HI - Excape Backpackers YHA Hostel

The Excape Backpackers is tucked into the back side of the Potshot Hotel Resort in Exmouth, so while it's got some of the amenities that you might expect from a nice resort -- two nice pools, an attached bar and restaurant, extensive grounds -- it's also missing a lot of the atmosphere that a regular hostel has. The rooms are all in a motel-like strip out back; they're clean, with ensuite bathrooms, but because they all face outdoors instead of onto any common area, it's not particularly social except within each room. Beds, bathrooms, and kitchen are standard (although the kitchen needs more utensils, etc.) and there's a small internet/tv room that doesn't get used much.

The nicest part of the backpackers is the attached diving shop (useful for booking trips out of Exmouth), and the outdoor lounge, which has a bbq and nice shaded tables where most of the guests congregate in the evenings.

The hostel does provide, for free, pickup from the Greyhound bus (which drops off at 3:30 in the morning at the tourist centre, so while it's only about a 5 minute walk, it's good to have someone pick you up and show you to your room at that time, plus they only charge half price for that night).

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
July 2005