Backpackers Retreat

Innisfail

4 of 5

Address	73 Rankin Street, Innisfail Queensland, Australia Map
Price	140.00 per week

Location/Contact

Details

Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed above).

Description

Ratings & Comments

3.3 Average from 14 Ratings

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Comment by Theresa, Irish

March 2009

We loved it
Met best people, had a great time, and owners made us so welcome.

Comment by T.K, England

May 2007

Hey I was a backpacker -- never expected the ritz. had the best time of my travels here in 1997. never a dull moment. oh for endless nights drinking by the pool, dancing for hours at rumers!

Comment by Rick Hostetler

January 2007

Stayed there in '91 for six months. Excellent people both staying there and running the place. They got me work at several different banana plantations, brutal hard work and I loved every minute of it. I remember the guy who was running the place in '93, can't remember his name but he was a good guy though his english was nonexistent. I think the owners turned it over to him so they could travel.

Comment by chris x somewhere to stay busdriver

June 2006

Even Ziggy the bagman of brisbane has a safer life than living there. I would rather sleep in a combi with no doors that spend another night at Dodge Lodge! Good Luck.

Comment by matt mcloughlin

March 2006

I stayed there in 1993. It was run by a French bloke with a dubious command of English. It made for some very amusing notices around the place. There was a pool competition in some local pub every Friday which usually won me a slab of beer because the Queenslanders could not play pool.

Comment by CR

December 2005

Working on a banana farm was one of the worst things I have ever done, but staying at Backpacker's Retreat made it alright. George and Vera are the most caring owners you will ever find. They work hard to make sure that everyone has jobs and work very long hours. They do everything they can to keep everyone happy, comfortable, and the facilities clean. If you want to work, this is the best place to stay. Often workers from the other hostels beg George and Vera to take them in, but they are often booked.

Comment by Neil the Canadian

November 2005

I believe this place is now called the Innisfail Backpackers Retreat. I rate this place 5 stars. It is under relatively new management and they are really turning this place around. Each room has its own full-sized fridge and air-conditioning. My room even had a TV and DVD player. The kitchen is well equipped and there are two lounge areas with TVs. The owner and his partner were some of the nicest and most accommodating people I have ever met. The place is going through renovations but it is always clean and comfortable. I can't count how many times I was asked if I was comfortable or needed anything. They found me work and were there if I had any concerns. All I can say is from my experience at the Innisfail Backpackers Retreat I would recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone. George and Vera put the "treat" into "retreat."

Comment by Michael Korger , Germany

September 2005

I am here now for 3 weeks and I've gotten work nearly every day. One day when I didn't get a job George, the owner of this hostel, brought me to another farm, on the same day. This hostel is one of the best hostels I've seen in Australia!! The owners are so friendly; they bring us to the beach (nearly 30 people!!) for free!!! And much more!! And imagine, every day there are people from the other hostels in Innisfail asking if they can come in here!!! I'm very happy to be here and I would love to come back one day!!

Comment by Christian Behrend

September 2005

The best hostel that I saw in Australia. Nice, personal, friendly and family-like. If you go to Innisfail stay here.

Comment by Adam Collis

September 2005

I stayed there in 1999. It had the foul stench of death about it and was full of dodgy geezers who probably smoked bananas as well as picked them. I'm astounded it is still standing (shonky-looking house). Kitchen was alive, literally, it had ants in the fridge! It pains me to think about it. However, it was an experience everyone should try once and once only.

Comment by Paul Mulraney

August 2005

This was the worst hostel I've ever stayed in. The rooms were filthy, the sheets were not changed before we arrived and there were cobwebs between the bed and the wall. We were told we would get work through them but we never got any and the whole hostel smelled of urine... seriously, no joking. Do not, and I repeat NOT, stay in this hostel, the owners were rude and dirty.

Comment by Jason Kelly

August 2005

I stayed there for 5 days and it was the worst place I've ever stayed in. It smells of urine and the owner's attitude towards us backpackers was awful. AVOID at all costs.

Comment by The boys in the Val

June 2005

Absolutely terrible hostel with evil and money grabbing owners. Hopefully it's shut down.

Comment by Anonymous

August 2004

Really poor hostel. I think it might even be closed down.

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