Pickled Frog Backpackers

The Pickled Frog is pretty easy to find, as it is near both downtown Hobart and North Hobart. They have a free parking lot in the back, but the spaces are small and it is limited to about fifteen spots. There is free parking on the street out front on weekends and after 6 p.m. during the week. The bus from the airport will drop you off at the hostel, but you have to walk a block from the hostel to catch the bus back to the airport.

There is a wide range of rooms available, from four-, six-, or eight-person dorms to doubles and singles. They do have concession prices if you're a student. Reception is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The beds themselves are fairly new and nice bunk beds, with firm mattresses and pillows, and the hostel provides free clean linen. However, the building itself is very old and the paint is often peeling or cobwebs can be found in the corners of your room. Some rooms smell musty as well. The doubles have a sink in them, but it is old and rusty and does not deliver hot water. There are separate men's and women's bathrooms on both floors, but showers are only found upstairs.

All the common spaces are located downstairs. The reception area also has a bar (you get a discount on beer) and is nicely redone. There is a room with a pool table (you can play for a small price), and a TV room where you can watch any of their DVDs for a deposit. There are comfortable couches and chairs located in the TV room. The kitchen is also found downstairs -- again, it is sort of old and dirty, but you can store food there and use their dishes as long as you wash them and put them away when you're done. Food can be kept in the refrigerators as long as it is marked with a white tag that they provide. It is a pretty social hostel, where people can often be found watching DVDs or sitting by the fire in winter. There is also a dog named Mojo to keep you company.

One of the best features of this hostel is their internet access -- you can either pay for internet use on their computers, or they also offer free wireless if you have your own laptop. Just ask for the network password at the reception desk.

This is a good, budget hostel, as they advertise cheap rates. If you can look past the dirty walls and scary bathrooms, you can still get a nice warm shower and meet interesting people. The hostel will help you book tours around Hobart as well, so you also have easy access to the rest of Tasmania.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review