Sydney Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation

Related posts:

8 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Melbourne

My Favorite Moments in Sydney

Melbourne Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation


Sydney Central YHA has got to be one of the coolest hostels. I booked my four night stay in this hostel and its Melbourne counterpart, Melbourne Central YHA, at the same time...  and both hostels didn't fail me. While Melbourne Central YHA is cleaner because it is newer (don't get me wrong because Sydney Central YHA is also clean), this one is full of energy and can really make you feel the youthful hostel vibe. 

After entering this facade and registering in this reception area...

 

... here are the things you can expect to enjoy:

Movie Room - I was amazed with the size of this hostel's movie room. It was really spacious and even has bean bags for a cozy movie experience. This is located in the "Socials" floor which I will be featuring next.

"Socials" (Internet, Restaurant, Movie, Gaming, etc.) floor - Aside from housing the above-featured movie room, this floor also has computer terminals, laptop tables, chairs and sofas, billiards, foosball, books and a restaurant. Great chance to mingle with fellow travellers!

 

TV Rooms per floor - If you prefer to watch tv shows and movies near your room, each floor has its own TV room. As seen in the picture, the room is spacious and has lots of comfy sofas.

In-house Travel Consultants - If you weren't able to plan much prior to your trip to Sydney, no need to worry because the hostel has lots of travel brochures and even has an in-house travel agency where you can book tours to Blue Mountain, etc.

Rooftop -  Feel like taking a dip? No need to go out because you can do it at the rooftop and enjoy view of the city. 

Clean Toilet and Bath - Although the toilets are not as new as Melbourne Central YHA's, they are still clean and regularly maintained.

Dorm Rooms with Personal Lockers, Reading Lamp and Electric Outlet - No explanations needed but it is worth noting that they are clean (not all hostels are).

Hallways - Just a glimpse... you might actually think it's a hotel!

With clean facilities, cool amenities, and a central location... Sydney Central YHA is highly recommended! After all, it is not a three-time winner (and Hall of Fame entrant) of the Australian Tourism Awards (2008, 2009, 2010) for nothing. 

If you decide to stay here, here are some useful information:

Beds, Rooms, and Prices (as of 07Aug2011)

6 Share Female	from $36.00 to $49.00 per bed
6 Share Male	from $36.00 to $49.00 per bed
4 Share Female	from $37.00 to $50.00 per bed
4 Share Male	from $37.00 to $50.00 per bed
Double Private Bathroom	from $108.00 to $134.00 per room

Getting from Sydney Airport to Sydney Central YHA 

 Train:  

• The train runs from under the airport to Central Station, across the road from the hostel 
• Cost:  $15.00 (from Domestic Terminal)  $15.60 (from International Terminal)   
• Time: 15 minutes to Central Station 

 Taxi:  

• Taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals hall
• Cost: $25-$40 depending on traffic
• Time: 20-30 minutes depending on traffic 

 Shuttle Bus: 

• Shuttle buses need to be pre-booked at  www.kst.com.au. 
• Cost: $12.60
• Time: 30-45 minutes depending on traffic 

Getting from Central Station to Sydney Central YHA 

 Trains: Exit onto Eddy Ave, turn left, Sydney Central YHA is across Pitt St 

 Buses: Long distance buses drop off at Eddy Ave, Sydney Central YHA is across Pitt St 

Location Map

Melbourne Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation

Related posts:
8 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Melbourne
My Favorite Moments in Sydney
Sydney Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation


Accommodations in Australia are relatively expensive compared to other countries. Since I was alone when I went to Melbourne, I decided to try sleeping in a hostel for the first time... I didn't regret it. Melbourne Central YHA (Youth Hostel Association) was a great choice. It was relatively new, the bathrooms were clean, and the facilities were great. Since then, I realized that staying in a hostel isn't a bad idea at all... I even miss the experience once in awhile. Here are what you can expect:

Reception - Get greeted at their cozy reception area by people who are young and energetic. The area has comfortable sofas, travel brochures, and an in-house travel agent. You can go to Australia without any ideas of where to go but still end up with a good itinerary with the help of their in-house travel agent.

Rooftop - This was a sweet surprise as it had cozy seats and convenient toilets (no need to go down should the need arise). Perfect place to lounge around. If I'm not mistaken, there are rooftop rooms which you can book. Suggestion: Buy food and drinks from the supermarket/grocery and enjoy the rooftop experience.

Internet Terminals and TV Area - Watching movies or tv is free. While the internet/computer terminals have a fee (relatively expensive), at least you won't get "disconnected" if you don't have a laptop or mobile internet gadget with you.

Barbeque / Smoking / Lounge Around Area - If you don't want to lounge around at the rooftop, this one which is located at the same level as the reception is a good alternative. The "receptionists"/hotel attendants usually hang out here so this a great place to get to know them as well as mingle with other guests. 

Hallways - Modern feel and will make you feel like you're staying in a hotel instead of a hostel.

Toilet - One of the cleanest, if not the cleanest, among all the hostels I've been to. I can guarantee that they are regularly maintained. 

Private shower room with personal changing area

 

Relatively clean toilet bowls and lavatories

Rooms - You have the option of choosing among: 6 share male, 4 share female, 3 share male, Twin, or Double Private Bathroom (as of Jul2011). During my time, I stayed in a 4 share male which seems to have been removed from the choices already. Expect personal power outlet, personal bed light, and personal lockers. Try to know your roommates, they're usually friendly. 

 

Location - Location has got to be one of the best selling points of the hostel. There's a tram stop in front of the hostel (also a stop of the City Circle Tram - a service that allows you to visit Melbourne's major tourist spots for FREE). It is also walking distance from the Southern Cross Station which is both a drop off (you can also have yourself dropped near Melbourne Central YHA itself) and pickup point for Melbourne's Skybus - an affordable bus service to and from the Melbourne airport. 

A hotel across the block where Melbourne Central YHA is (serves as a good landmark)

Facade of the entrance along Flinders St. - look for this spot across the tram stop

 

Location Map courtesy of Google Maps

Recommendation - Because of a good first hostel experience here (at a very good price of AUD35/night), I ended up booking hostels for some of my succeeding trips. If you want to save when travelling to Melbourne, I highly suggest you consider staying here. NOT ALL HOSTELS ARE CREATED EQUAL... Melbourne Central YHA is one of the best!

If you're keen on staying here, below are important information which you may want to take note of:

Address: 562 Flinders St. Melbourne 3000

Reception Hours: 24 Hours

Arrival Time: Check in from midday, check out at 10am.

How to go:

Bus - The hostel is located 1 kilometre to Southern Cross Station and Skybus Terminal.

Train - The backpackers hostel is located 1 kilometre to Southern Cross Station.

Nearest Airport - The backpackers hostel is located 28 kilometres to Melbourne Airport. Skybus operates 24 hours from Southern Cross Station and picks up at the hostel.

The entrance to Melbourne Central YHA Backpackers hostel is to the right hand side of Bertha Brown's bar. Take the lift or stairs up to reception on level one.

My Favorite Moments in Sydney (Manly Island, Ferry to Manly Island, Hanging Around the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Bridge, Featherdale, Bondi Beach, Sydney Fish Market, St. Mary's Cathedral, Boomerang Throwing)

Related posts:

8 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Melbourne

Sydney Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation

Melbourne Central YHA Hostel Review and Recommendation


Because I wanted to know what else Sydney has to offer aside from the Opera House, I booked a return flight from Melbourne to Sydney via Jetstar (AUD154 or PHP6.7k). Prior to my trip to Sydney, I felt that the Opera House was overrated. However, I ended up taking lots of shots of it and with it. It appears that it does deserve the attention it gets. Overall, the trip to Sydney was memorable that's why I'd love to share my favorite moments during my 5 days and 4 nights (09Dec09-13Dec09) stay:


1. Manly Island - Although the sand in Bondi Beach was finer and cleaner, I liked the vibe and feel of Manly Beach more. I can sense a tighter community spirit and can feel that everyone was having so much fun. I guess it had to do with the beach being in an island instead of in the city. 

2. Ferry to Manly Island - I was so lucky that the weather was just so perfect when I went to Sydney. The sky was so clear - something which is said to be a rare occurrence in Sydney. The view to and from Manly Island via ferry was very relaxing and swanky. 

3. Hanging around the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge - Just when I thought the opera house was overrated, I found myself taking so many shots of this landmark. I just can't help but take photos from every angle . On my first night, I ended up buying Angus Burger from McDonalds but eating it on a bench beside the Opera House.... the moment was priceless. If you're lucky, you can also get up close with cruise ships that are docked in the Sydney Harbor. I was a bit luckier because I got the chance to have a chat with a European couple who was aboard the cruise ship.

 

4. Featherdale Wildlife Park - If you just want to see Australia's most talked about animals (e.g, Koala, Penguin, Kangaroo, etc.), you don't have to go to other animal parks aside from Featherdale Wildlife Park. The trip to Featherdale was just included in my Blue Mountains Tour which costed AUD142.80 or PHP6.2k. 

 

 

5. Bondi Beach - Bondi Beach wasn't so busy when I went there but I enjoyed my experience nonetheless. The sand was fine and clear, and the water was a bit cold. What I like about Bondi is that it has very secured lockers (equipped with security cameras) which will make you feel at ease even if you leave valuables inside... just like what I did. 

 

 

6. Sydney Fish Market - It was a bit challenging to go to the Sydney Fish Market as it was several blocks of walk from the Sydney Explorer stop. However, the site of large King Crabs and Lobsters, and the opportunity to have them freshly cooked makes the effort worth it. This is also where you can get the famous Doyle's Fish and Chips at a significantly cheaper price. 

7. St. Mary's Cathedral - If only there was a word stronger than "love", that is what I'll use to describe my feeling for this church. It was just so beautiful inside that I'd want to have my wedding here if I could afford it. Unfortunately, taking photos is not allowed inside and I didn't want to take a risk and do illegal stuff while inside Australia given my experience with their immigration.

8. Boomerang Throwing - Throwing a boomerang isn't as easy as I thought it would be. It appears that there's a specific angle and wind direction. You should definitely try learning this if you get the chance to visit Australia.