Bowen Backpackers

One of the Best in four years!
I stayed at Bowen backpackers for about five weeks in october 2005. I have to say it is one of the best hostels i have ever stayed in. The hostel is cleaned everyday by the owners Scott and Sian so it is always lovely and clean when you arrive home from work. They have excellent contracts going with a few big farms/packing sheds in the area, and the harvest work was probably the best ive experienced -- so much so that im returning for my final four weeks! I met loads of brilliant people there who ive kept in touch with. The kitchen is pretty big, and although there are only four girls and four boys showers you never seem to wait very long to use them as everyone finishes work at different times and the water is always lovely and warm. although you'd probably prefer a cold shower after work as it does get quite humid in Bowen! The boys rooms all have air con, and the girls rooms have fans (they are currently also adding air con to these rooms), and out of all of the backpackers in bowen it's the most centrally located -- five minutes from the few pubs and the IGA. The owners are really nice and fair people -- and although strict at times -- for good reason, they are also a great laugh and sometimes go out with the backpackers.

f***in mint!

I had a great time in that hostel. Very friendly managers. After work it was cool to hang out at the shady verandas outside the rooms. It's next to the swimming pool which is not too expensive and on your days off or ater work you can relax there. Very cool.

I stayed in this hostel in October 2005 and I loved it. That's why I came back in May 2006 but there are new owners now and they're just a fake! They turned this place in a total rip off and promise work where nothing is. Their best sound bite is that they have a farm where you can earn eighteen bucks an hour -- lie! They want one hundred-fifty per week including transport, if you use it or not, they don't care. They don't let you work for accommodation or give you any other discount, when you can't pay or they don't find work for you. They also want you to tell three days in advance when you're leaving. And as it happen to me they don't give you work for then, even though the whole hostel is working. An absolute sh*tty place! Never go there, save your money!

I have had a great time in this hostel. I met a lot of nice people there; the hostel is really clean and very beautiful. I stayed six weeks there and felt like home. It was one of the best hostels I have seen in Australia.

Love this hostel. Great staff! Good dorms with double beds for couples in some of the rooms. I had loads of fun with all the other guests.