14 Hostels in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

About Adelaide

Adelaide aka South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital (try saying that a couple of times after a few bevs). If you’re into fun facts you’ll enjoy this – more than 75% of the South Australian population calls Adelaide home, making it the most centralised population of any state within Australia, kind of cool right?

In terms of what to expect from Adelaide hostels, expect a mixture between budget and modern hostels. Comparable with most modern-day hostels, you’ll find a mixture of private and dorm room options, which makes the planning of any style trip, an easy one. Youth hostels in Adelaide really soak up the typical relaxed Aussie culture.

You will find the majority of Adelaide hostels right in the heart of the city. Combined with Adelaide’s excellent public transportation, the hostels being located right in Adelaide’s CBD allows you to be where the action is, but also gives you the freedom to escape and explore. There are two hostels located further out towards the coast if being in the hustle and bustle of a city doesn’t sound like your kind of thing.

A backpacker’s dream, you’ll be spoilt for choice of things to do in Adelaide. Of course, first I need to mention where you can see Australasia’s only breeding pair of Giant Pandas at Adelaide zoo. For more naturistic adventures explore Adelaide’s botanic gardens or tackle some of Adelaide’s walks and hikes like Mount lofty – the highest point in the southern Mount Lofty ranges located just 15km from the city centre. While you’re in town be sure to stop by the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, located only 20 minutes from the city you’ll find 30 bottlenose dolphins who call the inlet home. For a true Aussie experience try and catch a footy game at Adelaide Oval, a word of advice, start prepping your body for gallons of beer now, should you plan on attending.

In terms of transport, Adelaide has a generous choice of public transport available with trains, trams and buses running throughout the city and outer suburbs. If you’re wanting to explore Kangaroo Islands a SeaLink ferry departs less than 2 hours from Adelaide and takes you right across to the Island. Like most other Australian cities, Adelaide hosts a free city loop-bus which is a great (and wallet-friendly) way to get to know the city and find your bearings when you first arrive. Talking about free, you can also hop on a tram through the city’s centre which is also, you guessed it, free. For an eco-friendlier option pick up a FREE bike from one of the 20 in the city.