Reef Lodge Backpackers is listed at the following booking sites:
Booking.comIt is the only way to book Reef Lodge Backpackers
So get the best deal, save money and travel longer.
Clean but unfriendly
Pros -- Clean rooms; good location, situated just around the corner of bars, restaurants as well as the harbor for day trips to magnetic island. Cons -- unfriendly staff, we didn't feel at home or wanted as guests at all.
Best lodge I have stayed at.
Reef Lodge, Townsville has a warm, friendly, homey environment. It's clean and tidy. Well cared for. Has excellent facilities and the hosts were always accommodating. I was always made to feel welcome and would recommend this to anyone. Every day at Reef Lodge was an awesome day.
Completely overrated
We stayed at reef lodge for 3 nights (6-9 of september 2013) on recommendation of a travel guide that rated reef lodge to the best hostel in Townsville. PROs -- Blanket and linen provided; Clean kitchen (camera surveillance everywhere, you're pretty much forced to clean up otherwise you'd lose your 20$ key deposit); Laundry facilities; Clean rooms, double beds are stable; Relaxed atmosphere (nice deco style), hammocks; Really small hostel but situated just around the corner of the clubbing street. CONs -- Camera surveillance basically everywhere but in rooms and toilet facilities, you feel watched everywhere; Small rooms -- really annoying when everybody has big luggage; Wifi did not work when we were there, no idea if they fixed it; Only a few toilets for many people, dark toilet & shower rooms. But the worst thing was -- really unfriendly staff! No welcoming hello -- pissed off face, annoyed explanation of rules and area around hostel, we didn't feel at home or wanted as guests at all! Betraying: -- we said we'd like to have the cheapest dorm available because we were just staying there for a few nights. Instead of a 6 bed room dorm for 22$ they gave us a 8 bed room dorm with air-con for 24$ without telling us ... We did neither asked nor wanted an air-con which explains the 2$ more per night and person. We would not have found out about this if we didn't meet others who had a cheaper dorm with less beds AND beds free! Felt a little bit deceived. Unfriendly -- When Asking if there's wifi available for free (as the travel guide said), only tight-lipped answer that it does not work -- no info when it would be fixed/or why. Strict -- would send you to bed like your parents when staying up later than 11pm and chilling at chill out area (what's the purpose of a chill-our area then?) even when music turned out and talking calmed down + no guests allowed at all, not even over day. This hostel is COMPLETELY overrated -- no idea how the book could think it would be the best hostel Townsville offers. The chilled-out atmosphere is quite nice and relaxing, but the staff are definitely unfriendly and seem to dislike their job which makes you feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.
Poor management and has very small communal areas
Just returned from reef lodge. I took students for a conservation holiday. I was placed miles away from my students and people were up all night -- especially around 3AM after the pubs closed. I expected noise as we were close to pubs but what I didn't expect was to be told off at 8AM for being too noisy and to be considerate of other guests! I was simply giving instructions to my students as they were located in all different rooms away from each other. I was also not impressed when playing cards one night to be told off again for using the pool table as the card table. Pretty hard to find a location to do this as all other areas were filled with people smoking pot all day long. The kitchen was not well equipped and I had to put all the food into the students fridges as there was no room in the main one. You basically had to fight for a stove element. Was not impressed with the facilities or the management team.
Great time
The hostel is a nice place to stay. I'm here for two month now and i really like it. The rooms are not to basic and clean. Also the bathrooms and the kitchen (except the other backpackers didn't clean their stuff). It's a few minute walk to the beach, to the pubs and to the shops. The owner is strange. But if you follow his rules you shouldnt have problems with him. I really enjoy my time here and i met a lot of nice people. A unforgettable time.
Nice stay!
On the 23. December 2010 we were supposed to be on the way to Mission Beach! It was canceled, because there was a flood in Queensland and no Greyhound Buses running up to the north. So we were stuck in Townsville. The manager was very helpful and friendly. Every day we had to check if the buses were running, so he already made a reservation for the room, so in case when the bus is not running we have a place to stay. The most visitors had the same situation so we had a good atmosphere. The manager offered us at Christmas day a FREE barbecue. Finally we could continue our travel, so we checked out at 10.00 am. but we could still use the tv "room". We strongly recommend this fantastic place!
Ok, not great
Room was a good size, but very noisy, the outside TV area was good with sofa hammocks to laze in. It is not six hundred meters from the transit centre though so do not believe them. it was a very far walk, especially in the rain with our bags!
Single girls, do not stay here.
The owner/manager is creepy. He is all friendly and smiling when i checked in and his wife was around but when we were alone later that night he became very touchy feely and was a different person. He didnt actually do anything wrong but he would stare at me and touch me all the time and i didnt like it, so i checked out after two days. I went to another hostel and felt much safer. If you're a girl and traveling by yourself dont risk the feelings that i had, yuck, give Reef lodge a wide berth. Its not a good to be creeped out where you are living. I had a job in Townsville and was going to stay for three weeks but not in that place.
I only spent a few days at Reef Lodge but found it to be a pleasant place to stay. It was clean and well maintained and the staff helpful. If I was in Townsville again I would stay there again.
Cheers Paul
Booked a private double room for one night. After completing payment on arrival, the man working reception realised that they didn't actually have that room available, only a private twin. We weren't happy but accepted as it was a bit late to seek other accommodation. I then asked about a reduced price for the twin room. He denied this and justified it by saying something about website wouldn't allow it, blah, blah.
Room smelled VERY bad.
Kitchen facilities looked good, although didn't use
Atmosphere
Liked: Clean and welcoming large space was nicely decorated Didn't like: Check out 10am but you have to actually leave the place at 12:30 so if your coach is late you'll be stranded with all your bags.
Liked: Near to the bus terminal. Decent size room. Free pancakes and hot dogs were yum! Didn't like: Staff are very rude and unwelcoming, as if you have inconvenienced them in paying to stay at their property.
Liked: Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff! Didn't like: Nothing
Liked: Near to the bus and ferry terminal. Didn't like: Bad atmosphere, passive aggressive notes EVERYWHERE. Feels like you are back at school. Staff were not friendly at check in, or when dealing with them later. Seemed like an inconvenience to deal with guests and was told to "come back later" over an intercom. Dingy room with no natural light and bathrooms smelled pretty bad.
Liked: Very good equiped kitchen Didn't like: Nothing
Liked: Nothing to add Didn't like: No problems
Liked: Laid back atmosphere Didn't like: Nothing
Liked: The Reef Lodge offers unlimited free wi-fi, which functions just fine, a big plus! The tv-area is also nice, with comfy couches and fans. Didn't like: The kitchen was quite small, with only ond water tap and two stoves, so you often needed to wait fot others to finish cooking of doing their dishes.
I liked the quiet atmosphere and that the hostel was really clean. Also it has a lot of space to hang out.
Character and conveniant location.
Secure ,clean, comfortable hostel with great areas to relax in.
Here is a video of Reef Lodge Backpackers. The video gives you a better understanding of what you can expect.
Address: 4 Wickham Street, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
+50 Traveller
Digital Nomads
Family-Friendly Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Lockers in Lobby (from $2)
Luggage Storage (From $2)
Safe Deposit Box (from $1)
Towels
24 Hour Security
Air Conditioning
BBQ Grill
Board Games
Book Collection/Exchange
Clothes Dryer
Credit Card Payments
Darts
Entirely Non-Smoking
Evening Entertainment
Gameroom
Gym/Fitness Room
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
Outdoor Seating
Pool Table
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
TV
Videogames
Walking Tours
Airport Pickup
Breakfast
Lockers in Rooms
Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Service Animals
Pet-Friendly
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (dorms): 18
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: 18
Note: Quiet time and no alcohol after 10-30pm.
Checkout: 10:00 (10 AM)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 8-00am -- 8-00 pm
Size: Large (60-100 beds)
Get access to exclusive hostel content
Have you stayed at this accommodation? Help your Hostelz Community by leaving a detailed review.
Create your free account to keep track of your hostel portfolio.
Did not find the hostel you are looking for?
See all 3 hostels in Townsville