Billabong Gardens: Budget Lodging in Sydney, Australia

I travelled to Australia at the beginning of 2005 in order to attend a theatre course a Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art. As my budget had alread largely been consumed by airfare and my tuition fees, finding affordable accomodations that would allow me necessary rest as well as a good starting point for exploring Sydney was a top priority. A youth hostel was the last solution I had in mind, picturing lots of noise and beach culture, neither of which is entirely my speed. In examining my options, there was one thing I heard over and over again about a place called Billabong Gardens - "Yes, it's a hostel, but it's different." And so upon finding out that they had beds available for the busy January season, and at the reasonable rate of A$125 per week, I took the plunge.

I'll confess that all was not smooth sailing at first. I arrived in Sydney on New Year's Day, and despite assurances in my email and phone communications with Billabong Gardens, there was no one to check me into my room. I even met a fellow traveller who had been there since the previous night, relying on the kindness of strangers to get into their room, as no one had been available to check her in. Luckily, staff did arrive by noon, and were incredibly helpful thereafter with everything from offering me an additional room discount because of the unusual length of my stay (Normally hostels, Billabong Gardens included, restrict guests to a two week stay. They accomodated me for over three.) to being incredibly helpful with the recovery of my lost luggage.

Billabong Gardens has several rooming options. I stayed in a co-ed dormitory style room with a total of six beds (3 bunks), and a private bath. The room was rarely full. Single-sex dorm rooms, as well as slightly cheaper rooms with a shared bath down the hall are also available. For those with the budget to avoid dormitory living, a second group of traditional, double occupancy rooms are also available. Ammenities for all guests include access to a large kitchen, an outdoor barbeque and a small pool, as well as a lounge room with a television and Internet access (unlike many hostels these common areas closed at midnight to keep the noise down). Safes are available for small valuables, and a payphone is also on site (the desk will take messages for you if needed, and you can receive mail there). While I didn't interact much with my fellow guests, they were all friendly travellers of all ages, mostly from AsiaPacific, although there were several Brits on hand as well. My only complaint beyond the initial logistical problem was poor water pressure, which seemed more a feature of Sydney as a whole than of the accomodations.

Newtown, the suburb in which Billabong Gardens is located, is known for high quality, cheap dining options, a range of "op shops" (much like consignment and vintage stores here in the States) and is considered particularly friendly to goths, punks and gay women. The neighborhood is safe, with no shortage of activities within walking distance. A quick bus ride or trip on City Rail gets one to Circular Quay (a major public transit hub and the location of the Opera House), at which point it's easy to transfer to a bus out to the beaches, walk to a range of high end shopping options, or pop over to the neighborhood I fell in love with, Darlinghurst. Newtown's only significant drawback is that bus and rail service to it ends around midnight, necessitating taking taxis on late evenings.

A cross between an inn and a youth hostel, Billabong Gardens provides excellent value and safety in a fun, accessible Sydney suburb. If you want the price of a youth hostel, without the hassel, I highly recommend it, but encourage you to expect the unexpected and to double and tripple check your plans with them if you are arriving on a calendar holiday.