The Hostelz.com Review
Like all the hostels in Hervey Bay, HI - Hervey Bay - Colonial Village YHA Hostel is located about an hour's walk away from the bus drop-off, however there is a hostel-provided, free shuttle bus service, which is very useful! The hostel has quite a relaxed feel and the staff are very welcoming -- you even get free muffins and juice on arrival!
The Location
The hostel is quite a distance from the bus dropoff and the main shopping area of Hervey Bay, however there is a supermarket (and a few other shops) about twenty minutes' walk away from the hostel. The marina is about five minutes away, but there isn't much there, and the pier is almost an hour's walk away but there are a number of restaurants and shops here too as well as the beach. The beach is mainly rocky but there is a small section of sand where you can catch some sun.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Small share dorms (four to five beds) are available, as well as private doubles, and tent pitches. We stayed in a private room, which was very nice, but basic with literally just a bed in the room. However the bed is very comfortable and we had a good night sleep, apart from the fact that the doors on the adjoining rooms are very noisy!
The bathrooms are clean, well looked-after, and never busy (there are three toilets and three showers per gender). There were signs requesting that you only spend four minutes in the shower (due to water saving) but this is not managed in any way so there are no problems if you are a bit slow!
Common Spaces
There are two kitchens, although we were only able to access one, it seemed. This kitchen has all the expected equipment (although there is a distinct lack of normal knives!); an eight-burn hob, microwave, and toaster. There is plenty of storage space available, including in the fridge, and everyone seems to respect other guests' food, which is always nice.
The bar area is very nice and relaxed -- food is served between 6 to 8 p.m., although there is a limited menu also available in the day (we recommend the nachos!). Just outside the bar there is a pool area, which is kept clean and tidy. As well as the usual pool table, there are a number of other games available in the bar including Jenga, Monopoly, and chess. There are also two tennis courts available to guests onsite.
Summary
Overall this is a very nice hostel and we had a pleasant stay. If we were going to return to Hervey Bay we would stay here again -- however Hervey Bay itself didn't give us a reason to return.
The Location
The hostel is quite a distance from the bus dropoff and the main shopping area of Hervey Bay, however there is a supermarket (and a few other shops) about twenty minutes' walk away from the hostel. The marina is about five minutes away, but there isn't much there, and the pier is almost an hour's walk away but there are a number of restaurants and shops here too as well as the beach. The beach is mainly rocky but there is a small section of sand where you can catch some sun.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Small share dorms (four to five beds) are available, as well as private doubles, and tent pitches. We stayed in a private room, which was very nice, but basic with literally just a bed in the room. However the bed is very comfortable and we had a good night sleep, apart from the fact that the doors on the adjoining rooms are very noisy!
The bathrooms are clean, well looked-after, and never busy (there are three toilets and three showers per gender). There were signs requesting that you only spend four minutes in the shower (due to water saving) but this is not managed in any way so there are no problems if you are a bit slow!
Common Spaces
There are two kitchens, although we were only able to access one, it seemed. This kitchen has all the expected equipment (although there is a distinct lack of normal knives!); an eight-burn hob, microwave, and toaster. There is plenty of storage space available, including in the fridge, and everyone seems to respect other guests' food, which is always nice.
The bar area is very nice and relaxed -- food is served between 6 to 8 p.m., although there is a limited menu also available in the day (we recommend the nachos!). Just outside the bar there is a pool area, which is kept clean and tidy. As well as the usual pool table, there are a number of other games available in the bar including Jenga, Monopoly, and chess. There are also two tennis courts available to guests onsite.
Summary
Overall this is a very nice hostel and we had a pleasant stay. If we were going to return to Hervey Bay we would stay here again -- however Hervey Bay itself didn't give us a reason to return.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2011
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HI - Hervey Bay - Colonial Village YHA Hostel Details
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HI - Hervey Bay - Colonial Village YHA Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
The best hostel on the whole East coast This was by far the best hostel we stayed in on the whole East coast. We stayed in Hervey Bay as a gateway to Fraser Island (which by the way is the most amazing place we visited the whole time we were traveling). Although we had only paid for a dorm room, the hostel has several two-bed rooms and so we ended up with a private room at dorm room prices -- bargain! The staff were really friendly and helpful, and to be honest were the highlight of an already very good hostel. There is a nice common area with a bar, where the staff provide a BBQ. Nice pool area. Toilets were fine, as were the kitchen areas. Rooms were clean and secure. My only criticism would be that they could do with more washing machines as we had to wait all night for one to come free. They have a secure locker house where you can leave your packs when you go to Fraser Island. I thought the rooms were really secure and the staff very friendly and helpful -- I guess bad experiences can happen at even the nicest hostels though. — Lisa , English (2009-07-17) Bad experiences My stuff got stolen over night. The staff were so unfriendly -- i was just speechless about this behaviour. Without some people helping me out (other backpackers or people from town) i would have been lost. — Adelaide , German (2009-04-20) Outstanding Brilliant. Staff went out of their way to be helpful and welcoming. They're at the top of their game. Pool and spa pool -- clean and well maintained. Lovely bar with a BBQ menu every night with salads and all the extras for a few dollars. Pool table. Loads of on-site activities -- basketball, table tennis, bikes, games). Lovely feel to the place. Rooms are clean. Great place to stay before and after you head to Fraser Island! — Nick , England (2009-04-14) Best I've been to in the HI and YHA system! Wow was the first thing I said when I drove in on 21 OCT 2007. The lush landscape of the place with the cabin style dorms nestled in were just brilliant. Most of the smaller dorms had en-suite bathrooms which was great! No bunk bed in sight. The pool and entertainment area was spacious and relaxing. The internet facilities were abundant and the food was cheap and exceptionally fair, not to mention the price of the ice cold beer on tap here! If tours are your thing the friendly team will find out the perfect tour for you book and send you on your way with a big bright smile! You really could not ask for more from a hostel that charges you less for a night than a good meal out! — VictorianMinty , Australia (2008-09-19) Colonial Log Cabins was was the best Backpacker accommodation I have ever stayed in. The staff make up all the top professional staff that make Colonial Log Cabin the place for me to return time and time again. — Anthony Hamilton-Matthews (2006-06-03) Fantastic place; I ended up staying longer. Clean, great facilities and gorgeous little cabins. — Kirsty (2005-10-12) This hostel is great! The log cabins were amazing and it was a nice change to be sleeping on bunk beds. The food in the bar is cheap, as is a bed. I think I paid $19 a night. This was one of my favorite hostels in the whole of Australia. I just wish that I were able to stay longer! — Anonymous (2005-10-10) As usual for YHAs, there is nothing bad to say. It was clean and safe with friendly staff. What more could you ask for? Plus the cafe served fabulous food. — Joanne (2005-07-20) Typical YHA — immaculately clean, fabulous facilities, and very little atmosphere. The twin room we stayed in initially was on the small side, but very comfortable. Good communal areas, and very good value meals. Free pick up and drop off at bus terminal. Staff very helpful. — Clare (2005-03-21) This was one of the greatest hostels ever in the world — Joe Bloggs (2004-08-05) I've never been to a hotel better than this! — Anonymous (2004-05-27) Man, it was super! The food was cheap, the beds were great (nice and soft), the hospitality was super, and the log cabins were cool! — Anonymous (2004-05-27) This was the best hostel of my entire Aussie adventure. They had a swimming pool, bar, Jacuzzi, and the accommodation was first-rate. — Steve Smith (2004-04-15) Best hostel we have stayed in during our 12 months travelling in Australia. The self drive safari to Fraser Island that was organised by the friendly staff at the hostel was the highlight of our trip to Oz. — Anonymous (2004-02-21) I thought that the log cabin resorts were great, everything was so cheap (the food). My children had a great time in the games room and in their rooms. The beds were nice and comfy and they were good for the nice nights. The only requirement that would be needed for the hotel would be to have cable TV. — Asara (2003-12-22)