Innisfail Budget Backpackers

A Good Workers Hostel
I stayed there in 1999 for about five weeks I think. I still have friends from that time. I made enough money to travel to WA overland and had a hell of a character building life experience. As workers hostels go it is very good. They do find you work (in season) and the basic facilities are good. It's as clean as an agri-workers hostel gets. Most importantly the owner Steve is a good guy and not a rip off merchant with no interest in his guests. You need to be realistic about what to expect. Agri work is tough in lots of places but Queensland banana country is by far the toughest. It's sub tropical so expect it to be wet, dirty, heavy work. The locals are friendly and decent but it's a poor farming community not a metropolitan hub so adjust your expectations. If you're a princess type this isn't for you. But if you can rough it a little it's as good an option as any workers hostel.

Basic but proud to call my home
I stayed here for a month, my first impression was that I've just checked myself into Jail as there were so many iron bars! but I did not want to leave. The staff bend over backwards to find you work any day of the week, even overtime. You get paid by the hour and weekly, decent wages too! The free bus to the beach and waterfalls at the weekend is a great touch. Ten-second walk to the Bottleshop -- bonus! If you stay here go to the Imperial Bar on the river on a friday night, it's much better than the Commonwealth Bar.

Shit hole but home
when i first got there i couldnt believe the sh*t hole i had landed myself in. but it still became home and i made it more of a sh*t hole. stayed there five months in 2005. crazy nights, fridays getting pissed on punch and saturdays getting wrecked at the beach parties. Got stoned every night for five months. those were the days. great people, met some of the best friends i'll ever meet there.

Yak
The worst hostel I've ever seen. The bed was awful, it was really noisy, and when you are getting up at 5 a.m. for work, noises until 1 a.m. are not a lot of fun. we had to wait an hour an half sometimes to get picked up from work. all the hostel is really old and need some money to be put in it.

I stayed here with my mate Katie for three months and as a working backpackers you cannot ask for more. Steve and Monique are the best source of work in the local area, if there is work these people will get you working. The Hostel does get dirty, but when there are forty-ish people working in banana paddocks every day this has to be expected.

Steve rocks! The time I was there they were working to improve the hostel, I hope they succeeded cause it wasn't all that good. The beds were very uncomfortable and we actually found a frog in the kitchen once. But the atmosphere was brilliant and Steve and Monique are great! We used to have lots of fun in Rumors, the local pub, and with the banana contests in brother's. Thumbs up!!

The worst place I have ever stayed in my life. The hostel was disgusting and we had mice and cockraoches. I also cut my hand on nails that were sticking out and it got infected. The locals are not friendly and hate backpackers so expect trouble if you go out! But you will make friends as you're all poor and living in ths sh*thole.

The atmosphere in the place only picked up when we arrived there in 2002. Absolute kip of a hostel but it had great people and great drinking sessions and punch parties. They made the stay enjoyable.

I was there for four weeks between January and February 2005. The hostel is not of one of the best I stayed in, but the atmosphere is just great! The first days are the hardest, but then you'll enjoy it! And then Steve is great and very kind. I would spend that time there again if I could! I'm back home now and a great part of my thoughts go to this place and some people I met there. If you want to fruit-pick don't miss this place!

It's the best place in Australia. I stayed there for nearly five months. Friday night is the best: PUNCH NIGHT, all you can drink. The atmosphere is perfect for relaxing after work, and Steve is a good bloke.

I stayed at Budget Backpackers for three months, December 2003 to March 2004. Steve and Monique are great. If you want to work, Steve makes sure that you get work. I really enjoyed my stay there, because of the people who were staying there around the same time. I had the best birthday party ever.

I stayed in this hostel for about four weeks before I started to work there! I was driving the vans taking the guys for days to the Boulders and stuff. Steve and Monique are great. I can't believe people are ditching this place because it's dirty... it's a WORKERS HOSTEL for BANANAS!! What the hell do you expect? I personally got over that and after a day lumping bunches of bananas on my back that place was heaven! Great people and great fun. P.s. Steve and Monique if you ever read this I'm moving to Innisfail in the next four months so I'll see you there!

I'm loving it. I had best time here...great fun in the double bed. It was worth it.

We had the best time in the world up there. Lots of others there complained about the accommodations; all I can say to them is MOVE ON LOSERS!!! It was a place to crash, work was hard but money is money and DESPERATELY needed, believe me. Thanks to the wonderful hosts of the house. I loved it and I will come back on our way home!! A big cheers to all the guys and gals up there!!!

You can't find a better hostel for work in Innisfail. Steve will find you work when no one else can. Don't listen to any bad reviews on banana work. Only the people who couldn't handle the work complain!! If you are keen and hard working, then call Steve.