Studying in Canberra? Here’s your travel bucket list.

Sure, you enrolled to study hard and learn lots; but we all need a break (or three!) at times. Australia is a damn huge country and we know time and money is hard to come by, so we’ve narrowed it down to five places you’ve gotta see during your time in Canberra. Drum roll, please!

Sydney

Sydney

Ah, Sydney. Home to a big bridge, a bigger foodie scene, hundreds of little streets to find yourself lost in and thousands of things to do (Seriously. You’ll never be bored. Here’s 100 free things to do when you get here). Get here in an hour if you’re flying, 3 hours if you’re driving or around 5 hours on a bus; then choose between the centre of the city with Sydney Central YHA, sleeping in a train carriage at Railway Square YHA or lap up the best view of the harbour at Sydney Harbour YHA.

Fancy climbing the Harbour Bridge, learning to surf on Bondi Beach or checking out the Aquarium and Madame Tussades in Darling Harbour? We can book them all, plus more! Have a look-see here.

Great Ocean Road

Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road

Love coffee, food, culture, cocktails, theatre, art, and all ‘round deliciousness? Melbourne is for you. Melbourne and Sydney have a long-running rivalry, so you’ve got to check them both out so you can weigh in on the debate! Take your pick of staying smack-bang in the centre of the city at Melbourne Central YHA, or take a leafy, relaxed stay on the outskirts of the city at Melbourne Metro YHA. Either way, you get 20% off your bed; plus we’ve found 50 free things to do in the city – more money to spend on coffee (or espresso martinis!).  

Carve out at least two days to take our Great Ocean Road tour. Explore 244 kilometres of the wild and wonderful South Coast, experiencing the iconic 12 Apostles and plenty of other Instagrammable stops along the way!

Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains – where far away isn’t so far away. 2 hours out of Sydney lies an otherworldly experience - you’ll never forget your trip to Katoomba, the small, charming town at the outset of the stunning NSW National Park where you can bushwalk, abseil, canyon, soar over the ancient National Park in a glass car and eat one of the top 10 pizzas in Australia! Plus, crash out at the gorgeous, heritage listed Blue Mountains YHA. 

We’ve written you a 48 hour itinerary since there’s just so much to pack in, but however you spend your time – it won’t be wasted!

 Hobart

Hobart

First step, book a flight to Hobart. Step two, score 20% off your bed at the cozy-cool Hobart Central YHA using UNIS19 at checkout. Step three, read our Perfect Day Trip from Hobart plan. Step four, have a look at all the epic activities you can do in Tasmania that you probably didn’t expect in Australia. Step five, congratulate yourself on the wonderful decision to travel to Tasmania!

East Coast

East Coast

Let’s be real, Australia’s East Coast is probably the reason you wanted to travel here – sea, salt and sand every day, tonnes of high-octane activities like surf lessons, skydiving, bungee jumping, boat trips, snorkelling or even scuba diving – and some pretty crazy nightlife, too. Sounds good to us!

The East Coast spans New South Wales and Queensland, from Sydney to Byron Bay to Brisbane to Cairns and all that’s in between - and we’ve got hostels in pretty much every location you’ll want to visit. Have a read of our comprehensive East Coast guide here, and make sure to leave enough time to truly experience the magic!

Don't forget your 20% discount on beds around Australia! Head here for a complete list of participating hostels, and happy travels! 

    YHA Sydney Central
    YHA Sydney Central
    Located in a heritage-listed building in the heart of Sydney, this bustling international hub is next to all major train & tram lines for easy access to the city's top attractions.
    YHA Sydney Harbour
    YHA Sydney Harbour
    This modern, sustainable property in The Rocks draws an international crowd with its world-class harbour views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
    YHA Blue Mountains (Katoomba)
    YHA Blue Mountains (Katoomba)
    This historic lodge located right in the middle of Katoomba is as cosy as it is hospitable. Escape the city and make it your base for your next outdoor adventure.
    YHA Melbourne Central
    YHA Melbourne Central
    Tucked between the downtown Melbourne highrises and with trams on its doorstep, this heritage-listed YHA is the perfect platform for exploring Australia's trendiest city.
    YHA Hobart Central
    YHA Hobart Central
    A perfect gateway to Hobart and the rest of Tasmania, this friendly, centrally-located property is barely two blocks from the waterfront and the city's best cultural attractions.

YHA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to the elders, past and present, and the extended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We recognise their custodianship of the land, sea, & water for over 60,000 years.

YHA Australia is a proud member of Hostelling International - a network of more than 2,650 hostels across 57 countries that share the mission of making travel more sustainable & accessible.