Recommended by Lonely Planet, Let's Go and Rough Guide. The Original Backpackers Hostel is Clean, Cool, Comfortable and well maintained. We are located in a quiet tree lined boulevard a short stroll from the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Darling Harbour.
As "The Original" Hostel in Sydney, we pride ourselves on our great reputation, friendly staff and warm social atmosphere.
As well as private rooms (double, twin, triple, and 4 bed) we have 4,6,8 and 10 bed dorms. All rooms have TVs and fridges, fans in summer and heaters in winter.
• Big modern kitchen with food lockers
• Theatre style TV room with Fox Sports, movie channel & free DVD's
• Security lockers
• High Speed internet access
• Luggage storage
• Laundry facilities
• 24 hour reception
• Linen Supplied
• Recommended by Lonely Planet, Lets Go and the Rough Guide
• Female only dorms
• Beautiful, clean, cool, comfortable and well maintained building
• Aussie BBQ every week
• Regular pub & club nights.
• Tour Desk
Book early as we are often full.
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Original Backpackers Reviews
Verified Reviews by our Community
Set on the edge of the redlight district of Kings Cross, The Original Backpackers Hostel is the oldest backpacker accommodation in Sydney. Sydney is an easy city to walk around and The Original is set on the edge of the city, so it's an easy walk to the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanical Gardens.
The Location
The Original is relatively easy to get to by mass transit. It's near the Kings Cross train station and it's a short (downhill) walk to the hostel, where there's an obvious sign. Kings Cross is not the greatest part of town -- it's also known as the Red Light District -- but the street on which the hostel is housed is relatively calm, on the outskirts of Kings Cross. There's a small park at the end of the road that's nice for relaxing and a grocery store is right by the train station.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are ok, but not the greatest. The Original has a lot of long-term guests who tend to take over the rooms with their stuff. The staff clean the rooms weekly and will ask guests to have all their belongings off the floor for them to clean; this usually results in everything being thrown back on the floor at the end of the day, but it's a nice idea. The bunks are plastic, but not terrible. One of the dorm rooms has a small balcony overlooking the street, which is very nice. There are lockers, but they tend to be buried in belongings and not specifically set aside for individual guests.
The bathrooms are clean and simple. There's not an excess of hooks or space, but there's good water pressure and temperature control.
Common Spaces
Common spaces tend to be a little intimidating when you first get there. Original is a big hostel so be prepared for a lot of people always around; though there's a big kitchen to accommodate everyone, sometimes it's just easier to go out to eat. Next to the kitchen is a TV room with a small bookshelf; an outside courtyard is on the other side of the kitchen. This area tends to be dominated by smokers and large groups of people eating together. This is definitely a smoky hostel, though guests are good at keeping smoke out of the rooms. It is also a party hostel, with the majority of the guests going out every night.
Summary
Overall, this is a decent, clean hostel, depending what you're looking for. With lots of long-term guests, it can be hard to make friends, unless you bond with other short-term guests.
Jenny
2014-01-28
Good time
The people who work there are very friendly and helpful. I met a lot of great people and it's in a great location for partying. I stayed in a single room ... it was small and the carpet wasn't very clean ... but it was a good hostel overall.
Anonymous
2011-09-01
USA
I loved it there
I stayed there when i was in between jobs for 30 days in 2007 and man what a Journey the place was so clean and quiet at night. I had a ball the people were so cool and kind. I was nervous being from another country but they took care of me always no problem they were so kind and cool. I love Bondi Beach everyday. This Place Rocks.
Dion DuBoyD
2011-02-04
USA Ames Iowa
Very nice quality hostel!
Best hostel in kings Cross and probably the best in Sydney. Clean and friendly, just as a hostel should be. The cost well matches the quality of it. It's not a hotel but still has a bit of class over it. Kitchen is small but well equipped and everything works! Great courtyard and TV room. It's not a single downside of this hostel if you take it for what it is, a real backpackers hostel.
Fredrik
2010-01-30
Sweden
Incredible!
This hostel is the mutts nuts, it's got everything you need. Great staff! Great Facilities! Its a clean as Mary mother of jesus! I cannot pick a fault with the place its awesome. If you're staying in Sydney and you want to have a good time do yourself a favour. Stay at Original Backpackers!
Sam Crosby
2009-06-07
England
Ok, only ok
Stayed in a double room Dec. '08. staff friendly and helpful, but kitchen too cramped. cleaners wake you up very early banging about and doing washing. (our room was near washing room so not good for this.) floor was weirdly damp and so smelled, think the wet room for the shower wasnt quite working! Overall ok for one night.
Sal
2009-01-02
UK
The Original Backpackers Hostel is centrally located and a good hostel for just about anyone. It is well run and laid out and, although very big, is welcoming and very accommodating.
The Location
The hostel is a huge Victorian building in Kings Cross. The hostel is easy to find and well signposted. It's just minutes' walk from Kings Cross train station and an easy to walk into town. However, the less attractive Darlinghurst Road and Oxford Street are also nearby, but not right on the doorstep.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Dorm rooms are large, have high ceilings, are clean with well-kept beds. All rooms have a large mirrors, TV, and fridge, so it is ideal for keeping people from pinching your food. They have private rooms and four-, six-, to twelve-bed dorms, which are obviously a bit cheaper. The door locks seem good and secure and the windows are lockable and barred. The staff are also available twenty-four/seven which is always helpful. The bathrooms are very clean, white, and funky, and there's lots of hanging space in each cubicle.
Common Spaces
The huge kitchen is in a big courtyard area with long dining tables and good big food preparation areas. The outside undercover seating area in the courtyard just outside the kitchen would be lovely in the summer months. The TV room is cosy with sofas and chairs but is fairly small. The three computers offer internet but no photo uploading and are available in the kitchen area. The staff and manager are very welcoming and eager to help and the hostel seems to be generally run very well.
Summary
Overall the hostel is very well run and welcoming. The rooms are much better quality than some rooms in Australia and are comfortable for long or short stays.
Leigh Rogers
2008-08-29
England
Very good
i stayed here for one month and it was awesome! The staff are really nice (except that cleaner who wakes you up a 9 in the morning yelling "I'll come back in ten minutes, everything has to be in order" -- really harsh girl!). The backpacker's really worth it! And plus, it's in Kings Cross, which really rocks! You're near to everything and you have a great view of the city!
Lou
2008-05-28
france
Original Backpackers Reviews from the Web
It's such a amazing hostel. I'm still living there and I just don't want to leave The main reason are the awesome people there. Feels like a big family. The staff ist the best (especially "moderater Schmetterling" ;))
The house is a lovely old building were you feel at home straight away and it only takes a few minutes to Town Hall by tram.
You can also walk to the CBD, Crossing the botanical gardens while enjoying a stunning view on the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and CBD.
jakobdi025162
2022-05-22
Would not wish this place upon my worst enemy.
No hot water, multiple cockroaches in my room, staff was impossible to get a hold of and rude or unhelpful in every interaction. Don't expect to get much sleep as people are encouraged to drink and party well into the night.
I will never stay here again and strongly encourage everyone else to steer clear.
jeffreymonticelli7662
2022-05-04
Fantastic hostel with free breakfast and multiple free dinner events in the week. We stayed in a 4 bed dorm for the 3 of us and had a fridge and lots of space for a very reasonable price. Good vibe around the hostel and people were friendly. Not the most social hostel in Sydney but can definitely make friends still. More of a quiet hostel. Only problem was the lack of reception staff which made it hard to receive help or advice when needed. Overall a great hostel and really enjoyed the stay.
cyrus7351592
2022-04-20
many cockroaches in the room and falling on our bed. The (No) solution of the managers was to give us a spray. the kitchen is very dirty and with dirty clothes and things on the floor. a rat in the yard the night manager seemed drunk and yelling you can pay the same for a real place
mlmalito884
2022-04-18
Great community feel to the hostel if you want to go somewhere where you can sit down and chat to new and interesting people across the world! A variety of long term residents as well as 1 night stoppers. Someone is always up for a chat in the communal areas! Some of the facilities may need a bit of TLC but there are lots of showers/bathrooms
bdmorris00
2022-04-09
Kitchen was a mess but except from that it's a pretty nice and chill hostel
MarWei98
2022-04-03
My partner and I stayed in the private room with the ensuite. Great room to be very honest, had a mini fridge amenities and a tv ! The hostel is easy access, secure and the vibe is great.
The kitchen area is big and the dining is an open air concept outside. Very lively and filled with plants. Hostel is on king cross so expect a bit of parties, but everyone was respectful after 10.
audreylgagne6392
2022-03-31
This place is so cool! Truly harkens back to classic days of hosteling.
No warehousing here. This isn't a factory. It's a down home, intimate, family-run operation. These guys are awesome.
Especially appreciated are the nooks all around. Lots of places to sit for a quiet chat or do some work. Can't beat the location. Internet coverage throughout.
I moved from a warehousing hostel. So glad I did.
Thanks for having me guys!
HistoryTraveler
2022-03-05
Booked a double room with ensuite for 3 days. Room was a good size and clean. Staff and other guests were very friendly. Will definitely book again on our next trip to Sydney.
rimmi_scott662
2022-01-13
They cancelled my booking 1 day before cause they have positive cases living in the hostel. That was 19 days ago and I am still waiting for my refund
jenniaristi
2021-12-30
The hostel is pretty good for the price. It is well located, friendly staff. The building is just too old and need to be more clean, but overall it was a good experience.
lbernardorodrigues8689
2021-12-27
We wanted a bed for the night and that's pretty much what we got. Not really clean, mattress smelled a bit, bathroom was functional but not clean or accommodating. Free breakfast was a bonus, and the location was great.
tomnicoll98945
2021-11-23
I had a wonderful experience
ngt6364
2021-10-17
The hostel is really nice, super Clean and has everything you need to enjoy it! :)
leidypalacios895471
2021-10-15
I had a great stay at the original backpackers.
The staff is nice and always ready to help and the management is well handled. There is a good ambiance and everyone there gets along very well. Feels like home.
The hostel has a great location, and the street is really calm . Very clean hostel.
I would definitely recommend to stay there.
charliepattison126500
2021-09-27
Top notch private room with common outdoor area outside, perfect location next to station, shops. The winter meant it was not busy with others but still met a few nice people. Heaters in the outdoor beer garden meant it wasn't intolerable to sit out there playing cards despite the pretty miserable weather. There is a heater in the room which was very very necessary, as was nicking a blanket off the top bunk (it was one of those rooms that has a double and a single bunk on top). Will stay again.
Anonymous
2021-06-18
I was not happy with a private room I got. It was not clean and there was no window in the room. The whole hostel looked very old and dirty unfortunately. I could not sleep the first night at all as there was an engine noise of st that was next to the room plus a cold room and uncomfortable bed.
hodaabouzari2986
2021-06-18
I had a great stay here it was only short but the facilities and staff were A++, thanks to Daniel and all the other reception staff for the tips on what to do...
highly recommended
jamisimpson1211157
2021-05-17
Might be the best hostel I've stayed in. Wonderful staff and brilliant atmosphere throughout the whole hostel. Couldn't recommend enough!
mathewwolstenholme1007
2021-04-05
Our experience was horrible we booked for long time in advance and when we arrived at 8pm at night time they say that accidentally someone was in our room. It was a horrible experience as we have to solve our matter at night time. The cleaninnes is terrible our room have many Cockroashes. The price is very expensive for the hostel , I will not recommend to stay in This hostel.
nicollsolano63523
2021-04-02
Description
Location and Contact
Location
A short walk from Kings Cross Station - leave the station via the Victoria Street exit, walk down the street towards the trees and houses, we are on the right hand side of the street.Map
Address: 160-162< Victoria, St Kings Cross, Potts Point, Kings Cross, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Original Backpackers is listed on the following booking sites:
Hostelworld Booking.com Not listed at HostelsClubWebsite
originalbackpackers.com.au/
Phone Number:
+61 2 9356 3232
To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Correction Form.
Facilities and Amenities
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Breakfast
Luggage Storage
Safe Deposit Box
Towels
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Airport Pickup ($10)
City Tours
24 Hour Security
BBQ Grill
Board Games
Book Collection/Exchange
Clothes Dryer
Concierge/Info Desk
Credit Card Payments
Entirely Non-Smoking
Evening Entertainment
Gameroom
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Karaoke
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
Outdoor Seating
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
TV
Table Tennis
Videogames
Walking Tours
Lockers in Rooms
Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Service Animals
Pet-Friendly
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: 40
Min. Age with Parent (dorms): 18
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: 18
Note: Private rooms available for all ages
Checkout: 10:00 (10 AM)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 24 Hours
Size: Very Large (100+ beds)
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