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Backpackers by the Bay

12 Hermitage Dr, Airlie Beach, Queensland 4802 Australia
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Traveller (76)
Pool & Beach (10)
Room & Suite (7)

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About

#4 of 10 hostels in Airlie Beach
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Located 400 metres from the main street, on the top of a small hill, Backpackers By The Bay has awesome ocean views and offers a very social, warm and relaxed atmosphere. Accommodation is available in four share rooms, one 8 share and doubles. Linen is provided and all rooms are serviced daily. Airconditioning is included during the warmer months (mid Sept to mid May) The hostel has a saltwater swimming pool which is surrounded by hammocks, sun-lounges and palm trees as well as a huge sunbaking deck. A fully equipped kitchen with crockery, cutlery and utensils is provided, as is a laundry. The games room has internet access and pool table. Each night, during 'happy hour' the staff hold social activities to help guests meet each other - these include: *Team trivia competitions with the winners receiving a bottle of champagne. * Wii Sports competitions including Bowling, Tennis, Golf, Baseball and Boxing * Killer Pool comps After all the fun and games, relax and watch a movie on the ONLY outdoor cinema in Airlie Beach (Sunday and Tuesday nights) With the best local knowledge of all the tours in the Whitsundays we can help you choose the best trip for your needs. By the Bay is not affiliated with any tour opperators so we don't force any boat on you. We give you all the info and let YOU pick. We also offer a free nights accommodation and free luggage storage with every overnight sailing tour booked with us The friendly and helpful staff look forward to meeting you! *FREE Courtesy bus service meeting all coaches(between 7am-7:30pm). *FREE Tea and Coffee *FREE Wii Sports game *FREE quiz for a bottle of champagne every night! *FREE hammocks, sunlounges and BBQ use *FREE accommodation and storage (with every overnight trip booked) *FREE linen supplied to all beds *FREE unbiased tour advice- often at standby or discounted prices *FREE Fully equipped kitchen - all cutlery, crockery, pots and pans provided at no charge!!! *FREE Off street parking *FREE WiFi available, two hours on arrival ($4 per 24 hour login logout) *Laundry room with washers, dryer, ironing board and iron *Lounge/TV room with wet weather movie days organized *All rooms serviced daily *Lending library *Safe and secure 24 hour access
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Game room
BBQ facilities
Picnic area
Laundry service
Parking
Wifi
Paid wifi
Outdoor pool
Shared bathroom
Sun terrace
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Safe
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, French
512Reviews1Q+A18Room tips

Reviews
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ryangmoore wrote a review Feb 2023
Bromley, United Kingdom12 contributions2 helpful votes
Very dirty hostel with poor facilities. Bedding was brown and there was a lack of cleanliness in all areas - kitchen, bathroom and dorms. The location of the hostel is slightly out the way from the main town, and isn’t great for socialising with other travellers. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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B T wrote a review Oct 2022
London, United Kingdom1216 contributions236 helpful votes
Thought the place was fine, room was a decent size to share with 4 people, clean enough. They had good facilities, a big kitchen and common area, pool table, laundry and outside pool. Location was good not far from the centre of Airlie Beach. Couldn't control the aircon so was freezing at night.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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lauren wrote a review Nov 2021
4 contributions
I only stopped by the hostel visiting a friend and decided to stay a night and stayed a few more! the decor in the hostel is so cute it is very homely, and the owners are the sweetest and so accommodating and helpful! They also help book tours will allow you to keep your car there and offer a free night if you book with them! Amazing vibes and energy here.
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Date of stay: November 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Ben wrote a review June 2021
Split, Croatia3 contributions
I arrived in Airlie Beach at the start of November, expecting to just stay for a few weeks to earn some money and finish my trip up to Cairns. After a week I started to settle in and feel comfortable with a great group of people around. My stay ended up lasting until the end of January before I went back down south. After living in the hostel for a while I really started to appreciate it more and more. Getting to know Peter, the owner, I could really tell he has taken such good care of the hostel and its operations for a long time. Not only with setting such a fair price, but with how he treats the guests and his staff too. We had many interesting and reflective conversations which made me learn a lot along the way. The hostel is routinely cleaned thoroughly by the friendly and hospitable long term staff. As I have heard from many locals who have stayed throughout the years, the hostel has been maintained so well and been the same amazing place since it opened some 25 odd years ago. I have since returned twice and can't wait for my next stay. Along my journey I am always directing those headed to Airlie to this amazing hostel. I would highly recommend a visit if you haven't been and will be stopping through Airlie. I could write a lot more about this hostel but I will leave the rest for you to find out yourself.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Location
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Danielle B wrote a review Dec 2020
2 contributions2 helpful votes
I stayed at this hostel while passing through Airlie Beach and I absolutely loved it. I intended to only stay one night but ended up staying three because of the great atmosphere and quality and comfort of the rooms. Peter, the owner, made me feel very at home and even recommended other places to stay along the way down the east coast. I’ve stayed in many hostels before and was very impressed by this one!
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Raymond W wrote a review Nov 2020
3 contributions1 helpful vote
Alright, it's not the fanciest place, but it's full of heart. It's not like the big companies, it's run by onsite owners who are super lovely and care about travellers and that they enjoy their trip abroad. It has a relaxed and communal atmosphere and it's close to town. I've stayed at the other two hostels in Airlie and this one is my favourite
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Cerys R wrote a review Sept 2020
4 contributions1 helpful vote
One of the worst Hostels I've seen in years of travelling. Dirty, dingy and smelly. The place needs a massive revamp but the owner is to tight to even wash bedding after every guest. There are signs on the doors of rooms asking guests not to bring their duvets covers to be washed when they are checking out. The kitchens and bathrooms are tiny and DIRTY 3 cubicles for an entire wing of private and shared rooms. Couldn't cook my food in the kitchen if I wanted to as there was no space to breathe. The owner was rude and confrontational and asked me to leave to hostel (he did offer a refund) when questioned about why the bed covers weren't washed after every guest especially during a pandemic. For $55 dollars a night I do not expect the ritz, however a clean bed that hasn't been slept in by a previous guest is standard practice and offered by every hostel I've stayed in previously. Honestly guys spend your money at nomads or the yha and have a much better experience.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from CAROLYN Upton, Owner at Backpackers by the Bay
Responded 9 Oct 2020
The review option on booking sites such as this are a wonderful tool that can be helpful and informative. However it is a system that can be misused, with information provided in such a way as to portray a situation that is not entirely correct or factual, as appears to be the case here. Freshly laundered linen is provided for each and every guest. No bed is ever provided to a guest, under any circumstances, without the linen being replaced with fresh linen. This was never in doubt and was not the focus of the interaction you had with the owner. The discussion you had with Peter was with reference to the heavy doona and the throw pillows that are used to decorate the bed. It is true to say that these are not laundered after each guest. Instead there is a house-keeping system in place by which these are inspected and spot cleaned between guests and scheduled for laundering on a regular basis. You made it clear that you felt this was not acceptable, so without hesitation or prompting, Peter offered you an immediate refund for the night’s accommodation and suggested other types of accommodation locally that may better suit your requirements. Your review makes a couple of assertions that you didn't mention during your conversation with Peter (and are surprising given the short period of time you spent at the property). The kitchen and bathrooms are cleaned a minimum of 5 times per day and a cleaning schedule signed by the relevant staff is provided in plain sight at both locations to show this. The size and ratio of guests to facilities meet all government guidelines and as other reviews show, are well-above average. It is obvious you are very upset and that you and your travelling companion have taken to multiple websites to leave a poor review of Peter and of our hostel. As a review such as this can have devastating affects on a small business, I urge potential guests to read reviews from the many other guests we have had the pleasure of hosting, in the hope of gaining a more balanced version of our property
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Voyage752492 wrote a review Sept 2020
17 contributions7 helpful votes
Please stay well clear of this hostel I had the most rude encounter with the owner after trying to address the terrible cleaning standards of this hostel. I have stayed in many a hostel all over the world this is by far the worst easily. We arrived around 3.30pm no reception staff to check us in as they only work a couple of hours a day - fellow backpacker earning her stay - not a problem we waited. First encounter with Peter was when he rudely approached us to tell us to move our car as we were unpacking as he had to move his car bearing in mind he reversed off no problem, we were in no way blocking his entrance. We then opened the door to our double room. Straight away I noticed there were these red pillows on the bed which were turning a grey colour they were so dirty so I took them off and looked at the bed further. The duvet was dirty so I pulled it off to realise the flat sheet and bottom sheet was also dirty. They had been slept in and not changed! I asked the receptionist for new covers which she kindly got for me and I went to speak to the owner. I was not in any way rude or confrontational but explained how disappointed I was at the hygiene here. He told me very rudely that he would never ask his staff to change the duvets everytime after use only when they are stained or have a smell but not to worry and the flat sheet are meant to be washed after every guest. He then proceeded to tell me that it's how the Aussies do it in hostels here. Wrong in all the hostels I've stayed in so far they just use a flat sheet and a fleece throw which all gets washed. That he couldn't meet my standards (of just wanting a clean bed) and that he will give me a refund and would like me to leave. There are signs on the doors which ask you to remove sheets but leave duvet on. I do not expect much from hostels but a clean bed is one of them. The rest of the hostel is very worn down it looks like it was perviously a care home for the elderly which has just been run down to the ground. Airlie is beautiful do not waste your experience here! I wish I had taken some photos to include, but I was just so taken a back by peters awful response completely shocked he knows the hostel is dirty and run poorly but 'what can you expect from $50' a night. There's so many other hostels pick another. This is just a greedy guy running a poorly run shabby business.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from CAROLYN Upton, Owner at Backpackers by the Bay
Responded 9 Oct 2020
The review option on booking sites such as this are a wonderful tool that can be helpful and informative. However it is a system that can be misused, with information provided in such a way as to portray a situation that is not entirely correct or factual, as appears to be the case here. Freshly laundered linen is provided for each and every guest. No bed is ever provided to a guest, under any circumstances, without the linen being replaced with fresh linen. This was never in doubt and was not the focus of the interaction you had with the owner. The discussion you had with Peter was with reference to the heavy doona and the throw pillows that are used to decorate the bed. It is true to say that these are not laundered after each guest. Instead there is a house-keeping system in place by which these are inspected and spot cleaned between guests and scheduled for laundering on a regular basis. You made it clear that you felt this was not acceptable, so without hesitation or prompting, Peter offered you an immediate refund for the night’s accommodation and suggested other types of accommodation locally that may better suit your requirements. You have made a number of assertions you did not mention during your conversation with Peter. As these are not factual, we have addressed them: - none of our staff are "earning their stay". We employ, train and correctly pay our staff to ensure they are well looked after and that the standard of their work is consistently high - upon arrival, and despite there being space elsewhere, you parked your vehicle directly across our driveway. This is both illegal and dangerous - we are confused by your comments about the hostel being a care home for the elderly. The hostel was purpose-built as a backpackers hostel and all the facilities were designed with the needs of independent travellers in mind. It is for this very reason that so many of our guests enjoy their time at the hostel It is obvious you are very upset and that you and your travelling companion have taken to multiple websites to leave a poor review of Peter and of our hostel. As a review such as this can have devastating affects on a small business, I urge potential guests to read reviews from the many other guests we have had the pleasure of hosting, in the hope of gaining a more balanced version of our property
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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angelica e wrote a review June 2020
2 contributions
I felt so good in that hostel, kind of home. Nice and clean room, pool and gym area. Beautiful people, good vibes and friendly staff. If I decide to go back to Airlie beach I'll definitely stay there. Good job guys
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from CAROLYN Upton, Owner at Backpackers by the Bay
Responded 3 Aug 2020
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Angelicae227. We are very pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us and we look forward to welcoming you back one day. Travel safely
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Peter wrote a review Apr 2020
2 contributions
Stayed there the past two weeks during this corona lockdown. Everyone takes social distancing seriously and the owner is a fantastic guy. He cant do enough to make your stay more comfortable. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from peter upton, General Manager at Backpackers by the Bay
Responded 8 Apr 2020
Thank you so much Peter! It does make the difference not having you around our small family anymore! All the best and we'll always have our doors open for you to come back ;) Big hug from Filipa and all the staff in Backpackers by the Bay!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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PRICE RANGE
AU$98 - AU$99 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
backpackers by the bay hotel airlie beach
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandAirlie Beach
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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BACKPACKERS BY THE BAY (AU$98): 2024 Prices & Reviews (Airlie Beach) - Photos of Hostel - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Backpackers by the Bay
Which popular attractions are close to Backpackers by the Bay?
Nearby attractions include Heart Reef (0.2 km) and Above & Below Gallery (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Backpackers by the Bay?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Backpackers by the Bay?
Guests can enjoy a lounge and barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Backpackers by the Bay?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Backpackers by the Bay?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Belvedere At Toscana, Anchor Bar, and The Palms Restaurant & Bar.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Backpackers by the Bay?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Backpackers by the Bay located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Airlie Beach.
Are any cleaning services offered at Backpackers by the Bay?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Backpackers by the Bay?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and French.