Backpacker Hostels in Caloundra, Australia

Situated approximately about a hundred kilometers north of Brisbane, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

is one of several resort towns on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Easily accessible and with some of Australia’s best surfing beaches right on the doorstep, it’s no wonder that Caloundra is a popular stop on the backpacker trail between Sydney and Cairns. There are a few backpacker hostels in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia, most which offer a laid-back, beach-house vibe and a good standard of comfort. Catering mainly for independent travelers from around the world, the mood of the town and these hostels in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia, is friendly, relaxed, and helpful, often including the free use of surfboards, body-boards, and pushbikes for guests as well as fun social evenings such as pool parties and pizza nights. Some Caloundra, Queensland, Australia hostels also provide help for travelers hoping to pick up some casual work for a few months.

Caloundra’s main attraction is the beach, and it offers all sorts of fun water-based activities such as swimming, surfing, snorkeling, wind-surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, and diving. If you’ve always wanted to surf, Caloundra is definitely the place to learn. Caloundra Surf School, North Caloundra Surf School, and Silky Surf are a few places you might want to check out.

Apart from hanging out on the beach, there are plenty of other fun things to do around Caloundra. Many talented artisans live in the area and lots of visitors enjoy trawling the local markets for their beautiful handmade creations and fresh local produce. If you’re a nature-lover, there are also several national parks close to Caloundra, including Noosa National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park, and Kondalilla National Park. These beautiful reserves are the perfect place to escape the coastal crowds and connect with nature. There are walking trails and picnic facilities, and if you’re fortunate you might even see some native animals. Other fun places to visit on a stopover in Caloundra include Australia Zoo, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, and Room Games.

If your travel money needs to be replenished, Caloundra is also a good place to work for a few months, especially over peak holiday times such as the summer months or during school vacations. Since Caloundra is a popular holiday town, much of the work that’s available is in the tourism industry -- for example, as a waiter or cleaning holiday apartments. Hostels in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia, can often help you find work (be sure to check notice boards) or you could also wander around town and ask local businesses if they’re looking for staff.

Caloundra is easily accessible by both private and public transport. By car, it’s an easy, one-hour drive north from Brisbane, and trains leave for the Sunshine Coast from the main Brisbane railway station hourly -- a journey that usually takes just over two-and-a-half hours. The closest station to Caloundra is Landsborough, and from there you can catch a bus into town. You can also get there with Greyhound coaches’ twice-daily services.