Australia’s hottest street art hostels

Byron Bay YHA

The refurbished Byron Bay YHA is a work of art in itself, but the highlight of its lush revamped pool area is this epic beach-themed mural by Sydney creative Mulga the Artist, featuring everything from a moustachioed pineapple to a surfing cockatoo.

That’s not Byron’s only great wall – local artist Robert Moore welcomes guests to ‘Paradise YHA’ with a huge piece behind reception.

Sydney Central YHA

Mulga was a busy boy for YHA in 2018 – a few weeks before that Byron creation, he put the finishing touches on the massive facelift of Sydney Central YHA’s trendy common areas with a mural spotlighting the seagull-loving Captain Allen Anchor Beard.

Railway Square YHA

Central’s neighbour Railway Square YHA didn't miss out on the paint party – local artist Antony Makhlouf added a spectacular coat of paint to the converted parcels shed, complementing his many prints that hang throughout the halls of this stylish inner-city property.

Adelaide Central YHA

A masterpiece by Vans the Omega is the centrepiece of the Adelaide Central Market, and one of the highlights of nearby Adelaide Central YHA, too. VTO spent three days completing the epic three-storey piece, a portrait of a local girl named ‘Flower’.

Melbourne Metro YHA

Muralist Cto left his home in New Zealand to chase his dream of becoming a street artist in Melbourne – and judging by this work at Melbourne Metro YHA, he’s made a smart move. Cto’s hostel work is made up of four #travelinspo quotes as well as two portraits of staff members, Patrick (‘The Game Master’) and Tina (‘Energetic Identity’).

Brisbane City YHA

Drapl is one of Bris Vegas’ most in-demand muralists and one of his pieces – a portrait of a girl with a frangipani in her hair – welcomes guests to the front courtyard of Brisbane City YHA.

Newcastle Beach YHA

Descend into the depths of the deep blue sea as you follow the stairs into the kitchen, entering a world of sharks, dolphins, treasure chests and sunken ships. Texan artist Kegan Eastham also found room for two Newy icons above the waves: Nobbys Beach and the Pasha Bulker bulk liner that famously ran aground in 2007, not far from Newcastle Beach YHA.