It’s a ‘Net Gain for Hostels Down Under

Travelers on student-style budgets can now prearrange budget accommodations in Australia over the Internet using a new reservation service operated by the Australian Youth Hostel Assn. (YHA). Don’t overcommit yourself, though. It’s wise to book a bed ahead of your arrival when you’ll be jet-lagged. But with such a wide range of hostel facilities throughout the country, there will be plenty of choices (unless you are traveling in the peak Christmas holiday period) to make once you’re there.

The YHA has 140 budget accommodation facilities throughout Australia. All hostel information from the “YHA Handbook” is posted on the YHA Internet site at https://www.yha.com.au, including maps for finding hostels, rates, amenities and reservation forms. On the site you can search for a hostel by location or by activities. If whale watching or surfing is one of your interests, it’s easy to find out where to stay to be close to those opportunities.

No age restrictions are imposed, and some hostels have special rooms for individuals, families or couples. You should expect most guests to be young adults, but because the backpacking industry is so well developed in Australia, people of all ages use it.

In a 1997 study called “Understanding the Backpacker Market,” Tourism New South Wales reported that of the more than 200,000 travelers who described themselves as touring on a tight budget, the typical one was 20 to 35 years old, educated, adventurous and price conscious; 12% of those surveyed were at least age 40.

Reserving rooms by Internet not only saves on expensive phone charges, it also eliminates the need to figure out time zone differences. You also can receive your confirmation by e-mail, which can be especially helpful if you are traveling when you request your booking. YHA Internet reservations can be made from three days to six months in advance of your arrival. Normally confirmations are made within 24 hours.

To use the new YHA Internet reservation service you must be a member of the worldwide umbrella organization Hostelling International. You can join after you arrive, but it’s best to sign up in your own country. For membership information, call (310) 393-6263.

You can also surf over to other sites operating hostels in Australia. They include V.I.P. at https://www.backpackers.com.au; Nomads at https://www.nomads-backpackers.com; and the new AusHome Hostel Network at https://www.homehostel.com.

The AusHome Hostel Network has just begun to offer budget bed and breakfast, pension style, at backpacker prices of $29 to $36 per couple, per night. It’s designed for travelers who want to meet Australians in their homes. Currently the network has host homes in New South Wales and Queensland, and homes will be available in Melbourne soon.

You can also find information on Australian backpacker budget tours and transportation services on the Internet, including Oz Experience at https://www.ozexperience.com; Wayward Bus at https://www.waywardbus.com.au; and Wonderbus at https://www.wonderbus.com.au.

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Don’t be surprised to find that even backpacker services are booked up or have their prices bumped up for the millennium celebration. But in London you can still make reservations at Hostelling International hostels (there are seven in the city) at regular rates. Two-night bookings (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1) start at $60 per person, in a multi-bed room. For details, tel. 011-44-171-373-3400.

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Lucy Izon is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Internet https://www.izon.com.