About

Boardrider Backpacker is a purpose-built hostel, located in the heart of Sydney's Northern Beaches. Our central location offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and shops right on our doorstep. Wake up to unlimited FREE wi-fi and FREE continental breakfast, FREE surfboard use, then walk a mere 80 metres to iconic Manly Beach, recently named, 'best beach in Australia', by travellers like yourself. Enjoy organised sports events, beach games and FREE bbqs or hop on a short ferry ride to world-famous Sydney Harbour and the centre of Sydney. Later, hit our rooftop, where you can bring your own drinks and hang out with fellow backpackers.

We're also a working hostel with our very own Job Programme to help backpackers find casual, part-time and permanent work in and around the Northern Beaches. Weekly rates are available seasonally- so you can work, have fun and save for your future travels!

This perfect location gives you the opportunity to experience Australian beach culture at its best, while only being seven miles from the heart of the city. Whether it's surfing, shopping, or just relaxing on the beach, Manly truly has it all.

All bookings include FREE unlimited WIFI, FREE continental breakfast, as well as FREE snorkel and sports equipment hire. :)

Please Important:

Guests under the age of 18 are not permitted to stay at Boardrider Backpacker & Budget Accommodation and there is an age restriction of 18-35 in all dormitory rooms.

International guests only in our dormitory style rooms, passport needed for check in (only people between 18-35 years are allowed in the dorms)

Boardrider Backpacker & Budget Accommodation will not make any charges to your credit card when making an online booking. You will be required to pay the full amount at check-in. Your credit card details are obtained to secure your reservation only.

If a booking is cancelled or modified up to 3 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged. If cancelled or modified late or in case of no show, the first night accommodation is non-refundable.

We do our best to accommodate all bookings as they are made; however we reserve the right to modify bookings, which may result in a room-type change.

House Rules

Check In

14:00 - 23:00

Check Out

until 10:00

Taxes Included

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Facilities

Free Breakfast
Free City Maps
Free WiFi
Free Internet Access
Jobs Board
Luggage Storage
Housekeeping
Reception (limited hours)

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Reviews

8.0Fabulous(288)

Value for Money
8.0
Security
8.0
Atmosphere
8.0
Cleanliness
6.0
Staff
10.0
Location
10.0
Facilities
6.0

Summary of traveller reviews

Boardrider Backpacker & Budget Accommodation in Sydney offers a very social atmosphere and a fantastic location near the beach and city. Staff are generally friendly and helpful. However, cleanliness is a frequent concern, with multiple recent reviews mentioning issues like bugs, dirt, and unpleasant smells.

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Stayed in Jan 2026

8.3

Tom

Male, 31-40, England

The hostel is abit tired and worn out but wouldn’t change that, best hostel I’ve stayed in whilst I’ve been in Australia, such a humble place to be and everyone is friendly and welcoming and wants todo things and hang out together, very social and a happy place to be, definitely worth the experience, free use of surfboards and can see the waves from the terrace, excellent location

Stayed in Jan 2026

7.1

Kim

Female, 41+, Australia

Lots of washing at the bottom of the stairs, …potential hazard and in my friends room, the fan was caked in so much dust she didn’t want to turn it on. Otherwise staff extremely friendly, proficient and professional.

Stayed in Dec 2025

2.0

abbie

Female, 18-24, England

The hostel was very unclean and we had to sleep on a mouldy mattress, four people had come and gone from the room and it was not cleaned once. there was mouldy smelly underwear stuffed under the bed which had not been removed. when we checked in the room still hadn’t been cleaned, none of the lockers closed. there was flys and cockroaches in the kitchen. toilets were falling apart and very unclean. the best part of our stay here was checking out. Would not recommend to anyone.

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