Pippies Beachhouse

Pippies Beachhouse is a great hostel in Rainbow Beach. They provide free breakfast and a free BBQ on Wednesday nights. It is a great place to stop before or after Fraser Island.

The Location

All three of the main hostels in Rainbow Beach are right next to each other, and right across from the bus stop -- very easy to find. It's about a five-minute walk in one direction to one major grocery store, and a five-minute walk in the other direction to the strip of local shops and restaurants and the beach. Pippies does have a number of parking spaces available on the property, and there is plenty of parking on the street as well.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Pippies has two areas containing dorm rooms. The first set or dorms are right off the kitchen, nearest to reception. The other set is in a house, just to the right of the kitchen, but in a separate building. Request to stay in the house, since it won't have constant kitchen noise. Each dorm room has four beds. Mattresses are a bit thin but sheets are provided, blankets can be rented from reception, and the rooms are cleaned every day.

Pippies prohibits sleeping bags, so there's very little chance of bedbugs. They do not provide lockers, but do offer luggage storage in a locked shed for people going to Fraser island. Keys are necessary to enter the hostel after reception closes, and there are locks on the dorm room doors as well. Double rooms are also available. They also offer bunk beds in a large tent, but that will only save a dollar or two, so it's best just to stay in the normal dorms.

Regarding bathrooms, there are a few sets of separate toilets and showers off the kitchen, and another three spacious full bathrooms inside the house. They are also cleaned daily, but since there are only a few, there can be a queue. The bathrooms in the house have plenty of space to change/hang clothes.

Common Spaces

Pippies has plenty of common areas. Right in front of reception are a number of picnic tables, and a few hammocks as well. They also have a campfire pit and do a free BBQ on Wednesday nights. There is plenty of space to relax and talk to other travelers. There is a living room in the house with a DVD player, and DVDs are available to borrow from reception. Pippies also has a small pool area with a few lounge chairs.
Laundry and internet facilities are available.

One downside is the kitchen. Although there is plenty of counter space, fridge space, and seating, there is only one small stove and one normal-sized sink. The kitchen is always busy, so there is often a queue for cooking or washing dishes.

Pippies is a social hostel, but not a party hostel. They have "quiet time" after 9:30, but people can still stay up to chat and hang out by the campfire, but are suggested to go to the beach or a bar to party. The other hostels next door have music two nights per week, but it's easier to get a good night's sleep at Pippies.

Most people go to Rainbow Beach to go to Fraser Island, so there is a constant stream of people coming in and out, listening to intro to Fraser videos, and organizing their trips. Pippies organizes self-drive trips to Fraser and can book other activities as well. They sometimes offer boomerang-making classes as well.

Summary

Overall, Pippies is a good hostel. It has a good balance of everything. It is neither too rowdy nor too quiet. Room size is adequate, bathrooms are big, location is great, and there is plenty of space around the hostel to spread out and relax. It is a good place to stay before or after Fraser Island.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2008