42-44 Denison Street, Hamilton Bus 201, 222, 226, 230, 231, 317, 322, 334, 349, 350, 363 Train Hamilton Tel (02) 4969 3436 or 1800 333 436 Websitewww.newcastlebackpackers.com
BUG Review
This hostel is in a residential neighbourhood convenient to central attractions. It has a summer cottage feel to it, with a nice swimming pool in the back. The walls are freshly painted, and more (much needed) renovations are in order. Facilities include table tennis, DVDs and a laundry. The kitchen facilities could be better and the bathrooms are run-down, but the hostel has potential. It is under new management, and the owner is talkative and helpful.
Price Dorm bed $28 ($27 HI/YHA, ISIC, VIP) Double/twin room $60-85 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards MasterCard,Visa
Reception Open 8am-10am & 4pm-8pm
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Pros:
Feeling like you were more at home
Cons:
Strange activity of the spiritual variety
rachaelandy
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
We arrived at the hostel -not sure what we expected!!The hostel is split into two - there is one house that is dorm based and the other house has four bedrooms and kitchen/living room used for couples and people wanting private facilities. We had a double room and it was really nice, it was a high ceiling room with a nice bed, t.v and wardrobe space. There is one room that the reception lady lives in but she is at work all day and late at night so we didnt really see her in the house. We had a communal bathroom to ourselfs as there wasnt anyone else staying in the house at that time. The bathroom was nice and clean and looks very new.The kitchen is fully equiped with Oven/hobs/toaster/kettle/microwave and fridge. It looks quite new and is kept clean. There was also patio doors that go into a back garden. There is a internet machine and communal kitchen/t.v room. They also have washing/drying facilities.We didnt see a pool there!The hostel is quite far from the shops and beach but you can walk or catch a free bus. The beach is nice. We both thought we heard weird things in that house at night but we didnt see anything so we put it down to the fact its just an old creaky house! They do pick ups from the greyhound stop.
Pros:
Nice relaxed hostel with a (small) pool
Cons:
A bit of a trek from anywhere and wierd shower arrangements!
That Bloke
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
I only spent 4 nights in this hostel but I quite liked it. The facilities are pretty good (table tennis, pool table, etc) and pretty friendly staff helps. The nice thing was that you didn't feel like the hostel's sole purpose is to part you from your cash, which is always refreshing!The strangest thing about the place is the shower situation. Especially if you are in the (14 man!) dorm. Basically the dorm is next to reception and the showers are actually directly off the reception itself. I don't mean into a shower room here, I mean into the shower itself! The same is true of the toilet. It can be really offputting being in the shower and listening to everyone checking in and out, and the same on the toilet!The TV room closes at 11, and the fact that the TV room and kitchen are in the same place means that actually hearing the TV can be a major problem. The fact that the fridges are noisy makes it worse as well.Overall, a pretty friendly hostel but I would only go back there again if the YHA and Nomads up near the beach were booked up.
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(Review ID: 9085)
Really pleasant place., August 2, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I found the location the most convienient. All the others were a long way from the supermarket and the going out street. I caught the train from Sydney and it was close to Wickham and Hamilton stations which are still in the city, but it didnt matter as they pick-up for free from everywhere and drop back to the bus station and even Broadmeadow station. It had a nice tropical garden and pool and a heaps better atmosphere.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9086)
nice, small, clean, June 19, 2003
Reviewer:
Squakz
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
this place was pretty nice- stayed there for a few days. the people are chill. Its small- which makes it friendly. Nice pool- good setup in general.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9087)
Poor quality, January 20, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
This place was not a place to relax, we found it a bit of a dive. We booked a bed and had to leave we felt that uncomfortable. The dorm rooms are very unwelcoming.
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4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9088)
Great, friendly atmosphere!, April 24, 2002
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
Backpackers Newcastle may be a little far from the city centre, but the atmosphere and the freindly staff make up for it. You feel like your at a home away from home, which is a rare find when your travelling. If your looking for a place to relaxe, this would be it.
