Wizard of Oz Backpackers

Within stumbling distance of the Coogee Bay Hotel (which quite frankly is the best place to drink in Sydney), the Wizard fails to disappoint. If you're searching for peace and tranquillity then hire a 4x4 and head into the Outback — this hostel certainly knows how to party and won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if you're looking for somewhere that is clean, (relatively) cheap and is a stone's throw from the beach then book now!! Just a word of warning: the decor shall we say is on the garish side — not too good for the morning after if you know what I mean! And just one final thing: the Thai restaurant opposite the hostel rocks and is well worth investigating.

This place only seems to care about taking your money. I never ever saw any type of owner/manager the entire time that I was there. They have lousy security! Two people from two different rooms had stuff stolen while I was there and the people at reception acted like they could care less! The place was full of long-termers who sit around drinking all the time, and the English guy who is supposed to be "night security" sits around getting stoned all the time. I tried to contact the owner when I had safety issues about males barging into female dorms in the middle of the night and acting inappropriately in the "coed bathrooms," and the people at reception would not give me his phone number! It was a very unfriendly environment. Unless you are a loud, rowdy, drunken pot smoker, avoid this place! As far as the freebies advertised on the Web site, there were none. The owner is actually really cheap and provides as little as possible.

The place is about 90 percent British people who sit around smoking, drinking, getting stoned and watching sports all the time. It seems like they never really leave the premises. As for the free barbecues and wine and cheese, I was there for two weeks and they did not have a single one. The rooms are decent, but the bathrooms are kind of scary. The one upstairs bathroom has two stalls, sinks, showers and they are "co-ed." There is a bathroom downstairs which is less used, but still mixed, and a long walk away as it is around the side of the building and somewhat hidden. There is another bathroom downstairs which is more convenient, but it is kept locked because the staff members do not want to bother having to clean it. As far as freebies go, there really are none. They have one television that is usually dominated by Rugby fans and they do not have "free video nights." Their video library is basically about 15 old videos from the nineties. The whole time I was there I never saw the owner or any type of manager. The place was basically run by backpackers! I guess if you only eat and sleep there it is not too bad.

My partner and I stayed at this hostel for a grand total of three days. It was our worst hostel experience in Australia. We had booked ahead over the phone and when we arrived there were tons of hidden fees that we were not told about: a bed sheet deposit, kitchen utensil deposit, and a charge for using credit or ATM cards. This would not have been so horrible had the receptionist not been incredibly unpleasant with us. In general the atmosphere was unfriendly. The bathrooms were constantly filthy. Kitchen facilities were okay, as were the beds in the dorms.

Coogie is like little England. If you want to get laid, get drunk or get stoned then come here. But you won't find any cultural experiences. This place is ok with tours on the wall a mid-week barbie. The basement rooms stink of sweat and feet but as long as you can put up with that it's ok. All the English sit out the back with a cigarette and seem frightened to leave to security of Sydney.

This place is a typical, Pack ‘em, Rack ‘em and Stack ‘em hostel. Basically it's two large old places next to each other, 94 rooms, and four per room,. The basement rooms stink of feet, as no airflow circulates. It's ok for what it is; everyone sits out the back and moans about not finding work whilst having a fag (cigarette). It's 200 meters from Coogee beach and next to all the shops. Ok for a very short stay.

The Wizard of Oz was the first hostel we stayed in when we arrived in Sydney, in March 2003! It seems ages ago now but I will never forget how friendly the staff were, especially after I lost my purse on the first night. They helped me so much! Thank you again and I would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a good time. The Coogee Bay Hotel was awesome for a night out! Have fun whatever you do!

I loved this place. The people were so friendly, and I'm still in touch with many of them. The beach is just down the road, and so are the pubs!!! I do recommend, however, that you do NOT go in the fourteen-bed dorm for obvious reasons.

I stayed at the Wizard of Oz for over a month in October of 2003. I had the best time of my life. The Wizard has great character and staff. It is the perfect location to enjoy Sydney.