Backpacker Hostels in Coffs Harbour, Australia

Coffs Harbour, a small, cozy beach city about six hours up the east coast from Sydney, is easily reachable by train or Greyhound bus, which are both really comfortable. If you are traveling up the east coast, it's worth stopping over and staying in Coffs Harbour for a night or two.

It has everything you need -- the big supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths, and a shopping mall with shops such as Cotton On, Factorie, and Typo. It's not really a place to party, although there are certain bars where you can eat and hang out and have some beers afterwards, while enjoying the live music together with the local farmers.

There are a couple of hostels in Coffs Harbour, all spread around the city but all close to supermarkets. Some are working hostels as well, filled with hard working fruit pickers all year round. Most Coffs Harbour hostels have a free pick-up from the bus or train station. Most of the hostels are close to the beach, which is beautiful but dangerous at the same time; because of the strong currents, the number of people drowning is quite high. Therefore the lifeguards are constantly driving up and down the beach, and getting people to swim between the flags.

Not only is Coffs Harbour a beautiful, quiet place to stop, but you also find beautiful beaches with loads of wildlife around there as well, including kangaroos and dolphins hanging around. A couple Coffs Harbour hostels offer a little tour to spot some kangaroos -- it's a must do! Besides that, Coffs Harbour is the town with the "big banana" tourist attraction.

Overall, Coffs Harbour is a nice place to have a little break from your travels for a couple of days, but has nothing special to offer.