While you’ll no doubt want to make the most of city life in Australia, after a while, you might crave something a little quieter and more intimate than Sydney and Melbourne. That’s where Noosa comes in. You’ll find it just two hours north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast.
There are two reasons to come to Noosa – one is to enjoy the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the town’s bars, restaurants, and beaches. Another is to take day trips out onto the Sunshine Coast. It’s here that you’ll be able to take 4 x 4 trips out to remote beaches, hike volcanoes, and of course, revel in the beauty of Noosa Heads National Park.
Whichever version of Noosa you want to get to know, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. And that’s when things start to become an issue. It’s difficult to holiday in Noosa on a budget. Difficult, but not impossible. With that in mind, we’ve scoured the best budget accommodations in Noosa and come up with this list.
Packed with lodges, retreats, and of course, hostels, this is the comprehensive list of where to stay in Noosa on a budget.
So, let’s take a closer look, and you can start planning your Aussie vacation!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Noosa
- Overall Best Hostel in Noosa – Nomads Noosa
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Noosa – Dolphins Beach House
- Best Cheap Hostel in Noosa – Noosa Flashpackers
- Best Hostel for Couples in Noosa – Halse Lodge
- Best Gay-Friendly Hostel in Noosa – Hideaway Noosa Men Only Beach Resort
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Noosa – Robyn’s Nest – Hosted, Bed and Breakfast
- Best Hostel With a Private Room in Noosa – Beechs’ Brook Rainforest Retreat
Best Hostels in Noosa
If you’re road tripping Queensland, this is the place to stop over! We’re sure by now that you can’t wait to get to know Noosa and the surrounding natural wonders. But first, it’s time to decide where you’re staying.
All seven of the awesome hostels and budget accommodations have their distinct character and personality – and it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your travel style. If you’re looking for something a bit more special, check out the awesome cabins in the Sunshine coast too. Back to the hostels though – let’s jump straight in!
Overall Best Hostel in Noosa – Nomads Noosa
- $
- Great location
- Bar/Restaurant
- Tropical Gardens
Based around tropical gardens, there’s so much on-site you might not have time to get out into the national park. We’re talking a volleyball court, swimming pool, bar, and cafe. There’s a bar and restaurant at the hostel too so that you can sack off the expensive restaurants in town!
If you’re backpacking the Sunshine Coast on a budget, this will be your go-to hostel. With hostels in Sydney and Byron Bay, Nomads is a good bet if you want a solid and reliable chain choice. Though it’s a chain, it still has plenty of its own charm and character with a reliable value – which makes it the overall best hostel in Noosa!
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Noosa – Dolphins Beach House
- $
- Seven kitchens
- Pool table
- Book exchange
If you don’t like waiting to use communal kitchens, Dolphins might just be the place for you. There’s not one, nor two, but SEVEN kitchens! And if you’d hope for more from a hostel than just multiple kitchens, 1. we don’t blame you and 2. Dolphins Beach House offers that! You can get free bodyboard and surfboard hire and even yoga classes at no extra cost! There’s a choice between a private room (great for couples) or a dorm.
Best Cheap Hostel in Noosa – Noosa Flashpackers
- $
- Free breakfast
- Free surfboard hire
- Nightly activities
This is one of the most popular hostels in Noosa, and it’s not hard to see why. As well as a chilled out and friendly atmosphere, there are a whole lot of freebies on offer, including surfboard hire, breakfast, and nightly activities. And why would you say no to any of those?! It’s also in an excellent location – with nothing in Noosa too far away! This is an awesome place to stay if you’re travelling alone; the events range from all you can eat pizza and movie nights to BBQs with party games!
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Noosa – Halse Lodge
- $$
- Shared Lounge
- Garden
- Excellent location
When you’re travelling with your other half, you’ll want to avoid sharing a sweaty, noisy dorm when possible. But that doesn’t mean checking in to a hotel and losing out on the hostel vibe! Halse Lodge is in Noosa Heads, right by the main beach. And while you’ll be able to have complete privacy in your room, there’s a shared lounge and garden where you can chill out and chat to other travellers. If you’re too tired to talk after a busy day of exploring, you can at least rely on the evening entertainment to get you laughing!
Best Gay-Friendly Hostel in Noosa – Hideaway Noosa Men Only Beach Resort
- $$$
- Male only
- Outdoor pool
- Hot tub
Gay and bi men travelling to Noosa will be delighted to find this resort that caters especially to their needs. Centred around a pool, there are several sun loungers and even a hot tub – and clothing is optional! It’s also just a minute from the stunning Peregian Beach. There are no dorms here, but a range of double rooms and suites means it’s perfectly suited to solo travellers or couples.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Noosa – Robyn’s Nest – Hosted, Bed and Breakfast
- $$$
- Free breakfast
- Outdoor pool
- Shared lounge
For those travelling with their laptops, it’s usually okay to splash out a little extra if you’re going to have a solid and reliable place to work. That’s exactly what you’ll get at Robyn’s Nest! More of a bed and breakfast than a hostel, this comfy property has a continental breakfast each morning – the ideal fuel before a busy day at your laptop. When it comes to taking a break, you can either take a refreshing dip in the pool or chill out with new friends in the lounge.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Noosa – Beechs’ Brook Rainforest Retreat
- $$$
- Free breakfast
- Rainforest garden
- Patio
If you don’t mind staying a little away from Noosa’s centre, then you’ll be delighted with this retreat. The rainforest bed and breakfast is perfect for nature lovers who hope to see exotic birds or perhaps a koala before they’ve even had breakfast. Speaking of breakfast – that’s included in the price; enjoy it on your patio with a view of the garden. This beautiful property will suit groups of different sizes – the smallest comes with a queen bed, while the larger two-bedroom suite can accommodate up to four guests.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Noosa Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why You Should Travel to Noosa
To enjoy an charming town without all the hustle and bustle, add Noosa to your Australia itinerary. Not only can you spend some time chilling out in the town, but also exploring the surroundings of the Sunshine Coast. There’s also fascinating indigenous culture to learn about; much of Noosa is in the ancestral land of the Kabi Kabi people.
If you’re still struggling on where to stay in Noosa, that’s completely understandable. Scratch the surface, and you’ll find several great spots that won’t break the bank! What we’d say is you can’t go far wrong with your top Noosa recommendation – Nomads Noosa. It offers great value for money and an awesome location. And why would you say no to a free breakfast and surfboard?!
FAQ about Hostels in Noosa
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Noosa.
Travel Safety Tips for Noosa
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Noosa
Want to see dunes covered in tropical rainforest? That’s possible on Fraser Island. How about a road trip along the Great Beach Drive? Or perhaps you just want to chill out on a golden sand beach and disconnect from the world. Few places offer all of that, but Noosa ticks all of those boxes and much much more. It’s the perfect place to get to know Australia on a deeper level than just travelling to its most popular cities.
To make the most of it, make sure to sort your Noosa accommodation as soon as possible. While there are few hostels, you can at least see from our list above that there are plenty of places to choose from if you’re on a budget. All that you have to decide is if you want the traditional backpacker hostel, a rainforest retreat, or a romantic lodge where you and your partner can cosy up!
If you’ve already been to Noosa and feel we’re missing somewhere, do let us know in the comments below!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
