60 Kembla Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 Tel (02) 4228 6765
BUG review
Wollongong Backpackers Keiraleagh is a big old house near the centre of Wollongong. The old building has loads of character and facilities include a cosy TV lounge with free Wi-Fi access, a small kitchen and a backyard with barbecue. Some parts of the hostel feel a bit cluttered, but it adds to the hostel's character.
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Price Dorm bed $20 Single room $30 Double/twin room $50-60 Three to four-bed private room $80-100 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
I loved the main table in the backyard, great place for people to come together over a few beers in the evening. Only downer was the flys but it's to be expected as it's the height of summer. Overall, a nice place to stay.
Pros:
lovely house, caring host, brilliant community
Cons:
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guppy
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 5193)
In the beginning I just needed a place to stay for a couple of nights. Soon I was to find out I did not want to leave Keiraleagh Backpackers again. This is a place like from a very good dream. You'll be greeted by a friendly family member and then taken on a tour through a curious beautiful house... Enter a cosy sitting room with soft sofas, a dining table and television (of course there's WLAN, too), walk through the adjoined kitchen area where you're always likely to meet someone for a chat and a cuppa. Then step outside for your first time into The Backyard. Tables, comfy sitting areas both in shade or sunshine, bbq, and a little garden. Anticipate to spend uncounted wonderful hours in this backyard.Any time, at day or night, you meet people in the yard to have a good time together, or the family dogs to cuddle. Things happen in the backyard. Good spirit is always there.
I used to get up early in the mornings for paragliding lessons and would regularly be greeted by one or more serene participants of last night's backyard event, preparing to go to sleep - for a quick chat while I made myself breakfast. The happy spirit of the community felt somehow like passing on the Olympic Fire - it never went out.
Remains to say the dorms are clean and pleasant, the facilities are clean and well maintained, the family is extremely helpful in Any(!) situation, and I stayed at Keiraleagh Backpackers until I had to go home to Europe.
When I left it felt like leaving home, and at times I still miss it.
One of the best places ive stayed at. Tidy and confortable to stay at + its got a great backyard! 13 June 2007
Pros:
The rooms are clean. Owners are friendly and keen to help always, the backyard is great for bbq, etc
Cons:
mmmm Can´t think of anything...
dianac.garcia
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 5158)
Is just a great house, where you honestly feel like being at home...A family owned place where everyone is keen to help you anytime of the day (and I mean it) A fun place to meet people and have a nice, either party or relaxing time...it all depends on the mood. The rooms are clean and tidy....I think the best about the hostel is the backyard...im really in love with it. Its great for bbq, night fires, parties, or just the perfect spot to relax with a coffee and a smoke...I really had a great time there....
Perfect atmosphere that made it easy to met new people 12 June 2007
Pros:
Open communal area great for either the relaxing times or partying and BBQ's
Cons:
Nothing stands out
moochacho12
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 5156)
It was the type of hostel which has the right atmosphere to make all people staying feel like a family, nobody seems to be left out of the fun had here.
Nice room, pity about the kitchen and communal areas. 22 April 2007
Pros:
The room was great - clean and appealing. A great place with lots of character as its an old house.
Cons:
The communal areas were filthy - particularly the kitchen.
Bcsomm
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 4662)
The room at Keiraleagh Backpackers was great - clean and fresh. The staff were exeptionally friendly and welcoming and the house had a lot of character. Unfortunately, the kitchen and communal areas were EXTREMELY filthy. I have stayed in a number of backpackers around Australia so know that communal areas get a bit dirty now and then - spilt tea/coffee/spices/toast crumbs - but in the main they are pretty good. This kitchen was beyond 'untidy', it was a health hazard. The fridge smelt, the sink was chock full of unwashed dishes and uneaten food. Plates/glasses/cutlery were hard to locate and overflowing ashtrays were everywhere. Management did explain that current long-staying guests were not cooperating with house policy but it did not make up for the fact that we had to use the facilities too. We provided comment upon checkout to managment so hopefully they take action.
Great place - I can't help but stop by whenever I'm in NSW 24 October 2006
Pros:
Relaxed and very friendly atmosphere
Cons:
Nothing springs to mind!!
felpsynz
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 915)
This is a great hostel to stay at and I make sure that whenever I'm in Australia I always set aside a day or two to come and relax here - sometimes it becomes a week or two!!
3 of
12 people found this review helpful
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Louise
USA
Awesome location, fun, peaceful 7 December 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Louise
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9754)
This place is awesome and has been the best place we have stayed in so far. The location of the house is great. A few minutes walk to the beach and bars.The owners are really cool. The huge old house has loads of history and character. It looks like it could have stared in an Australian Hitchcock film!The place is cool for chilling but also cool for partying. I would recommend a stay here for sure..
1 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Megan
France
Beautiful heritage house, fun, ex location, peaceful 30 November 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Megan
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9755)
I stayed in Kieraleagh for two weeks and I only intended to stay 2 nights. It felt like a home away from home. We had lots of party and fun. The huge garden was great for 'Aussie BBQs'!! I loved the hot pink toilet upstairs with the zebra print curtain..A place full of great atmosphere.The owners are a large fun family and live on site. The location is great..a few mins walk to the beach, art gallery and to the local bars. We found the bars in Kiera st to be quite boring but the ones along lower Crown st were better with live bands on most nights.I would definately recommend a stay here. You will meet loads of great people.
10 of
17 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Brisbane
Heritage house, Centre of town , Great Karma 24 November 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9756)
This hostel has a lot of charm and character and is perfect for those wanting to stay in a place with a difference. It is very clean with newly renovated bathrooms (the showers are great) and a very unique arty stye throughout. Not the run of the mill hostel. It has a perfect location. being only 5 mins walk from Wollongong Central railway station, and 1 min from the shopping mall, cafes, nightclubs, pubs and only 2 blocks to the beach. I really enjoyed my stay as there is a nice garden barbeque and lawn area to relax in or to socialise in .There is also a covered verandah at the front of the hostel with balinese lounges were you can relax and watch the world go by. The management were very layed back and welcoming and allowed us to enjoy ourselves in this peaceful environment . The heritage style of the hostel , with its high patterned ceilings and timber floor boards and staircase is one that I enjoyed immensely. The owners have created a haven in the middle of town that is very down to earth and unique. I would much prefer this type of accommodation the new featurless YHA hostel.
9 of
17 people found this review helpful
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Shane W
Sydney, Australia
Quiet, great location, a little run down 7 July 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Shane W
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 9757)
This place was alright. I was just staying for a full day and one night and it did the job. It was very quiet.It's a great location seeing you're less than 5 minutes walk from the beach and the mall and shopping centre, the visitors information centre is on the same street, and it's a 15-20 minute walk to the train station which isn't too bad.It's actually an old house converted into a hostel with a nice backyard and frontyard.I couldn't give this 5 stars as the place looked like it needed some renovations and the reception weren't there half the time. I think a family was running it and they were out for the day when I was there (a Sunday, which is fair enough that they were out).If I was staying there again for a week though, I'd probably consider the YHA.However for location and convenience over a short period, this is very central.
