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Hostel Coles Bay Iluka YHA Reviews
Verified Reviews by our Community
Fairly budgeted, clean, tidy, basic facilities, bad beds and linen
Positive -- Things in YHA were tidy and neat, kitchen is clean. Negative -- No heater in room [don't know how warm it will be during winter]; futon beds are way too soft, guess they must be cheap to buy so a big no to this YHA if soft bed is not your thing; linen -- a small, one-piece cloth acting as a sleeping bag was provided (If you do want something to separate you and the previously used pillows, quilts, and beds, another no for you); very basic common room.
The Cole’s Bay YHA (also known as Iluka Backpackers) is located just off the main road in Cole’s Bay, a tiny little town on the edge of Freycinet National Park. It is part of the Iluka Holiday Centre, which offers all sorts of accommodation as well as a tavern/bistro, coffee shop, fish and chips shop, and a small supermarket. Basically this is a one-stop shop for those visiting the park, as you have everything you need right there. There is not much else to the town of Cole’s Bay, which is basically just a home base for visiting Freycinet. It is just across the street from a bay and picnic area, and about a two-minute drive to the National Park.
The hostel is very clean and fairly comfortable, if a little bit dull. The rooms are a bit cramped, but there is an abundance of common areas, so it’s not really a problem. The kitchen is very spacious as hostels go, with doubles and triples of everything (you don’t need to worry about fridge space here) and a convenient “free food” shelf set aside where you can take advantage of food people have left as they moved on. There is a very large kitchen table and cozy wood stove, making the kitchen a pretty sociable place. There are tons of chairs and couches in the two common rooms and one outdoor patio, as well as a TV and tables. There were board games in one of the cupboards, (important as there is basically nothing to do in Cole’s Bay after dark), but they seemed to disappear when we needed them -- probably because reception tells the guests of the caravan park and cabins that they can come use whatever they want in the hostel. The bathrooms are clean with lots of hot water, though some of the showerheads are a bit dodgy.
This hostel knows what it is -- a place to rest and recover after long days of hiking mountains or walking beautiful beaches. It’s nothing special, but it’s more than adequate for those purposes. Everything you need in a place like Cole’s Bay, where the real attraction is the outdoors.
There is only one hostel in Coles Bay -- Iluka is the same thing as the Coles Bay YHA. Anyway this place is decent (not that you have much choice -- it's the only one!). My only worries was it was cold in the winter as the stove was broken and no in-room heating, and I didn't find the staff very friendly. But the beds were super-comfy, the kitchen was fab, and wallabies hopped outside on the yard which provided entertainment as there was only one other person staying there (it was winter).
The staff are amazingly helpful and courteous. We didn't stay in the hostel per se, but in a trailer in the larger campground. The grounds are well-maintained, the views are amazing, and for the large number of guests we saw, the campground is quiet. Can't say enough about the helpfulness and hospitality of the staff.
Description
Location and Contact
Location
Bus: Bicheno Coach Service meets Redline Coaches or TassieLink Coaches from Hobart or LauncestonAddress: Esplanade, Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia
Hostel Coles Bay Iluka YHA is listed on the following booking sites:
Not listed at HostelworldWebsite
www.ilukaholidaycentre.com.au
Facilities and Amenities
Family-Friendly Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Luggage Storage
Parking
Towels ($3)
ATM
BBQ Grill
Bar
Book Collection/Exchange
Clothes Dryer
Credit Card Payments
Entirely Non-Smoking
Food/Restaurant
Hot Showers
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Pool Table
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
TV
Airport Pickup
Breakfast
Lockers in Rooms
Wheelchair Accessible
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
Pet-Friendly
Service Animals
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (dorms): All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: 18
Checkout: 10:00 (10 AM)
Curfew: 00:00 (12 Midnight)
Lockout: 10am - Noon
Maximum Stay: 14 nights
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM (08:00-18:00)
Size: Medium (30-60 beds)
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