Although Noosa can be a pricey destination, there are plenty of affordable hostels to choose from! This post shares (in our opinion), the 5 best hostels in Noosa.
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
Hostels in Noosa
Noosa is a backpackers haven and a typical stop on any east coast road trip. Years of backpackers travelling through has resulted in a great variety of hostels to choose from. Whether you’re in Noosa to party, you want to relax or be right in the heart of all the attractions, there is a hostel that is right for you. Our time in Noosa was spent living there, so we had a rental house and weren’t staying in hostels. However we have been able to visit a few of them and have a look around, and we can also comment on the location, amenities and reviews from other backpackers we have met. So here goes, our top 5 hostels in Noosa!
🏝️ Looking for more Noosa info? Check out our Noosa Travel Guide for everything you need to know to plan a visit. Or if you’re looking for things to do in the area, read this post.
1. Bounce Noosa
Bounce Noosa is the new kid on the block and has to be one of the fanciest hostels in Noosa. Opening mid-2021, this hostel feels more like a luxury hotel with dorms than a traditional backpackers hostel! Designed in a beach-club style, the rooms are centred around a central pool and bar. The decor is stunning, the kitchen appliances are top-notch and the vibes are upbeat and social. Bounce really aims for affordable, boutique luxury and they have absolutely hit the nail on the head. We were lucky enough to go and visit for a day by the pool when they first opened, and wow! This is nothing like any hostel I’ve ever stayed in before, and it’s sure to become one of Noosa’s most popular backpacker options.
Offering both very luxury private rooms, as well as 4 and 8-bed dorms Bounce is a good choice for couples, larger groups of friends or solo travellers. The location is absolutely perfect in Noosaville (which we think is the best part of Noosa!). You are just a very short walk away from the riverfront in Noosaville and the busy Gympie Terrace. And just across the road, there is a Woolworths supermarket and Dan Murphy’s bottle shop.
| Dorms | Yes |
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Ensuite rooms | Yes |
| Swimming pool | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Restaurant and/or bar on-site | Yes |
🏩 Find out more and book Bounce Noosa here
2. Halse Lodge
Halse Lodge is located right in the heart of Noosa Heads, just behind Hastings Street. In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than this if you want to be within walking distance to all of Noosa’s main attractions. But despite its location, the hostel feels very natural with plenty of lawns, gardens and rainforest. They offer 4, 5, 6 and 16-bed dorms, and twin or double private rooms, all with shared bathrooms. Included in your stay is the use of the pool table, table tennis table and other games. But the best bonus is the free surfboard hire!
| Dorms | Yes |
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Ensuite rooms | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Restaurant and/or bar on-site | Yes (currently not open due to COVID) |
🏩 Find out more and book Halse Lodge here
3. Nomads Noosa
Nomads is the classic backpacker option in Noosa. Nomads is the place to stay if you want to party, with a bar/nightclub on-site, KBs. Situated in the heart of Noosa Junction, you can have easy access to all the bars and restaurants along Sunshine Beach Road. As well as being within walking distance to Hastings Street, Main Beach and the Noosa National Park. Nomads offer private double rooms with shared bathrooms, a larger family room with an ensuite, as well as 4, 8 and 16-bed dorms with ensuites. There is a female-only 8-bed dorm. They have a swimming pool, volleyball court and all your other usual hostel amenities.
| Dorms | Yes |
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Ensuite rooms | Yes (privates and dorms with ensuites) |
| Swimming pool | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Restaurant and/or bar on-site | Yes |
🏩 Find out more and book Nomads Noosa here
4. Dolphin’s Beach House
Located in Sunshine Beach, Dolphin’s Beach House is a more chilled out option and gets great reviews from travellers. The hostel is set up in a unique way, with different mini houses. There are 4-bed dorms, private doubles with shared bathrooms, and private doubles with ensuites. Regardless of your room type, you will have a shared kitchen and lounge area, shared with just one other room, not the entire hostel. They offer free surfboard hire, a shuttle bus into Noosa, yoga classes and free Netflix and Stan. Although not right in the centre of Noosa, Sunshine Beach is a great little village and the hostel is on the main street, in walking distance to restaurants, the beach and a general store. Dolphin’s is a great option if are happy to be outside of the hustle and bustle of Noosa, and are looking for a more relaxed place to stay with more amenities to yourself.
| Dorms | Yes |
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Ensuite rooms | Yes |
| Swimming pool | No |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Restaurant and/or bar on-site | No |
🏩 Find out more and book Dolphins Beach House here
5. Noosa Flashpackers
Noosa Flashpackers is also located in Sunshine Beach and is within walking distance of the beach and town centre. Offering both private rooms with ensuites and shared bathrooms, as well as 4, 6 and 10-bed dorms, some with ensuites. They have a great outdoor set-up, with a beautiful pool and BBQ area. Noosa Flashpackers also offers free breakfast daily, free surfboard hire and free wifi. They have a weekly activity schedule designed to connect travellers (COVID dependent), and plenty of communal chill-out areas around the hostel.
| Dorms | Yes |
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Ensuite rooms | Yes |
| Swimming pool | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Restaurant and/or bar on-site | No |
🏩 Find out more and book Flashpackers Noosa here
Planning a trip to Noosa
🌞 Planning a trip to Noosa? Here are some quick tips to help you get organised!
Travel insurance: whether you’re an international visitor coming into Noosa from another country, or an Aussie visiting from another state, you should always travel with travel insurance. We swear by Covermore and have had nothing but positive experiences with them.
Renting a car: we highly recommend having a car to get around Noosa. You can browse and book rental cars here.
Airport transfers: if you aren’t picking up a rental car at the airport, the most affordable way to get to Noosa is via an airport transfer. Organise a transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport here, or from Brisbane Airport here.
Where to stay: there are so many great places to stay around Noosa for all budgets. Some of our top choices are listed below.
Hostel – Bounce Noosa
Caravan and camping – Noosa River Holiday Park
Mid-range – The Islander Noosa Resort
Splurge – Tingirana Noosa
Activities and tours: if you want to pre-book some tours and activities in and around Noosa, I recommend using Get Your Guide, which has a great range of options and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours prior. Browse Noosa tours here.
5 best hostels in Noosa
Although Noosa can seem a bit glam and expensive, it really does cater very well to budget travellers and backpackers. I hope this list of the best hostels in Noosa has given you some inspiration and ideas on where you can stay in the area, without breaking the bank at one of many fancy resorts. If you’re on a budget, but not into the hostel life, or you have a campervan, check out this post about caravan parks in Noosa. And if your penny pinching extends to food, read this post on the best cheap eats in Noosa. It is very possible to visit Noosa on a low budget, many of the best things to do are free! Happy (and cheap!) travels.
☀️ Don’t forget to check out our Noosa Travel Guide for more travel information and inspiration.
