Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach Tel (07) 4946 6001 or 1800 800 421 Websitewww.koalaresort.com.au
BUG Review
This place is large, impersonal and party-minded; but since everyone goes elsewhere to party, it seems they try to make their money by booking you into every tour and excursion they can. The dorms are in cabins in a big garden setting and they are spacious but rather dirty and many have a bad odour. The bathrooms have nice new tile and fittings and they each have a kitchenette. However the communal kitchen is just plain awful; it has a couple of old microwaves, hot plates and a fridge that looks like it is never used - or cleaned. There is a swimming pool and volleyball court and they have a good location, but don't expect any frills here.
Price Dorm bed $28 ($26.60 VIP) Double/twin room $72 ($68.40 VIP) Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Reception Open 7am-8.30pm
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Pros:
That I could leave after one night!
Cons:
Disgustingly dirty!
beada
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This has to be the worse hostel i've ever stayed at. I knew it didn't have a great reputation but it was the only place with available beds. The room was horrible, one bed was broken with a matress outside, and im doubtful that it had ever been cleaned, and as for the bathroom, I wouldn't let my dog even go in there!!! We ended up sleeping in our car and refusing to pay, avoid staying here at all costs!!!!
Pros:
Great atmosphere
Cons:
all pretty good i must say.
lozza21live
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(4)
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Great location, friendly staff and a great bar.
Sailing on the whitsundays was the best, i went on the card and i had a ball.
Koala staff were very friendly.
Enjoyed my stay here.
I have been to Noosa and Hervey Bay Koalas and now Airlie and all off them i have to say i have had the best time.
The staff are great and i had so much fun.
Best time ever, not only did morocco's rock, Airlie Beach is amazing.
I LOVED THE PRIDE OF AIRLIE and the PRIDE BAR. What can i say SO MUCH FUN!
I recommend it to everybody.
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(Review ID: 7479)
Awful, would not go again or recommend anyone too, January 12, 2008
Pros:
Leaving
Cons:
Dirty,poor rooms,the worst internet ever,ants everywhere
TVH
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The worst hostel i've ever stayed in.
The staff are mad to get your money. The rooms are crap, keys didnt work in door, no light in bathroom, very dodgy tv, "kitchen" was no more than a space in the corner with a sink, a bin and a beat up old fridge.
All the windows were broken and missing fly screens so plenty of flys and spiders about. Windows with no cover also means you are wake when the sun comes up!
Beds were so uncomfortable, probally cos of the non existent matress you have. You get no sheet for beds and one of the bunks is nicely placed on top of the 24hr air con unit!
Since i was up early i had a shower, since i am over 5ft 6 this was very hard as the shower head is so low down i should have gotten a chair.
Checked out in the morning and used the internet in reception, took 11 mins to open a web site and all computers were like this. Staff didnt want to know when i asked for my money back.
Dont go there ever and tell your friends the same!!!
Pros:
En-suite, more of an apartment than a hostel
Cons:
Blood on ceiling in bathroom and paper-thin walls
rachaelandy
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Airlie Beach is nice but the Koala isnt that great.We had a double with on-suite, it was in a two storey chalet which was quite big -you got a bed/ t.v with a kitchenette (kettle/toaster/plates/knifes/forks and cups) also sink and a fridge. No hobs in the room. Its like your own apartment, the overall style was very dated but it was clean - the bathroom had a shower and toilet with sink. There was some blood on the ceiling of the shower (weird) but the Koala was in a good location so we didnt mind 2 much.The communal kitchen is near the reception and its not very nice at all, because its outside there were loads of ants trailing through and mozzies etc. Not nice when your trying to cook your dinner!The laundry was out of order when we were there so we had to smell for a bit - only joking we went to a laundry down the road We didnt go in the pool but the lagoon across the road was very very nice.We ended up booking our own trips as the reception gets very busy.Internet access is in the reception but there is only 5 Computers. Also you have to hire pots and pans from reception but i wouldnt use the kitchen if you can help it !!
Pros:
Big double rooms
Cons:
One rude staff member, mice in luggage store.
manix
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(3)
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We stayed in Koalas in June 2006. We had booked two dorm beds through Peter-pans, but requested an upgrade to a double room. We got this for free, but I think that was more to do with the staff being un-organised rather than any generosity on their part. The double room was very big, with own little kitchen area and en-suite bathroom. The decor was mid 70`s and the bed was probably from the same era, only just off the floor. Apart from that, it was clean.We asked if we could have late checkout and the evening staff said that was fine. However the next morning we were scolded by the most rude and hostile member of staff I`ve come across in a hostel. WHY WERE WE LATE!! WHO HAD GIVEN US PERMISSION TO DO THAT!! etc etc.. This despite there being a sign up saying late checkout $5, which we would have been happy to pay.The bag store is large, and only opened on the hour, although that rule goes out of the window when its busy, so you can expect to be waiting 1/2 hr to pick up your bag during the morning check-in.Also, when they say don`t leave food in your bags, they mean it. The store is full of rats that will shred through your new Karrimore if they smell food - even sealed packet soups.Overall, bearable, but there has to be better places to stay.
Oz Exp books their tour groups into Koala's. If I had known better, I would have gone to the YHA down the street.The staff are probably backpackers themselves though they aren't the most sympathetic to customer service. I don't need much--abrupt or indifferent service is off-putting, especially if you've travelled to Airlie Beach with an insane bus driver who's already endangered your life on the road.Found the rooms to be poorly lit and dodgey. Glad that roommates were kind and respectful of space so we all tried our best to make sure that we didn't leave food around, etc. Television reception was poor but we were just grateful to have it in the room.Back path needs to be better lit. Almost wiped out because I didn't see the curb.
Pros:
Going somewhere else
Cons:
Filth, blood on walls and rude unhelpful staff
H Man
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This is without doubt the worst accom i have had to endure in all my time travelling. Medina's in Marakesh are cleaner, when i left this morning blood (seriously) was splattered all over the pavement, door and walls outside my room; the cleaner had ignored HUGE piles of rubbish for days and all night random punters from all over town had found thier way inside our room and belongings. The bedding is totally filthy and the swimming pool is a health hazard.As for the Staff-where do i start. Its OK to stare point blank at guests paying $25p/n and lie about facilities and importantly, jobs. Koala is huge on working for your accom costs-dont believe it-i wish i never found this place.As you may have gathered my experience was very disapointing. Truly, i dont expect too much. I've stayed in hostels, pensions and lodged all over the world and also have experience working in the industry. I was so appalled by Koala i implore on you all friends-STAY AWAY!!!
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(Review ID: 337)
Open air hostel around green area and pool, April 23, 2006
Pros:
Extra pool to messaround in
Cons:
Kitchen needs more equipment, more room space needed.
Combo The Cat
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As said not so much a 'Hostel' more mini resort with cabins around a pool and court with deck bbq area and kitchen... Nice to chill in... you tend to want to use the Airlie beach lagoon ... Everything in walking distance... Airlie is a 200m high street , Pool and marina. This is the Aus Exp drop off & Pickup. Note the Aus Exp bus don't wait.Also DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON YACHT CRUISES... avoid cheapest... est $400 ie AvatarNote this is a Jelly Fish ZONE SO skinny dip in the Town lagoon pool.javascript:emoticon('')
wowAlso check out Magnums bar other end of the street for wet t shirt/jellywrestling/foamparties/and MIXED pole dance coms where you can win the yacht cruises or $400... Lots of fun if enough people, save cash and cheer on the girls... Note wild cheery guys get to be water boy (or making mates with bar dude)Unfortunetley guys can only enter the pole dance one... most unfair...
Pros:
TV's, en-suite chalet type accom.
Cons:
Rooms being double booked
Steve-ido
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(3)
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Good hostel to stay in if ur about to sail the Whitsundays.
The rooms are very clean, and each one has a tv and its own bathroom.
There is also a swimming pool, and volleyball net (both of which could be better maintained though).
The staff are helpful, however, on our return from sailing, we (3 of us) were given keys to a room which was already at full capacity.
Overall, not bad, but could do better.
Dont go there ever and tell your friends the same!!!
')
wowAlso check out Magnums bar other end of the street for wet t shirt/jellywrestling/foamparties/and MIXED pole dance coms where you can win the yacht cruises or $400... 
Lots of fun if enough people, save cash and cheer on the girls... Note wild cheery guys get to be water boy (or making mates with bar dude)Unfortunetley guys can only enter the pole dance one... most unfair... 