Hostelz.com Hostels Reviews
EnglishFrançaisEspañolItalianoDeutsch
Find hostels in:

Old Firestation Backpackers

Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

3 of 8
Online Booking
• Secure Instant Booking • Guaranteed Reservation •
Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Address
18 Phillimore Street, Fremantle   Map
Price
From US$23.16/€14.78/£11.73 per person. Price may vary by season - Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • BBQ
  • Travel information provided
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Food/Restaurant
  • Lockers
  • Lounge / Common space
 
The Hostelz.com Review
The Old Firestation Backpackers is a beautiful old fire station building dating back to 1907, and the fire pole is still there. There is an Indian Restaurant downstairs, which serves discounted meals for backpackers in the evening from $3.50 (the food is very good).

The hostel itself is well-equipped for backpackers. There is a huge common room with free pool table and wide screen TV and PlayStation 2s. There are TVs in many of the rooms, with 5 video channels, and over 100 movies to choose from for free. The internet facility at this hostel which is free 24 hours. These are just some of a string of free things included in the very reasonable price.

The kitchen facilities are good and it is cleaned twice a day. The showers and toilets are clean. The dorms are relaxing and warm.

The staff are good, very friendly and helpful, with lots of information on the area. The general vibe is friendly. A lot of people stay for months. The long-termers are a welcoming bunch, but it's also good if you want time to yourself. In the winter it may be about half-full, but it's full throughout summer.

The whole palce is well maintained and has a fresh feel. It's an excellent hostel and a good value.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Louise
February 2008
The worst place ever
The worst place I've ever stayed. Loud music all night and people screaming and behaving like small children. When you ask them in the middle of the night to be a bit more quiet, they tell you to f*** off, and sleep somewhere else. Small, hot rooms, and dirty.
Comment by clive, uk/nz
May 2007
A great hostel and atmosphere made fantastic by the people. I'd be tempted to go on holiday to Freo just to stay there! A big thanks to Alex (staff/co-owner) who let in after hours when they were fully booked. The couch was comfy as! Certainly the most friendly hostel I've stayed in.
Comment by starrious
March 2007
Did you know that they have a wall covered with chins? well, yes, they most certainly do.
Comment by Robbie
January 2007
I stayed in this hostel for six weeks and really liked it. There is a great atmosphere in the hostel with lots of friendly people. I stayed in the fifteen-bed Pleasuredome dorm -- might sound a nightmare but so many of the guests there were such a good laugh! It might not be the cleanest hostel ever but has real character and friendly staff. The courtyard is very social and has a free jukebox with over ten thousand songs. I would recommend this hostel and would definitely recommend staying in Fremantle over staying in Perth city centre.
Comment by Anonymous
August 2006
I've been in quite a few hostels around the world but this one was by far the best. Miss it and you miss probably the best time of your life.
Comment by drew and linz
February 2006
We stayed in this hostel for 3 weeks in november and we had the best time. The staff are all really nice and helpful and they are good at finding work for you. The hostel is really clean and there are lots of free stuff like internet, tea and coffee and pool table. They have regular parties which rock and everyone that stays there seem to want to have a good time. I would recommend this hostel to anyone and we would definitley stay there again.
Comment by Crazy Trevor
May 2005
The Philosophers Shower will always be special to me.
Comment by Anonymous
April 2005
The free Internet and washing machines are a welcome bonus but the pool table and table football have definitely seen better days, though for free it's hard to complain. The rooms are generously sized and the kitchen is acceptably clean, though it could be better stocked with knives, pans, etc. Cutlery/crockery aren't supplied but are available for hire for a returnable $10 deposit. The OFS has many residents who have been there for months on end, giving a bit of a cliquey feeling for those only staying a few nights. It's definitely a hostel geared more towards the younger person who wants to stay in one place and party for a while, so travelers looking for a place to sleep and eat for a few days might be better elsewhere.
Comment by Hillary
March 2005
The Old Firestation has the best atmosphere. It has people from every place, who come here and then come back again year after year! This is a definite destination when you are in Perth or Fremantle, Australia. There are heaps of parties, barbecues, and music. You can tour Western Australia or relax and catch the best tan Australia has to offer!
Comment by Katy
February 2005
Met some cracking people here and had an excellent time in the Old Firestation over Christmas 2004. We slid down the fireman's pole on Christmas Eve into the restaurant for dinner. Great entertainment with a live DJ and spa pool in the back yard; it got a bit messy! Went to Rottnest Island for Christmas day on the beach, partied hard through New Year's. I was sad to leave, and I will definitely stay again.
Comment by Staf
January 2005
I stayed here for five months over the 2001 Christmas and New Year holiday. This is the best hostel I stayed at in Oz. I met Stretch here and plenty more great people I now still see. This hostel is a must for anyone in the area.
Comment by Aine Og
December 2004
I can't say enough good stuff about the OFS! It's been a while since I stayed here and like most people, I initially planned on staying at most a couple of weeks but stayed two months!!! Niamh, you're a legend — Happy Chrimbly from all at home. :)
Comment by Gemma and Rich
October 2004
This hostel is the dogs bollocks! We're in Melbourne now and yet we're thinking about coming back for chrimbo [Christmas] as we are yet to find a better hostel, I think the search is pointless. You will NOT find a better hostel than this place. The staff are brilliant and make you feel completely at home and the facilities are excellent. Everything's free! Even if you're skint [broke] and can't afford to go out, you can stay in and have a laugh with everyone.
Comment by Welsh Jo
September 2004
I just read all the comments and it brought all the good times flooding back! I was there over Christmas 2003 and I recognize a few of your names--I shared a dorm with Brad for a few weeks, I do recall! He's not that bad--I survived! I hope you are all doing well. Had the time of my life at this place; like many, I came for a week and stayed a good three-and-a-half months in all! It was a great value, everyone was real friendly, and there is always something going on. I would love to go back sometime! Rock on and Rotto rules!
Comment by Stretch
September 2004
I worked in the OFS for about three months way back in 2001. The whole hostel (100-plus people) spent Christmas Day on Rottnest Island. It was one of the best times I had in Oz (Australia). At this hostel I met some really amazing people, and a couple of crazy ones, too!! Cheers Bret and Heidi. Rich, aka Stretch.
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

3 of 8
Exclusive Photos Taken by the Hostelz.com Reviewer
Additional Photos

Hostelz.com Poll
Which do you use for opinions when choosing a hostel?
Comments from Hostelz.com Users (the ones with star ratings)
Hostelz.com's own Exclusive Reviews
Both
Not sure / don't understand
Other:

Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information and reviews on all youth hostels and backpackers worldwide.