Backpackers of Queensland

be warned! please do not stay at this poor excuse for a backpackers! the guy chops is the most impossible person i have ever met , he is a complete arsehole! they have two farms -- one is a capsicum farm where two-thirds of the hostel go to work, to be fair you can make money at this farm depending on what you get to pick, green capsicums first pick is ok, you make good money. the only problem was you only picked them for two hours, then were on to the more difficult stuff, where you had trouble finding any at all. the hostel is tidy and new but has no atmosphere, there's too many rules. take my advice if you come here -- check into the campsites and head to the employment exchange, you'll get a good farm to work on, and the two ladies there are very helpful, and know all about the dreaded capsicums and chops the chump! good luck!

this hostel has definitely been the saddest place i've been to in australia. the atmosphere is below zero, everyone sits with their chosen companions in their unit and watches tv or gets drunk. The owner is probably the biggest asshole i have met in australia. word of warning -- he kicks you out if you don't work for a day, no refunds. he has infused his personality into the place, that's for sure. meals are six dollars now, they are pretty nice and pretty much the only thing to eat if you are anti-microwave. the fact that microwaves suck all the nutrients out of your food obviously hasn't reached stanthorpe yet, as well as the fact that it is not a good idea to marry your sister. You can make a lot of money at capsicum-picking if you are good (120 to 200 dollars a day), but you will spend most of it trying to repair your back. apples is better for your health, but most people make around four to five bins in ten hours. at 25 dollars a bin, that's not a lot. my advice -- do not go to stanthorpe, unless you are a homicidal maniac. In that case, have fun!

Really nice hostel. There are only microwaves but you can make fairly decent meals if you're not an idiot in a microwave, mostly pasta based. The Koreans managed really well anyway. There's Maria anyway, she comes in and cooks monster size portions of food for those who won't cook, $5 a meal, well worth it though. Loads of work in the right season and everyone gets along. Chops is great, just don't upset him, heard a few people faced the wrath of Chops, but if you don't act like a nob then you'll be fine. Saved loads of money in six weeks and still went down to Central every Saturday and got trolleyed.

I stayed at this hostel a while ago, and to be honest it was like living in hell!!! You had nothing to do, as Stanthorpe is a dump, and the hostel is maybe clean but the attitude that you get off Chops and his crazy bird is unbelievable!!! Take my advice and just keep away from Stanthorpe all together. It is a very, very weird place. (Ever watched the League of Gentleman?) The only good place is the central inn, as the locals are so funny!!!

We stayed for three weeks and it is very clean. There are only microwaves there, but a nice lady who comes in and cooks six days a week offers a main meal for $5 and it's enough to feed two people! Chops is a really nice bloke and Judy is nice, just a bit quiet. I really enjoyed our stay.

I spent three months here and it was fantastic! Judy was a bit weird but you don't have to speak to her. Chops was fantastic; he found me a job the day I got there and I started the next day.

I spent more than five weeks in this hostel. It was very clean, well maintained, and had good beds and only five people to a room. It was a good choice in my opinion. The owner (Chops) was very friendly and I worked most of the time. (It depends on the season, of course). I don't know much about his wife, but I had a good time in Stanthorpe. The only problem is the kitchen, because there are only microwaves provided. But it's not a problem to cook your meal for a couple of days in a microwave.

Judy (the owner) seemed to have a problem relating to people. I wouldn't recommend this hostel because I just did not feel welcome.

This hostel was alright, I suppose. Judy (the owner) was really rude. The problem is that they only provide microwaves, and it's not very easy to live out of a microwave.

My stay at this hostel was terrible. The bus driver, Daryll, was a complete jerk. Because the apple picking had run out, my friend and I weren't going to be staying the full week, and we were due some money back. Judy, the wife of Chops (they are the operators), refused point blank to refund us, and hit us with abusive language. We were not made to feel at all welcome at pick-up, and we were greeted by weird remarks and snide looks from her.