The Top 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Darwin

From the coast of Queensland to the street art in Melbourne and the vast outback, Australia is a country that offers many different types of adventures. (Check out my top 30 epic Aussie experiences for more ideas) Darwin is the capital of Northern Territory, and a city that many travellers miss out on which is a shame. If you’re traveling in Southeast Asia there are cheap flights from Bali to Darwin so it could make sense to start your Aussie adventure here. While Darwin may not be such a big backpacker hub when compared to places like Sydney, Bryon Bay and Melbourne, there are still a few good backpacker hostels in Darwin to choose from.

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Darwin is an ideal place to visit if you’re interested in beaches, museums, and nature. You can easily spend the day at Mindil Beach ( don’t miss the sunset beach markets held on Thursday and Sunday nights from April until October) or at the Museum & Art Gallery located in the city. There’s also Berry Springs, an amazing day trip from Darwin to an emerald green spring that blends into the trees around it, with a picnic and BBQ area nearby. If learning about crocodiles spikes your interests, then make sure to visit the Crocosaurus Cove and see live saltwater crocodiles. Darwin is also a good jumping off point to exploring Kakadu National Park.

Darwin is a fun place to backpack and learn a bit about Australian culture. Australia is expensive but luckily there are many great backpacker hostels where you can stay on a budget and met other backpackers. Many hostels even have swimming pools, cafes and bars. Some have organised activities that make it easy to make new friends and many have kitchens so you can cook your own food to save even more money. Each hostel offers something different, and where you stay can make or break your trip. So to help you decide these are my 5 favourite backpacker hostels in Darwin.

Best Backpacker Hostels in Darwin

Frogs-Hollow Backpackers

Frogs-Hollow Backpackers is one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin because of its location, only 14 minutes walking distance from the beach. They offer you air conditioned rooms, perfect for those hot summer days in Northern Australia. There’s a shared kitchen in the hostel if you want to cook your own food, and tours for guests around Darwin and the area, which is a great way to meet other travellers. They serve up a delicious continental breakfast every morning, and you can take advantage of the pool and spa centre.

Frogs hollow was rated as ‘the best backpackers in Darwin’ by Lonely Planet in 2002 and is still owned and run by the same friendly family team. It’s located directly in front of a nice park, which is a great place to hang out with the friends you make at the hostel. If you want to be located near the beach, then this is one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin so its not surprising that most backpackers end up extneding their stay and finding it hard to leave! Click here to book!

Down Under Hostels on Mitchell

Another one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin is Down Under Hostels on Mitchell. There’s a big variety of rooms to choose from, from private rooms to 2, 4, 6, 8 bed dorms that are mixed or female only. All rooms have very comfortable beds and air conditioning, which makes it that much easier to have a good nights sleep! There’s a pool area which makes this the perfect hostel for not only socializing and meeting other travellers, but for sun bathing and relaxing.

There’s a fully equipped kitchen, which makes this a perfect place to stay if you’re on a budget and need to make your own food. It’s in a great location in the CBD only a few minutes walk to many bars and restaurants around Darwin and it’s only a 15min walk to the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. There’s also free unlimited fast wifi, and free laundry The beach is only a couple of kilometres away from the hostel. It’s a great place to relax and meet other travellers. Click here to book!

Melaleuca on Mitchell – Darwin YHA

YHA is always one of my ‘go to’ brands for backpacker hostels in Australia and the Darwin YHA – Melaleuca on Mitchell is one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin because of its amazing, homey atmosphere and friendly vibes. It’s even winner of TNT Magazine’s 2017 Golden Backpacks Award for Best Accommodation in the Northern Territory.

There’s 2 outdoor swimming pools, a waterfall hot tub, and a bar, making it an amazing place to come and relax and socialize with the other backpackers. The air-conditioned rooms have individual security lockers. There’s also a rooftop deck with a TV, a chill out area with beanbags, and a large dining area for you to enjoy your meals. They offer you themed nights by the poolside bar, which is open daily.

Melaleuca on Mitchell also offer you tours to nearby National Parks, making it that much easier to see the surrounding area without having to worry much about planning. It’s in a perfect location in Darwin, close to many bars and restaurants, and an amazing place to socialize and meet other travellers. Click here to book!

Youth Shack Backpackers Darwin

Youth Shack Backpackers Darwin is one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin because of its central location and affordable accommodation. It’s an awesome place to meet other travellers because of its social ‘home away from home’ atmosphere. You don’t need to leave the hostel to have fun, the staff play music during the day time and you can relax by the pool and soak in the sun.

There’s also an on site bar and sun terrace and the common room boasts a TV for movies and a billiard table, making it the perfect place to chill out after spending the day exploring the city. The hostel staff can also help hook you up with great deals on tours to places like Kakadu, Litchfield National Park and Uluru. The hostel is also centrally located, only minutes away from shops, restaurants, cafes, and barsIt’s only 5 minutes away from Darwin Harbour. Click here to book!

Chillis Backpackers

This centrally located hostel is one of the best backpacker hostels in Darwin. Chillis Backpackers is a tranquil backpacker haven nestled in the very heart of the city, only minutes from tons of restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops. They have a beautiful rooftop terrace with a hot tub, making it a great place to come and relax after spending the day exploring the city. You’ll get air conditioned rooms and personal security lockers.

There’s a comfortable common area and very clean rooms and bathrooms. The shared open air kitchen and dining area is in a lovely location on a covered balcony overlooking Mitchell St which is a great place to cook in the summertime to enjoy the Australian sunshine. Click here to book!

Have you stayed in any amazing backpacker hostels in Darwin? Leave your recommendations in the comments below the post and help out other backpackers! 😊

By the way – this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you find my recommendations for the best backpacker hostels in Darwin useful and choose to book through the links I provide I can earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you which helps me to keep traveling and to keep this site going. Thanks so much for your support! 🙂

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