The Hostelz.com Review
The Halse Lodge Guesthouse YHA might just become your favorite hostel in Australia. Halse Lodge is a beautiful veranda-encircled building in pristine condition that also inhabits the best location in the lovely town of Noosa, just seconds from the main street, restaurants, and beaches of Noosa Heads, directly across from the bus stop. Look past the other hostels advertising their rooms when you arrive at the bus stop and head straight across the road for Halse Lodge. While a tad more expensive than the other hostels, you won't be disappointed with the superior quality, atmosphere, friendliness, and location.
Rooms are lovely, clean, and have a brand-new feel. At least in the second building, each bright dorm room has two or more light-filled windows, a wardrobe, comfortable beds, and individual reading lights above each bed. Bathrooms are located down the hall, and while they are not large, they are clean. The second building is also where you will find the large, backpacker-friendly kitchen, though be aware, you'll be tempted by the good meals at the on-site bar and restaurant too. Upon checking in, you will also receive an offer of a free glass of wine if you attend the evening "information and welcome" session held nightly to inform you of the many opportunities in the area and to help you meet fellow guests. It is informative, and aside from the free drink, you will also get a few useful coupons for some establishments in town.
The common areas are welcoming, and include an outdoor patio, a large indoor room complete with comfortable seating and a piano, a small tv room, the spacious verandas, and the restaurant and bar, which offer outdoor seating with a great ambiance. The hostel can also help you book tours and point you towards some fun things to do while in town (including visiting Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo via shuttle from the bus station, lounging on the beach, learning to surf, visiting Fraser Island, or going for a walk in the nearby national park -- accessible by foot, where you can find a lovely trail, beautiful ocean views, and possibly even a koala or two).
Make your stay in popular Noosa even better by staying at this superb hostel. If you're looking for great atmosphere, cleanliness, location, and fun, don't look any further than Halse Lodge.
Rooms are lovely, clean, and have a brand-new feel. At least in the second building, each bright dorm room has two or more light-filled windows, a wardrobe, comfortable beds, and individual reading lights above each bed. Bathrooms are located down the hall, and while they are not large, they are clean. The second building is also where you will find the large, backpacker-friendly kitchen, though be aware, you'll be tempted by the good meals at the on-site bar and restaurant too. Upon checking in, you will also receive an offer of a free glass of wine if you attend the evening "information and welcome" session held nightly to inform you of the many opportunities in the area and to help you meet fellow guests. It is informative, and aside from the free drink, you will also get a few useful coupons for some establishments in town.
The common areas are welcoming, and include an outdoor patio, a large indoor room complete with comfortable seating and a piano, a small tv room, the spacious verandas, and the restaurant and bar, which offer outdoor seating with a great ambiance. The hostel can also help you book tours and point you towards some fun things to do while in town (including visiting Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo via shuttle from the bus station, lounging on the beach, learning to surf, visiting Fraser Island, or going for a walk in the nearby national park -- accessible by foot, where you can find a lovely trail, beautiful ocean views, and possibly even a koala or two).
Make your stay in popular Noosa even better by staying at this superb hostel. If you're looking for great atmosphere, cleanliness, location, and fun, don't look any further than Halse Lodge.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2006
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Halse Lodge Guest House Details
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Halse Lodge Guest House Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Make money for a greedy little man Worst in my experience. Can't let the emotion of a scenic national park get in the way. There a number of other places that will even let you bring your own alcohol. Working backpackers are treated with contempt, and sh*t on. — Anonymous , German (2011-04-14) Location excellent, welcoming committee great, facilities not so hot The location is excellent across the road from the bus terminus and Greyhound stop. Across the road from the best beaches and main road. Welcoming drink on evening of arrival. However, one very small kitchen for a hundred-ten people and exactly twelve seats for those who utilise this kitchen, got the impression that they wanted you to buy from their restaurant. No place to charge mobile phones in dorms. Rates reasonable. — Les Murphy , South Africa (2008-12-09) Great hostel We were very lucky -- we hadn't booked anyplace over Easter and everywhere was full up -- the YHA had just had a cancellation so we managed to get the last two beds. It is not the cheapest place to stay but was worth the money. The staff were friendly. The welcome meeting every night for new people with a free glass of wine was a nice touch. There is a nice common room area with a pool table and football table which was nice with the adjacent bar and restaurant area. The rooms were quite small but beds were ok and rooms were basically clean. One big disadvantage -- there is nowhere to charge your phones/cameras in the room, which meant that I had to sit in the common room with my phone while it charged -- not the most convenient. The shower and toilet facilities were sufficient in number and clean. Good number of hooks and workbench type areas. The kitchen area was large, well equipped and kept clean. The location of the hostel is great -- really near the beach although the have a hilly walk if you want to go to the Noosa Juncation area. — Becks , England (2008-03-29) Nice place We stayed in Halse lodge over Christmas and found the staff to be friendly. The hill up to the hostel is steep but over pretty quick (we managed it!). Kitchen was clean and tidy. Downsides though -- due to the bar no one is allowed alcohol at the hostel (bit disappointing round Christmastime). Would have been nice to know beforehand. The hostel also tried to charge us more than the price we were told originally but this was sorted out. If you are creeped out by creepy crawlies not the best place as most of the lodge has open windows. We would stay again. — Helen & Sion , Wales (2008-01-06) One of the best hostels to stay in! When we arrived at this hostel, we were invited to a welcome meeting (with a free drink of wine!) for all new guests. It was very helpful, telling us about places to see, cheap places to eat. We booked a surfing lesson through the hostel which was extremely cheap and lots of fun! (we would recommend this!) The staff were always cheerful, enthusiastic, and happy to help! The twin room that we stayed in was small but cosy and clean and no bunk beds! The bathrooms are well sized and clean. The kitchen is also well stocked with utensils, clean, and lots of storage space. There is also an eating area on the balcony. There is a bar in the hostel which sells cheap but nice food and beer.
The location is central, just opposite the bus station and near the shops and restaurants, five minutes' walk from the beach! The only downside (if any) is the quite steep hill leading to the hostel, which could cause problems for some people, however we did manage to get up there with heavy backpacks so not much of a big problem! and also watch out for the resident pets (two large snakes!) which we were told about although we did not see them thankfully! If staying in Noosa, this is the place to stay and the only hostel in Noosa centre. — Jess&&Christina , Uk (2007-11-08) Loved it great place, cheap, very clean, staff very helpful, it was that nice we stayed a extra night and will go back. — carolyn ronnie , british (2007-10-30) Had a great time at Noosa hostel -- stayed there with my kids. Close to beach and all the amenities. As soon as you walk in you feel you are home. It has a great feel about it and would definitely go back again. Fantastic position to everything. Kitchen a bit small and they need a quiet room if you just want to chill out -- sometimes too noisy at night in main area. Other than that great. We will be back. — Mary (2007-01-12) Noosa is excellent! Recommend going sea kayaking and walking in noosa national park to spot wild koalas. We only had a few days here and wish we could have stayed longer. It was a little noisy but the facilities were fine. Relaxed atmosphere. Only a short walk to Noosa Junction where there are supermarkets. — Mark and Debs (2006-07-18) Good character, and the best location to be near the beach. Someone stole my food from the fridge, which was not cool, but not the hostel's fault. The place itself is at the top of a hill, which can be a bit rough with a loaded pack, but isn't so bad. It's about a twenty-minute walk to Noosa Junction, which is where you want to go for affordable food and shops since Noosa Heads is very pricey. Long lineups at reception sometimes, but the staff try hard. Excellent nightly food specials at the bar, and free drink on your first night. Great social atmosphere in the common areas and on the deck that offers great views. Dorms were a bit noisy though. — Sarah (2006-07-09) Nice clean hostel, good position, decent facilities, but the kitchen and dining areas weren't big enough. We stayed in four different rooms (bloody Noosa triathlon!) and some rooms open out on to the communal areas, which can be a bit noisy first thing in the morning (not relevant at night, because these areas are closed off after 11 p.m.). Good bar and meals. — FunkyMunkey (2005-11-14) This was the BEST backpacker's place that I stayed at. The staff were so friendly, it was very welcoming and I loved the Meet and Greet they had for new people! They helped me organize my tours and were just fantastic. I definitely recommend you stay here in Noosa! — Tara , Glasgow (2005-08-27) I loved this place!!! Firstly it's possibly the closest hostel to the beach — other hostels were a fair old walk away. It's a beautiful old colonial building with verandahs to sit out and relax on and in the morning the rainbow lorikeets all come and visit for breakfast — they're so cute!!! The dorms and bathrooms are clean and comfortable — if you do stay make sure you ask for a dorm in the old building if possible rather than the annex at the rear of the building. The hostel is also a minute's walk from where the Greyhound buses stop, which is really handy. The hostel offers meals in the evening — I had a great roast dinner!!! There are lovely lawns surrounding the building and there's a nice little courtyard area, too. All in all I highly recommend it here!!! — Solo Travel Girl (2005-08-01) This is the best place to stay in Noosa. Very clean and charming — this place has character! Great lanai for lounging. — Anonymous (2005-06-11) This is a traditional hostel, right across the street from the Greyhound bus stop. There's a good feeling about the place. I would definitely stay here again. — Anonymous (2005-02-06) The rooms were pretty small and the walls seemed very thin! I didn't get much sleep because of all the noise people were making, even though the bar had shut hours ago. It's in a pretty location, though. — Anonymous (2004-11-30)