The Hostelz.com Review
Youth Shack Hostel is a laid-back hostel with a good reputation. It attracts a nice mix of people from all age groups (late teens, twenties, early thirties). The atmosphere is enjoyable and friendly. Well laid-out common spaces make it easy to get to know other backpackers. There's no in-house bar and a total alcohol ban so the going never gets too tough.
The Location
The hostel is located in the middle of Mitchell Street and has one of the best locations in town. It's easy to find and only a hundred meters away from the transit centre (Greyhound, airport shuttle). There are a couple of parking spots at the back too. Mitchell Street hosts most of the restaurants, bars, and hostels in town. But even though Youth Shack is right in the heart of the nightlife the rooms are quiet, so you get a good night's sleep. Coles supermarket is a two-minute walk away and Woolworth's five minutes. For some more serious shopping you'll walk down one block to Smith Street Mall and a block in the other direction brings you to the Esplanade for some pretty views of the sea. It won't get any more convenient than this!
Rooms and Bathrooms
Youth Shack offers only twins/doubles and four-bed dorms. The rooms are fairly small and basic -- bunk beds, lockable lockers (own padlock), and a sink with a mirror in each dorm. Each floor has share bathrooms and showers for both girls and guys. Rooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily and the whole premises is well-maintained. Hallways have carpets, the doors are thick, and the communal spaces are separated from the living quarters. This helps to keep the noise down to a minimum.
Common Spaces
Common spaces include a TV room, laundry, sundeck, kitchen and seating area, and a pool. If the small rooms start to feel claustrophobic just head out on to the sundeck for a tan or down to the pool to meet fellow travelers. The kitchen has a couple of microwaves, fridges, and gas burners. Cutlery and crockery can be obtained from the reception with a deposit. Downstairs reception area includes a travel agency and pay-per-hour internet facilities too. There's no free breakfast but the hostel hands out free meal tickets to The Vic.
Summary
Youth Shack is not the newest hostel in town but it's the friendliest. The rooms are on the smaller side but quiet. After all this is Darwin -- during the Dry the days are warm and sunny (too good to be spent indoors). The pool area is the highlight of this hostel and the open kitchen with the huge seating area offer you a place to chill out on those lazy days. We can honestly recommend this for everyone heading toward Darwin!
The Location
The hostel is located in the middle of Mitchell Street and has one of the best locations in town. It's easy to find and only a hundred meters away from the transit centre (Greyhound, airport shuttle). There are a couple of parking spots at the back too. Mitchell Street hosts most of the restaurants, bars, and hostels in town. But even though Youth Shack is right in the heart of the nightlife the rooms are quiet, so you get a good night's sleep. Coles supermarket is a two-minute walk away and Woolworth's five minutes. For some more serious shopping you'll walk down one block to Smith Street Mall and a block in the other direction brings you to the Esplanade for some pretty views of the sea. It won't get any more convenient than this!
Rooms and Bathrooms
Youth Shack offers only twins/doubles and four-bed dorms. The rooms are fairly small and basic -- bunk beds, lockable lockers (own padlock), and a sink with a mirror in each dorm. Each floor has share bathrooms and showers for both girls and guys. Rooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily and the whole premises is well-maintained. Hallways have carpets, the doors are thick, and the communal spaces are separated from the living quarters. This helps to keep the noise down to a minimum.
Common Spaces
Common spaces include a TV room, laundry, sundeck, kitchen and seating area, and a pool. If the small rooms start to feel claustrophobic just head out on to the sundeck for a tan or down to the pool to meet fellow travelers. The kitchen has a couple of microwaves, fridges, and gas burners. Cutlery and crockery can be obtained from the reception with a deposit. Downstairs reception area includes a travel agency and pay-per-hour internet facilities too. There's no free breakfast but the hostel hands out free meal tickets to The Vic.
Summary
Youth Shack is not the newest hostel in town but it's the friendliest. The rooms are on the smaller side but quiet. After all this is Darwin -- during the Dry the days are warm and sunny (too good to be spent indoors). The pool area is the highlight of this hostel and the open kitchen with the huge seating area offer you a place to chill out on those lazy days. We can honestly recommend this for everyone heading toward Darwin!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2009
Their Description
Youth Shack Hostel Details
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Youth Shack Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Clean rooms, nice staff! Pretty good place, met alot of new friends here. the pool area with the bar is where everyone meets and hang around for a few good laughs. The staff is nice and helpful too. Aircon and electric fan in every room. Fairly clean WCs, good space! Sundeck, loud music and even live music a couple of days per week. This is not really the place to stay if you wanna be in a quiet state, there is alot of partying here. — Fredric , Sweden (2011-10-27) Not bad at all Good little hostel, friendly staff, and the prices are not too bad either ... Oh and it's right in the cbd which helps slot with getting around. — Michael smith , Australia (2011-09-24) Decent but not great There's a no alcohol policy in this place, and there's no bar. Made for some boring days and nights in the hostel. It's got a big pool. Nice rooms. That's about it really. Nothing special. — Paul T , Ireland (2009-08-02) Some rooms are really bad My first two nights at the Youth Shack was in a room where neither the air conditioner nor the fan worked. The room was next to the main ventilation vent outside so it was very noisy. If you go there make sure that you get a room in the 4 or 5 hundred series as they are in another much nicer building. The travel desk had good service. — julie , france (2009-07-21) Worst Hostel Hostel has no atmosphere and feels like prison and staff treat customers as if this is what it is. It has only air con between 7pm and 7 am, the place stinks,dirty showers and toilets -- have even seen ants eating vomit from toilet floor. You have to give your key also to get any kind of cooking equipment. only thing going for it is the fast internet. — Mags , Irish (2008-06-20) This was the best hostel! I was there for three weeks. The rooms all have twenty-four-hour aircon and an electric fan. There's a great swimming pool. You can book your trips with them with no pressure and normally get a better deal than elsewhere. The staff are friendly and the place has a great atmosphere, especially when everyone jumps in the pool fully clothed after a great night out! It's situated in the heart of Mitchell St. close to twenty-four-hour Coles, right next to Shenanigans and a short walk from Discovery nightclub. you don't get disturbed by the noise though. Can't recommend it enough! I have only one complaint -- the lack of saucepans and cutlery in the kitchen. You have to go to reception to get these items which can be a bit of a pain however, don't let this minor niggle stop you from staying here. — Jane (2006-10-03)