Surfers Paradise is a super fun, action-packed resort town located along the Gold Coast. It’s a hub for backpackers (people literally spend months here) and, of course, surfers are pretty keen on it too. So are students.
The stretch of beach here is absolutely massive, but the high-rise town itself is packed full of friendly locals and bars and clubs to keep you entertained.
But being a pretty well-known tourist town, and backpacker town, too, how could you possibly decide on a place to stay? (There are loads of ’em).
Don’t worry! We got you. Below you’ll find the best hostels in Surfers Paradise, all arranged into categories. We’ve done all the legwork for you, making your life easy when it comes to choosing a Surfers Paradise hostel that’s best for you.
So, what are you waiting for? Cast your eyes over our handy list!
Photo: @Lauramcblonde
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Surfers Paradise
- Best Overall Hostel in Surfers Paradise – Bunk Surfers Paradise
- Best Party Hostel in Surfers Paradise – Budds In Surfers
7 Best Hostels in Surfers Paradise
It’s probably no surprise to you that backpacking Australia’s East Coast involves a lot of beaches, some serious sun, and a whole heap of cool people. So let’s start with the best of the best… my favourite hostels in Surfer’s Paradise.
Bunk Surfers Paradise – Best Overall Hostel in Surfers Paradise
This is the best overall hostel in Surfers Paradise because of a lot of things: these include the ace location right next to the beach (100 metres), super cool dorm rooms, and its pool… and hot tub. So there’s a lot going for this Surfers Paradise backpackers hostel, that’s for sure.
The whole place has been completely renovated and the beds have privacy screens and power points, which is just perfect for the modern backpacker – like yourself (probably). It’s also got private balconies, it’s clean and it’s a short walk to a load of cool places to eat and drink.
Budds In Surfers – Best Party Hostel in Surfers Paradise
This place really works hard to make sure everyone feels welcome and has a good time, which is the best sorta vibe you want when you’re checking into the best party hostel in Surfers Paradise. It’s a casual kinda place with a buzzy atmosphere: if you wanna party, there’s always something going on.
Events (and perks) include a big backpacker night out, and bar crawls, as well as nightly dinner and bar deals. But of course, if you wanna stay in – sure! You can just play a few games of pool and grab some cheap drinks from the hostel bar. Easy.
Down Under Hostels by The Beach – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Surfers Paradise
One of the best Surfers Paradise backpackers hostels, the atmosphere created by the staff and guests at this place is super fun and feels like a small community rather than a place to sleep. There’s always some kinda activity happening – easy to make friends with other peeps here.
The location is super close to the beach. You can also BYOB here, which is great both for keeping costs down and for getting to know people (it’s always better with a drink!). Fun, safe, what more do you want from the best hostel for solo travellers in Surfers Paradise?
Couple O’ Days Backpackers – Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Surfers Paradise
I mean, it says it in the name. This is a great place to stay for – you guessed it – a couple o’ days. This top hostel in Surfers Paradise is a pretty quiet place, and it’s clean and run by friendly staff. A great place to chill and take some time off from partying.
Ok, so it might not be the most modern hostel around – like, it could do with a lick of paint – but if you’re looking for the best cheap hostel in Surfers Paradise, and you really wanna keep costs down, then you should probably think about staying here. Decent option for a short stay.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REISurfers Paradise Backpackers Resort – Best Hostel for Couples in Surfers Paradise
Just a 2-minute stroll to the beach, when it comes to travelling as a couple this is a highly recommended hostel in Surfers Paradise. It’s a chilled out spot with a volleyball court, quiz nights, pizza nights, all the kinda stuff that makes staying here pretty much loadsa fun.
Since it’s the best hostel for couples in Surfers Paradise, naturally you can expect that there’s some space to chill out together (there are various common rooms to choose from), plus you can make a dinner for two in the kitchen, or head out to town for a bite to eat. Nice place.
Down Under Hostels – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Surfers Paradise
This place has a WHOLE LOAD of space to get some work done. There are even 5 iMacs set-up for guest use, which is pretty good if you need to get some work done. Decor wise, it’s one of the coolest hostels in Surfers Paradise: think white tiles, clean lines, minimalism, and a very upscale feeling lounge.
There’s a pool table here and a cinema room for when the work’s done (or you need a break from staring at your emails), and it’s LESS than 200 metres from the beach. Now if that isn’t the best hostel for digital nomads in Surfers Paradise, then we don’t know WHAT is.
Sleeping Inn in Surfers Paradise – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Surfers Paradise
When it comes to the best hostel with a private room in Surfers Paradise, well, this is pretty much it. Like, woo, they’re nice. They’ve got proper big beds, actual furniture to put your clothes into, like an actual home away from home instead of a Surfers Paradise backpackers hostel.
And when you’ve had enough of reclining on your own you can head to the lounge and chat with other travellers, or go hang out by the pool (always a good icebreaker… but we don’t know why). There’s always all sorts of events going on, from BBQs to movie nights, meaning you’ll never get bored here. No music after 10pm though.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Surfers Paradise Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I 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 Surfers Paradise
So, now you know all about the best hostels in Surfers Paradise.
From the coolest places in town to some of the cheapest, there’s a little bit of everything in our handy guide.
Whether you wanna party and turn up, or chill with your partner as you road trip down the Gold Coast (or up – contentious subject!), there’ll be something there for you.
And if you’re still having trouble deciding where to stay? No worries! Just head to our top pick for the best overall hostel in Surfers Paradise, which is Bunk Surfers Paradise.
See you on the beach!
FAQ about Hostels in Surfers Paradise
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Surfers Paradise.
How much does a hostel cost in Surfers Paradise?
On average, you can get a Dorm bed for $23 and a Private room starts at $42.
What are the best hostels in Surfers Paradise for couples?
To balance a nice and private room with the social atmosphere of a pumping hostel, your best bet is to stay at Budds In Surfers.
What are the best hostels in Surfers Paradise near the airport?
The airport is quite far from Surfers Paradise, so it is better to find the best place in the great location. I highly recommend Bunk Surfers Paradise, the best overall hostel in Surfers Paradise.
Travel Safety Tips for Surfers Paradise
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Australia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Surfers Paradise.
You’ve got your new surfboard and it’s tucked away inside your surfboard bag and you’ve picked out an awesome place to stay! So what are you waiting for?!
Planning an epic trip all across Australia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Australia, check out:
Over to You
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Surfers Paradise has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you’re planning on travelling further, you can be (almost always) sure that you’ll find a great place to stay wherever you are. There are so many amazing hostels all over Australia, each of them offering a comfy bed, a welcoming vibe, and a chance to meet like-minded travellers – you’ll be well looked after!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Photo: Roaming Ralph
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Australia for a wealth of info!
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate East Coast backpacking guide.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
