BUG review
Ayr Backpackers is an extension of a family's home, with some tired-looking accommodation out the back. They cater exclusively to long-term working holiday guests. The dorms are self contained with shabby kitchenettes and poorly-maintained bathrooms. There is a swimming pool and common area in the garden. The owners are friendly and helpful with finding work.
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This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
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Booking restrictions
Minimum one-week stay
Price Dorm bed $110 per week Transport to work $7 per day Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
They have a nice dog
Cons:
Ok 25 people one shower.
scottrolo
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 6073)
This place is the worst hostel i have ever stayed in. There are no locks on doors, you are cramped in tiny rooms, it stinks and to top it of you have to stick around for a entire week. But yes i have to say it is a working hostel but unless you like being shouted at for 8 hours a day by a frech guy on a power trip in a massive field then you will love your time in Ayr. It is a shame that the hostels in Ayr are both crap as it seems like a really nice place with alot to do.
6 of
28 people found this review helpful
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Beth
UK
All good stuff!!! 14 August 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Beth
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 9880)
Reading the other reviews of this hostel i was a little wary of staying here, however it was absolutely fine and not at all what i was expecting. The guys that run the place are lovely, really friendly and helpful, the place is also a lot cleaner than some hostels I've stayed in on the east coast! If you need work in Ayr then be sure to stay here.
11 of
15 people found this review helpful
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Martin Slane
London, England
Beware of thieves and torches at 5.00 am 2 July 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Martin Slane
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 9881)
Out of all the places ive stayed in on my 6 months of travelling, this has to be the worsed. Within one week my wallet was stolen (during my sleep) and my girlfriends phone was stolen. There is no key to each room. And every room has 12+ people staying there. Its OK 4 work but with the amount that we lost it wasn't worth it at the end of the day
11 of
15 people found this review helpful
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Marcus
Belfast, Ireland
basic but dry your eyes, your a backpacker 20 April 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Marcus
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 9882)
Ayr backpackers scared the hell out of me when i arrived. I thought that i would'nt last the day. Its basic and its full of really scary dirty people. I arrived there after sailing the Whitsundays in luxury and expecting that all of the coast would offer me the same. After four weeks of back-breaking work i became one of those scary dirty people and i enjoyed freaking out the newcomers with stories of snakes in the fields and wombat sized rats, all untrue. The owners are very friendly and treat you as you treat them. Enough showers and adequate cooking facilities but try and get on the 'light side' as opposed to the 'dark side' (stay and you will figure that one out). If you dont like your room move to another one as soon as a bed comes free. Easy as that. Like i said its work, its hard but after three days its also fun. TIP:Stock up on Neurofen and take two each day after lunch, you will need them.
23 of
28 people found this review helpful
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richie D
Dublin, Ireland
good craic! 5 April 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
richie D
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 9883)
we all know that fruit-picking is a last resort for us when we run out of money. if you're going to do it though, this is the town and the hostel to go to. there was a good atmosphere in the hostel, reasonable facilities considering everything. jeff and the gang who run the hostel are sound and you're guaranteed work (don't pick squosh!). good fun all-round. better than the hell-hole that is danny's anyway...staff there are bruisers too. stay in ayr backpackers when airlie beach kills your wallet..
6 of
12 people found this review helpful
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Michelle
Trune, Scotland
Dave from Bristol was paid to write that!!!!! 21 February 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Michelle
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 9884)
It disappoints me to see my fellow trekkers sell out like this. I stayed at wilmington house/ayr backpackers (no wonder they changed thier name) for one week, and could'nt wait to out of the place!! It is infested with bed bugs that the owners say can not be helped. It's like a shanty town! I moved to dannys backpackers and stayed a little over a month. the fruit picking is a challenge but a least the hostel was'nt a health hazad (could do with more showers though- if you guys read this) Ayr overall was good for work, but it is picking! P.S. I am not impressed with Dave from Bristol "the Sell-Out", that place was terrible!! (dear editor. sorry about commenting on another reveiw, but the truth needs to be read, feel free to change one-line summary)
22 of
23 people found this review helpful
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Dave
Bristol, UK
Better than staying at Dannys 11 October 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Dave
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 9885)
Basically, the people who run the joint are pretty cool as long as you don't take the piss. The facilities are cool and there's lots of work. They even wake you up so that you're not late for work.Considering Danny's was voted the third worst hostel in the world if you're going to Ayr to fruitpick then come here.
