10 Best Hostel Rooftops in Australia

SYDNEY HARBOUR YHA

The rooftop of Sydney Harbour YHA will make all your Sydney dreams will come true! Picture this: nibbles, beer pong and ridiculously good vibes with your new best friends, with the sunset over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a backdrop. By day, soak up the sun and laze around in a hammock or deckchair for some serenity right in the heart of the city, watching the twinkle of the Harbour reflecting the clear blue sky. By night, there's nary a week where something isn’t going on atop Sydney Harbour YHA – from free wine and cheese night to BBQs, the atmosphere on this unique rooftop must be experienced to be believed. Also - just quietly - during Vivid Sydney and New Year’s Eve...there’s no better place to be in the entire city.

Book your stay at Sydney Harbour YHA today >

BONDI BEACHOUSE YHA

Bondi Beachouse YHA is everything you want out of your Bondi digs – boasting some serious chilled-out beachy vibes and in the heart of all the action. But the rooftop is truly something special – with unrivalled views of Tamarama Beach, you'll be able to snap some serious shots at any time of day, whether it's sunrise, sunset or smack-bang in the middle of the day. Enjoy some sunbaking after a long morning exploring the area, laze around on the beanbags and deckchairs, indulge in some dusk drinks with your fellow travellers, practise your surf stance or ignore the world and look at your phone for three straight hours! Whatever tickles your fancy, Bondi Beachouse YHA’s rooftop is the place to be when you have some down-time or you're keen to get amongst the action.

Book your stay at Bondi Beachouse YHA today >

GLEBE POINT YHA

Glebe Point YHA is one of the friendliest and chillest hostels in Sydney, and its famous rooftop is everything a Glebe rooftop should be – bright, relaxed and ultra-cool. It’s the place to be to meet people, enjoy free food nights and just revel in the fact you’re staying in one of the coolest parts of the city! The sunset over Glebe every evening is truly a sight to behold and you have one of the best views going 'round from the Glebe Point YHA rooftop. If it’s a Friday, you’ll enjoy a free (yep, free!) BBQ, so you can line your tummy and enjoy some pre-drinks before hitting the town, and experiencing the buzzing inner city nightlife. Just don’t go too hard – you’ll need to wake up for the Glebe Markets on Saturday morning, where you can pick up an indie novel then devour it on the rooftop while sitting on a dreamy hanging chair!

Book your stay at Glebe Point YHA today >

YAMBA YHA

Yamba is one of the best cities to experience everything that's awesome about east coast surfing culture, and the vibe at Yamba YHA is no different! There’s no better place at the hostel to get amongst it than the rooftop – home of BBQ nights, a guy with a guitar (most likely) and loads of comfy spots to enjoy a tac nap or catch up on your sunbaking. Stuff your face when the BBQ is a-sizzling, enjoy views overlooking the gorgeous town and get to know your fellow travellers. After a long day learning to surf, cliff jumping, swimming or enjoying nature walks, the rooftop is the perfect place to relax and recharge if that’s what you’re into, or get right back into partying and socialising. With views for days, the seabreeze in your hair and the sun on your skin, you won’t even mind when that guy with the guitar bangs out the first notes of Wonderwall.

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CANBERRA CITY YHA

Perfectly located right in the heart of cool-as-a-cucumber Canberra, Canberra City YHA’s rooftop is the ultimate spot to eat, meet people and take in the city. There’s no better way to start your night on the town than with BBQ night every Friday – where you can enjoy some bevvies and a hearty meal before experiencing Canberra's incredible nightlife. The rooftop is also the perfect spot to spend a lazy night in – outdoor movie nights are a regular occurrence, but try not to be distracted by the incredible Canberra sunset happening around you! With its prime location and friendly vibe, Canberra City YHA is your ideal base for exploring the cultural, foodie and historic delights of the city – the five-star views at a budget price is just a perk!

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BRISBANE CITY YHA 

Sorry not sorry to humble brag, but the view from the rooftop of Brisbane City YHA may be one of the best in the entire city. With Brisbane’s striking skyline and Brisbane River on full show, you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for a FOMO-inspiring photo of your lovely self on holiday. But don’t just come for the Insta possibilities - with an enormous pool and plenty of deckchairs to vege on, the rooftop is the perfect spot to work on your tan and spend some quality time with yourself – whether you’re catching up on a book or just having a merry snooze. By night, the rooftop is transformed into the place to be to meet and mingle, and it certainly helps that we’ve just opened a brand new Rooftop Bar, perfect for a cheeky nightcap or pre-drinking for an epic night on the town. More on that here!

Book your stay at Brisbane City YHA today >

MELBOURNE CENTRAL YHA

Lucky you, you’re in Melbourne! One of the coolest cities in Australia where the shopping is to die for, and the café and bar scene is even better. When you stay at Melbourne Central YHA, you’ll immediately get a feel for just how bloody brilliant this city is, when you check out its impressive skyline from the hostel's rooftop. While you’re at it, enjoy some chill drinks or a BBQ as the sun goes down, lounge around on the comfy chairs and get to know some folks before you hit the town for the night – perhaps starting with the famous Thursday night bar tour? By day, the rooftop is an excellent spot to get some peace, quiet and sunshine right in the heart of the perennially bustling city.

Book your stay at Melbourne Central YHA today >

MELBOURNE METRO YHA

Melbourne is famous for its endless rooftop bars, so naturally, we have more than one excellent hostel rooftop in this hip city! So much has gone down and continues to go down on the rooftop of Melbourne Metro YHA – drinks, socialising, sustainable documentaries night, movie nights, board games night, dinner for a donation, quiz night, more drinks, yoga, zumba and more! As the main social hub of the hostel, the rooftop is the place to be to find out what everyone’s doing and the latest hostel activities you can get amongst. With brilliant views of super-cool North Melbourne, the rooftop is also an excellent spot to get some Vitamin D and chat to people, or enjoy some me-time with your book, laptop or just have a little nap! Seriously, this rooftop is a good’un.

Book your stay at Melbourne Metro YHA today >

APOLLO BAY YHA

Apollo Bay is a town like few others – home to rugged coastline, a lush green rainforest, waterfalls, more wildlife than you’ve ever seen in your lifetime and endless adventures. Of course, there’s no better place to stay than the ecologically sustainable and ever-charming Apollo Bay Eco YHA – and their gorgeous rooftop deck is every bit as heavenly and tranquil as the town in which it’s located. Feel totally, 100 per cent at peace with the world as you lean against the railings, taking in the incredible ocean and forest views. Sun on your skin, seabreeze in your hair and the salty air filling your nostrils – the rooftop is the perfect spot to take stock, catch your breath and enjoy Mother Nature, before you set off on your next adventure.

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PHILLIP ISLAND YHA

Phillip Island is a slice of paradise just a stone’s throw away from bustling Melbourne, and Phillip Island YHA is the best place to rest your weary bones after a day surfing, meeting the wildlife and exploring this charming area. The rooftop deck is as chill as can be, and an excellent option for lounging about on a deckchair catching some rays – just like you’re on the beach, minus all the pesky sand! You can also enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and bush, and snap that perfect shot you can look back on fondly when you return to humdrum life. Whether you’re in Phillip Island for surfing, penguin-spotting or just a weekend getaway, be sure to check out the rooftop for the chillest island vibes you ever did experience!

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FIVE-STAR VIEWS, HOSTEL BUDGET!