Australia & Oceania Hostels

Echuca is a great place to stay, the people are lovely and there is nothing better than sailing down the murray with friends around to have a few beers with. Loved the place and hope to get back in the future.

Hobart is a happening place, with old buildings, tourists, and locals. It has the usual city feel to it, and is lovely to walk around in. Salamanca place is a must. Hiding behind other buildings this is an outdoor area with restaurants and some shops and a big pond. On Friday nights there is the live music by locals in another hidden away courtyard. Here they start early (at about 4 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m.) and they sell some drinks, while you can listen to the local band and even enjoy dancing on the dancing floor if you like.

Lautoka is a pleasent enough place. Nice indoor market.

Bounty Island is a wonderful place. The people are incredilbly sweet. I went there in November of 2002. Mana Island is also wonderful...

When you're in Adelaide, do visit the Adelaide Hills -- really nice scenery and free wine tasting.

Jindabyne comes alive during the months of June through to September when the winter snow season is in full swing.There are good pubs and restaurants all within walking distance of each other. Check out the live music or maybe grab a steak at the one of the restaurants after a great day skiing or snowboarding.

I did the day hike at Tongariro National Park. It was absolutely amazing - sooo beautiful! Bring lots of water and food. It's a small town.

I stayed in Tully for two and a half months as work was plentiful. If you want work you don't have to go through a hostel, just get up bright and early, say 5:30 am, and stand at the post office junction. Ask the farmers if they need help as no qualifications are ever asked. Tully and its environs have a lot to offer and I must say I had the best two and a half months ever.

Bunbury is an amazing city with excellent opportunites to see beautiful dolphins right before your eyes.

Batemans Bay is very far from the beach and attractions -- too far if you do not have transport.

I had a brilliant time in Townsville. It's a place where you can go to get a real feel of Ozy life as there isn't a huge backpacker appeal. It's just a really nice town and I look forward to going back. Another bonus is that it is a base for the Oz army so there were plenty of fit young men around. This was way back in 2000 so hope not too much has changed!

Bremer Bay is such a beautiful place, just dont spoil it with development of more hotels and rising buildings. What's there now is enough.

Warrnambool is a great place to live and visit... the beaches are fantastic!!!

Mission Beach is a great little beach town. Its away from the hussle and bussle of other tourist areas so one can actually enjoy the place they are at.

Bowen is one of my favourite spots in Oz. My tip is to mingle with the locals and they will show you the best time ever coz they are the friendliest bunch of Ozzies I ever met.

I loved Sydney and Australia. I went for the spring in 2001 and stayed in a southern suburb of Sydney called Glebe. I loved everything. My boyfriend and I got a camper RV and drove up the coast for a 3 weeks, it was so amazing, and we even got to the great barrier reef and the Whitsunday Islands. You have to go, if you have even the smallest desire, its worth it!!

Nimbin is disgusting. Don't even bother coming here. There are far better places to visit in the region.

Visting independently? It'll cost you $35 to get the Uluru Express to Ayers Rock. Get the sunset tour with combined walk, it's the same price as the sunset tour alone. The Olgas are $50, the gorge walk is quite disappointing though. Don't forget you need to add $25 to all this for the park three-day pass. Bring a mosquito net -- flies will drive you mad.

Exmouth is AmAzInG. The Ningaloo Reef is located in The Cape Range National Park far far far away from town, but the good news is that The Ningaloo Reef Retreat does a shuttle bus there. I don't want to tell you my favourite spot as I share it with the likes of my middle brother and my best mate, but here's some food for thought. Ever seen a moon rise? How about a moon set over the ocean? If you've got your own wheels this place is the money. You'll need camping gear including a gas cooker as you are not allowed to make a fire in the National Park, a 20 litre container for fresh water, which you can fill at Neds Camp in the park and supplies purchased from Exmouth. Take out about $100 from the bank in Exmouth as the Lighthouse Caravan Park doesn't accept cards, but you can buy take-away food, petrol, and a shower from them. The caravan park is about the mid point between Exmouth and the best places to camp and snorkel, make sure you leave Exmouth with a full tank of gas, if you camp…

I am from Mount Gambier and think it's one of the most beautiful places I've lived. It's humble and a place to relax and take in all the amazing scenery. So close to the sea, the vineyards, and the marvels of the volcanoes.