morning.”
YHA Sydney Harbour offers a rooftop bar with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, a shared kitchen, and a garden. Located in The Rocks district, it's a 10-minute walk from Wynyard Station and close to major sights. The hostel hosts social events and city tours.
The Little Coogee Hotel offers modern hybrid accommodation in Sydney's Eastern Beachside Suburbs, 800m from Coogee Beach and Clovelly Beach. It features a bar, shared kitchen, garden, and sun terrace. All rooms, including dorms, have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. Free WiFi and private parking are available.
Stoke Beach House, 200 meters from Manly Beach, offers a social experience with a bar, garden, shared kitchen, and free daily breakfast. Enjoy complimentary yoga classes, equipment hire for bikes and surfboards, and various social events including movie nights and city tours. Board games and a pool table are also available.
Mad Monkey Hostel Coogee Beach offers ocean views and direct beach access, seconds from the surf. This social hostel provides dorms and apartment-style rooms, a shared kitchen, and a bar. Enjoy movie nights, board games, and stand-up comedy, surrounded by Coogee's vibrant cafes and restaurants. It's a lively spot for beach lovers and social travelers.
Wake Up! Sydney Central is a social hostel opposite Central Railway Station, offering a lively bar/nightclub, a shared kitchen, and a range of free activities. It features private rooms, mixed dorms, and all-female dorms, located in Sydney's backpacking hub near Chinatown and Darling Harbour.
The Social Hotel, Sydney, offers a rooftop terrace with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Located in Darlinghurst, it features independent rooms and apartments, some with full kitchens or balconies. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and the hotel is a short walk from Kings Cross nightlife and Oxford Street.
The Pacific House in Sydney offers adults-only rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and city views. Guests enjoy a terrace, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi. Additional amenities include a lounge, lift, 24-hour front desk, entertainment staff, shared kitchen, and evening entertainment.
This award-winning hostel in Sydney CBD offers an indoor pool, two shared kitchens, and a rooftop area with city views. Guests can choose between shared dormitory and private rooms, with free WiFi available throughout. It also features an on-site cinema, a bar, a café, and a travel agency.
Mad Monkey Kings Cross offers a social atmosphere with a bar, shared kitchen, and free city tours. Located in the heart of Kings Cross, it's a short walk to Rushcutters Bay Park and close to the train station. Enjoy movie nights, board games, and social events.
Social hostel in a townhouse with a rooftop and BBQ facilities overlooking Rushcutters Bay. It offers a shared kitchen, a bar, and organised social events. Dorms have new bunks and large security lockers. Located in Kings Cross, close to the city's backpacker hub.
Bat and Ball Hostel in Sydney offers comfortable rooms with carpeted floors and free toiletries. Guests can use a shared kitchen, dining area, and wardrobe. The hostel features a sun terrace, bar, games room, lounge, nightclub, and outdoor seating. Free WiFi is available throughout the property, located 7 km from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Mad Monkey East Side is a social hostel in Kings Cross, Sydney, offering a mix of chilled vibes and party atmosphere. It features a bar, garden, shared kitchen, and a TV room. Guests can enjoy movie nights, board games, and city tours. The hostel is within walking distance of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Nate's Place Backpackers Sydney offers adults-only rooms with shared bathrooms, free WiFi, and a sun terrace. It features a shared kitchen, lounge, minimarket, and tour desk. Located near Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, it's a social hub with evening entertainment and city tours.
Summer House Sydney City is a trendy hostel in the heart of Sydney CBD, offering a rooftop terrace with barbecue facilities and a fully equipped common kitchen. It features private and dormitory rooms, each with free sanitized linen and individual lockers. Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, and the central station are all within a 20-minute walk.
Read the events board on the day you arrive: Wake Up! Sydney Central and YHA Sydney Harbour post their free activities and happy hours there.
Join a free city tour on your first morning, such as the one offered by Mad Monkey Kings Cross, to meet people and learn the layout of the city.
Book Stoke Beach House in Manly if you want morning activities: yoga classes, bikes and surfboards are included for guests.
Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly with people from your hostel; an Opal card or a contactless bank card works on board.
Choose an adults-only hostel such as Nate's Place Backpackers Sydney if you want social evenings without a late nightclub crowd.
Bring something to share at rooftop barbecues, such as the one at Mad Monkey Bayswater, since guests usually cook together.
