BUG review
Right down the street from the centre of town, this little place is charming and laid-back. It is usually full of surfers who come for the great point break at the beach across the street, and backpackers who stop in before heading to Byron. The kitchen and the toilets are in bad repair, and the TV room is dark and stuffy but the dorms are extremely clean and well maintained. They offer free use of surfboards and body boards.
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Price Dorm bed $32-36 Double room $77-86 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
Location - beach and lake within 100m
Cons:
Dorms would be a bit cramped if full
AnnaL
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 14562)
This hostel is in a great location - 100m to either the beach (including the patrolled area) or Lake Ainsworth, the tea-tree stained lake. Perfect for using the many watercraft for hire (now for a once off fee of $5) - surfboards, boogeyboards, windsurfers. It's about a 10 min walk into town, but the local buses to/from Ballina, Byron and Lismore stop right out the front so you shouldn't have to walk far at all with all your gear.The owners are very friendly and helpful with advice on transport, places to eat etc. I stayed at a quiet time and they spread everyone out rather than jamming you all in one or two dorms (which I've seen happen at other hostels). There were quite a few long term visitors, including some who'd stayed way longer than they intended because it was such a good spot.The kitchen has heaps of fridge and cupboard space and is well equipped.All in all, highly recommended as a relaxed place from which to spend beach/lake time.
Best kept secret on the east coast! 14 October 2006
Pros:
Right beside the beach, very peaceful and chilled atmosphere
Cons:
Nothing bad to say about it.
citygirl36
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 883)
This is the best kept secret on the east coast. You have got to check this place out!
4 of
12 people found this review helpful
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Carolyn
New Zealand
A secret treasure 6 January 2006
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Carolyn
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9075)
This is my favourite place in the world. Who needs Fiji or Bali when it's all there in Lennox Head? Graeme, the owner, knows everyone by name and makes your stay extra special. If you're lucky enough to be there at Christmas, as I was, Graeme and Anna put on croissants and champagne by the beach! What a way to celebrate away from home, watching the dolphins surf the waves.I also recommend Lennox Head in winter - the weather is still warm and sunny, but the crowds are gone and you have this paradise to yourself. Graeme will teach you how the windsurf, and also makes a mean chocolate cake. And if you have aches and pains, Anna and Graeme offer Bowen and Reflexology treatments.It's a little off the beaten track, but make the effort - you won't be dissapointed.
16 of
16 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Ireland
Great place to stop for a few days. 3 September 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 9076)
Loved it here. Hostel was small and friendly and very reasonable. Room was lovely. But gap under door was just big enough to allow cockroaches in! But put a stop to that easy enough. Located right beside Lake Ainsworth which was lovely. Make sure to ask about the chocolate cake!
15 of
15 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Vancouver, Canada
Fantastic place, great people! 8 December 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9077)
I loved Lennox Head... the hostel is great. Graeme was so nice and accomodating, and they offer great advice on what to do in the area. Surfboards, bikes, paddle skis, everything is available for a one-time $5 maintenance fee... and Graeme even offered to teach me to windsurf for free! The beach is great, beautiful and nearly empty, and a walk up to the headland is definitely recommended as it's so beautiful! And Lake Ainsworth is so cool, it's actually brown from the tea trees! I would definitely visit this hostel again, they made me feel so at home in this lovely town.
2 of
21 people found this review helpful
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Jeff Grimshire
Nakusp, Canada
The friendliest hosts and the best location! 10 October 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Jeff Grimshire
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9078)
I spent 1.5 years travelling in Australia and the Lennox Head Backpackers was my home-away-from-home. Graeme and Anna make you feel like you are part of their family. If you've got sore muscles from spending hours in the surf they can heal you with reflexology, massage or Bowen Therapy. If you've got the blues you are in luck because nobody bakes a better chocolate cake than Graeme (well, except for me). Lennox is usually a quiet little town but is only a 15 minute bus ride from Byron Bay if you need a night-club fix. There are so many good surf breaks around and you can't do much better that the point when it's going off. I had the best time there and I made some real friends.
