Balmain Backpackers

Great
this hostel was our home for eight months in '05/'06 and again in january '07. we met the best people and had great parties. we're heading back to oz in september but think i'll skip sydney now -- no point if enza's not there. but it was a fab hostel and i still really miss it. it's not like big hostels were everyone's spread out and no one talks to anyone.

Revolting, I left feeling literally quite dirty
Please don't go here. There are some really great hostels in Sydney charging the same and less for a whole lot more in a more central location. I needed a place quickly and they obviously insisted on me paying maximum deposit ($100) which within three days I was happy to forfeit just to get out of there. An example is when I dropped my dirty sheets off to the gentleman (who feels he needs to convert all and sundry) he simply folded them up and put them back in the cupboard! Fairly safe to assume that the laundry don't insist on folded dirty laundry. Balmain Backpackers needs to undergo much maintenance and improvement before being suitable for anyone other than those one step off poverty.

The best
me and my girl friend rachel stayed there between boxing day and new years day 04/05, we both had the time off our lives. everyone was really friendly made some great friends. the owners were really helpful and friendly and if you're looking for some extra cash it's the place to stay. the pub across the road where we spent some great times is a must go and it's very close to the city. A great place to spend New Years in Oz.

Awesome
I had an awesome time here from dec. '03 to apr. '04 and then returned on and off during '04, met some life long friends! I loved Enza! Just so chilled out and relaxed. I miss it so much!

Lovely for long termers
I had a great time staying in this hostel whilst I was working in Balmain. The weekly rent was reasonable and the people are lovely. The area of Rozelle and Balmain are beautiful, away from the craziness of the city but only ten minutes away from it all by bus. You get an amazing view of the city from across the water whilst walking down the tree lined roads. The hostel would be a difficult one to visit for one or two nights as most of the people there have been there for a long time. Lots of people are working there too so don't expect it to be crazy party time every where every night. Its like a big flat share really. The cleaning of the hostel was done by people who lived there so varied week to week. Be prepared to get used to having to check new arrivals in too, often the "manager" is not around. The one problem with this place is the alcoholic that runs the place, Enza. Even if at first she takes to you, don't be drawn in. I was subjected to nights of abuse from her, and I was not alone. She would burst into my room at 4 a.m. for no reason and try to kick me out, whilst allowing racist and violent people live there for free. She is like a dark cloud that hangs over the place. Anyone who would give their child up for Jack Daniels is evil and vile, and thats Enza. The people there though were the best, and the only reason to stay here.

i stayed in balmain backpackers for almost two years and trust me Enza is not a nice person. if she doesn't like you, for no reason at all, watch out! i would have to question management if she has not been fired from cleaning duties yet -- she can't even wash her own clothes. mind you she is probably running the show now. warning to any young blokes intending on staying at balmain backpackers -- watch your drinking as you might wake up with enza's bright red lipstick in places you never knew existed. be warned everybody, you never know when she will be ready to pounce! other than that i had a good time there and the partying was most enjoyable!

We loved Balmain Backpackers. There were eight of us. Four adults and four kids. Enza was great. She gave us a good clean room with a bathroom nearby and an easy exit. We parked our large four-wheel-drive in the alley for four days with no problem. Smaller cars could park underneath in the lock up garage. The location is excellent. We were only a few minutes from town. We caught buses, boats, and drove. Enza made our Sydney experience special. Something we'll have fond memories of for a long time.

We have stayed at this hostel for the last 10 weeks or so, and will be VERY sad to leave, we've made some great friends, and have always been looked after. Its a great hostel, its clean, its fun and worth a stay.

I stayed at this hostel July-Sept 03. I've got to say it was the best hostel I stayed at in Sydney. If you have a car, this is the best place to stay (free secure under ground carpark). Staff are most helpful and friendly. They treat you like adults and let you use all the facilities like Internet, TV and kitchen 24 hours a day. :) Also, we fired up the (free use) barbecue a couple of times. I think I was cooking for about 22 people one Sunday afternoon. I've got to agree that the Red Lion felt like proper local, and it's just a few minutes down the road. :) And it's just a 10-minute bus ride from the city center. You can't go wrong with Balmain Backpackers. :)

It could have been so good. SUGGESTION: get rid of that old hag Enza. What the hell is she doing??? She made my stay very unenjoyable.

I stayed here from September 2003 to January 2004, had a great time and met lots of cool people. I had a wicked time. They provide FREE barbecues with booze, 24-hour video room and Internet access. And yes, maybe it can get noisy sometimes, but I think that's people having fun!!

This is the most fun place I've stayed at while travelling. Everybody here is friendly and fun. I spent great nights watching videos and had brilliant craic on my nights out. A 24-hour pub is a two-minute wobble away. What more could a body ask for!!!

This is possibly the best hostel I have stayed in since I started travelling. The atmosphere is amazing - it feels like a home. Everyone gets on so well here. They arrange great days and nights out, always fueled by a hell of a lot of booze! And God bless the Red Lion across the road for its Thursday karaoke. The two coaches up on the front of the stage are from the hostel! Go Marco! This is the best place ever - you meet the weirdest people here, but it's brilliant, a great hostel in a brilliant location!

This has to be the worst flea pit of a hostel we stayed in while traveling. It's not safe, it's noisy and the photos depicting it are unrealistic. The only saving grace was the work they provided.