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Let YHA feed you for cheap!
Tired of buying groceries, or you simply cannot stomach another pack of two minute-noodles? Well, contrary to popular backpacking belief, it is possible to get a great meal made for you without sending your bank account into the negatives. The best part? You don’t even have to leave your accommodation to go there! Here are the top meals you can get at YHAs at our on-site cafes and restaurants – some of them may or may not be completely free...
BBQ BONANZA AT SYDNEY HARBOUR YHA
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Sydney Harbour YHA's rooftop is home to one of the greatest views in the city, and the experience of enjoying a good ol' fashioned Aussie BBQ as you look upon the dazzling Harbour is nothing short of incredible. Start your week on a high note, with a $2 beef and kangaroo sausage sizzle every Monday! However, if you’re more into burgers, you’ll be livin’ for $7 burger night every Friday to fill you up before you hit the town (or go straight to bed, your choice!) Veggies, don’t fret, you’ll be well catered for. There’s non-meat options at every BBQ, or you can enjoy $5 pasta night on Saturdays! Five-star views at your fingertips and deliciously satisfying, affordable nosh – you and your belly can’t go wrong with a stay at Sydney Harbour YHA.
Book your stay at Sydney Harbour YHA today >
A MEAL A DAY AT RAILWAY SQUARE YHA
You will literally never go hungry when you stay at Railway Square YHA, with a different cuisine being whipped up every single night! Monday is meatball night – pay $6 and enjoy some delicious meatballs with pan-fried potato and coleslaw. Tuesday is $6 pizza night, followed by $2 Tim Tam ice creams. Another $6 will get you a meal on Wednesday’s Mexican night, that is, if you still have room after starting your morning with free pancakes! Thursday is $3 pasta night, Friday is all about burgers and Saturday is $2 hotdog lunch followed by free wine and cheese night! The highlight, however, is arguably Sundays - we're talking $6 nasi goreng followed by $2 Belgian waffles! The schedule will be subject to change, so check what’s on at the hostel regularly. No matter what's on the menu, one thing’s for sure: Mum and Dad won’t have to worry about you eating enough if you’re staying at Railway Square YHA.
Book your stay at Railway Square YHA today >
BRILLIANT BEACH CAFE AT YAMBA YHA
Block Bar/Café in Yamba is a local icon, and a rite of passage if you’re lucky enough to be spending some time in the chilled-out, surfie town of Yamba. Though it shares the building with Yamba YHA, this hotspot is popular with locals, families, backpackers, tourists and basically anyone with any sense! You’ll be super thankful for Block Bar on those mornings where you need a hearty brekky to soak up the booze from last night, or when you’re having a lazy night in and don’t want to walk far to get fed! People rave about the above-and-beyond customer service, the eggs benny (pictured) and the famous “Block Burger,” which one visitor called the best Aussie Burger they’ve ever had. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll be able to get a delicious meal here any time of day, and crawl upstairs to collapse into a food coma immediately after. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Book your stay at Yamba YHA today >
FREE PANCAKES E'RRY DAY AT CAIRNS CENTRAL YHA
Nothing puts a smile on your weary dial like pancakes for breakfast, but wait til you find out you can get them totally free at Cairns Central YHA…every single day! Cairns Central YHA care about you so much they refuse to send you out for the day on an empty stomach, so every single morning the team will be up bright and early flipping deliciously fluffy pancakes for you! That's right - when you stay here, you’ll never have to start your day exploring tropical North Queensland without deliciously filling sustenance. Just as well - you’ll definitely need all the energy you can muster to fully immerse yourself in this incredible region, jam-packed with thrilling adventures. Roll out of bed, meet in the courtyard (changing out of your jammies optional) and enjoy the battery goodness!
Book your stay at Cairns Central YHA today >
DELECTABLE DINING AT HALSE LODGE - NOOSA YHA
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Now listen carefully – this one is really something else. The restaurant at Halse Lodge (Noosa Heads YHA) is nothing short of a local treasure. Located in a heritage-listed building, it’s been featured on countless lists of the best restaurants in the city – people will come from all across the city to eat here. But lucky you – you’re already staying there! The menu is something you’d expect to see in a five-star restaurant, yet completely affordable, perfect for giving you that warm fuzzy feeling of a delicious home cooked meal. Fancy delicious crisp calamari for an entrée, followed by slow cooked beef ragu fettucine? Or will you hit your protein quota with a rump steak for your main, and top it off with a cheeky apple and berry crumble for dessert? When you’re good and full and rosy-cheeked, take a walk on the beach (only a few minutes’ walk away) before you crash into a dreamy food coma back at the YHA. It may cost a few bucks more than your standard backpacker diet of plain pasta and goon but seriously...your body is begging you for some nutrients.
Book your stay at Noosa YHA today >
HIT THE SPOT AT BRISBANE CITY YHA'S CHECK-IN CAFE
Is there anything better than finally arriving at your hostel starving, and realising there is a brilliant no-frills café right on-site?! Brisbane City YHA’s Check-in Café will be your best friend as you explore Brisbane – always there just below your bed whether you need a tasty brekky, a quick snack or sugar hit, or you fancy sampling their delish dinner menu! With a range of menu items from the classic ham and cheese croissant to comfort food such as pasta, burgers and tacos, Check-in Café is your perfect option to enjoy a substantial and tasty meal, not blow out your budget and get to know your fellow adventurers while you’re at it! By night, head upstairs to the brand new Rooftop Bar for a nightcap or pre-drinks before hitting the town. Café, bed, bar and good times all 'round– Brisbane City YHA has absolutely everything you need for your Brissie base.
Book your stay at Brisbane City YHA today >
CREPES GALORE (AND MORE) AT 1770 YHA
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1770 YHA is all about making your experience as comfortable and memorable as possible, which is why they have a brilliant chef whose specialties are best described as "Mum and Dad's home cooking" - everything dished up is hearty and there's plenty of it! We're talking steak, mashed potato, fresh veggies, schitzels, nachos, fish and chips, thai green curry, burgers, beef stroganoff and much, much more. All meals have a vegetarian option, so nobody will be missing out. But what really sweetens the deal are the dessert crepes - choose your fillings from strawberries, banana, apple, chocolate sauce, maple syrup, caramel, cinammon and ice cream and it'll all be wrapped up in a freshly made crepe, so it's more like a dessert kebab! Is your mouth watering yet? We thought so! The meals are on four days per week and the crepes are on most nights - check the blackboard in the hostel and prepare your belly. How. Good.
Book your stay at 1770 YHA here >
EPIC PAELLA NIGHTS AT PORT LINCOLN YHA
Your Port Lincoln experience was always going to be memorable – it’s the town of shark cage diving, swimming with tuna and sea lions and basically every ocean activity under the sun. However, we suggest adding paella nights at Port Lincoln YHA to your Eyre Peninsula bucketlist, and boy, will you thank us later! At $20 per person, the price may seem pretty shocking for a broke backpacker, but any true paella connoisseur knows that this actually very decent! Plus, the amazingly fresh and locally caught seafood used is some of the very best in the world, so it’s definitely worth treating yourself just a little to taste this incredible region. Paella night is an experience from the get-go, you’ll see it being cooked up outdoors in the hugest dish you ever did see. Then, grab some wine and pull up a chair next to your fellow travellers, regaling your ocean adventures as you munch on this delicious delicacy. To think you were going to spend that $20 on a week’s supply of two minute noodles…
Book your stay at Port Lincoln YHA today >
DINNER FOR A DONATION AT MELBOURNE METRO YHA
The only thing better than having a meal made for you is knowing your cash is going to a great cause right? Melbourne Metro YHA is one of the most socially sustainable hostels in the YHA family, and every Wednesday, they will cook you a delicious healthy dinner in return for a small donation – every cent of which goes to a different charity every week. At 7pm, head up to the rooftop with your donation and check out what’s cookin’! As you eat, get to know your fellow travellers as you take in the view from the rooftop and plan out how you’ll spend another night in forever cool and perennially vibrant Melbourne. So, just to recap: you get food, you get to socialise, and you get to do your good deed for the day. Win, win, win!
From $35 per night
Sydney Harbour YHA - The Rocks
The only hostel in Sydney that has views of Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Sydney Harbour YHA is the best place to stay in Sydney for the New Years Eve fireworks and the Vivid light festival.
From $34 per night
Sydney Railway Square YHA
The hostel that literally has its own platform at Sydney Central Railway Station. You won't have an excuse for missing your bus, train or plane, with direct access to the Sydney Airport Train line and bus terminals at your doorstep.
From $29 per night
Yamba YHA
Located on the NSW north coast, Yamba is a seaside town that has fantastic beaches and the most famous surf breaks. A great stop between Sydney and Brisbane.
From $22 per night
Cairns Central YHA
Cairns Central YHA is located in the heart of town, only a block from the train station and surrounded by cafes, restaurants and pubs. Comfortable common areas, lush swimming pool and social BBQ area make it the perfect spot to relax.
From $25 per night
Noosa Heads YHA
This authentic 1880s National Trust and Heritage Listed backpacker hostel is set in the heart of Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast.
From $23.5 per night
Brisbane City YHA
An award winning backpackers hostel, Brisbane City YHA is close to Suncorp Stadium, Roma St Transit Centre, South Bank, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Museum. Oh, and did we mention that we have a pool overlooking the Brisbane River?
From $22 per night
1770 YHA
1770 is a clean and inviting hostel with a variety of room types, all dorms have their own en-suite and are air-conditioned. The Agnes Water Beach is only a short 200 meter walk through an environmental park.
From $30 per night
Port Lincoln YHA
Port Lincoln YHA is based in an adventure-lover's paradise. Whether it's shark cage diving, swimming with tuna or sea lions or maybe a surf or a swim, this hostel can deliver!
From $22 per night
Melbourne Metro YHA
Only a short free tram ride to the CBD and close to the University of Melbourne and Queen Victoria Market. Melbourne Metro YHA has everything you need for a great stay in cultural Melbourne.
YHA is a member of Hostelling International