Hostel Review: Alice Springs YHA – Alice Springs, Australia

Alice Springs, Australia is the launchpad to Uluru and Kings Canyon. While most people tend to leave Alice Springs just as quickly as they came, Alice Springs is a “bonanza of a town” (Side note: If you’re heading to Alice, I highly recommend reading Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice).

Alice Springs, often just shorten to Alice, offers a variety of accommodations for every budget. As a budget traveler, I always opt for hostels as they are the cheapest. As a digital nomad, I always opt for hostels with good wifi as I need it to work on the road. I have found through my travels that the YHA hostels have the best wifi. They offer free wifi in common areas, but the premium wifi is worth the small cost if you want to work online or watch Netflix.

The Location

Alice Springs YHA is one of the best located hostels in Alice Springs. It’s located just a block from Main Street with all the restaurants and bars and a few blocks from the supermarket. ANZAC Hill is just a 10-minute walk from the hostel, and it offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding landscapes.

The Hostel Facilities

The Alice Springs YHA is built within the grounds of the historic outdoor movie theater. The hostel offers small dorm rooms, large dorm rooms, and private rooms for couples or singles. Bathrooms are centrally located in the courtyard and are kept remarkedly clean by the hostel staff. Dorm beds are simple and clean. Large lockers are available in every room.

The kitchen is large with multiple sinks and prep areas. The cutlery could use an update and refrigerators could use a good deep clean, but overall it is better than most hostel kitchens I have seen in my travels. The inner courtyard is home to a pool, picnic tables, and the outdoor theater.

The Rooms

Dorm rooms are basic. The four-bed dorms are the nicest. I thought I reserved a 4-bed dorm, but I ended up being placed in a 16-bed dorm room, which was a little loud at night due to many snorers. However, the way the room was constructed, it was much more quaint, and it made you feel that you were in a much smaller dorm room.

My Experience

I had a great experience at the Alice Springs YHA. I was able to check into my room early and had the pick of the beds. During my stay, YHA was looking for models for a photoshoot for the YHA website. Since they were offering a 7-night hostel stay package and a year membership in exchange, I volunteered to be one of the faces of the Alice Springs YHA hostel. You can now see my face on the website!

Everyone I met, including the staff, were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Many of the people staying at the hostel were heading out for their Uluru tour or were long-term stays who were working in Alice Springs. After my Uluru tour, I stayed at Haven Backpacker Resort, and it was definitely not as nice as the Alice Springs YHA.

Hostel Quick Facts

• Location: 26 Parsons St, Alice Springs
• Cost: $23.60 (16-bed share) up to $90.00 (private double bed)
• Nearby Attractions: ANZAC Hill, Todd Mall
• Languages Spoken: English
• Payment: Cash, Credit Cards
• Pros: Clean, friendly staff, excellent location in town, swimming pool
• Cons: Kitchen could use an update