Port Adelaide Backpackers

Australia , Adelaide - SA
PORT ADELAIDE, 24 Nile St Port Adelaide South Australia 5015
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50 reviews shown

4/10

Poor

22 Mar 2026

Samantha

The room was super uncomfortable, it stinks and it needs a deep clean. Carpet shampoo, mattress cleaned, curtains too.
Also the shower is leaking 24/7.
There may even be bed bugs because I felt something biting me on my back in the middle of the night.
I am writing review to tell people about my experience plus your no refund policy because that’s also really bad for business.

Self

4/10

Poor

04 Feb 2026

Richard

This is not a hostel. It is a homeless shelter and should not be advertised on Expedia.
There are no on site staff to sign you in. It is done via camera and tv. The place is not clean and there are no amenities. The pictures used show a social area with young backpackers but this is definitely how the building is now.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

11 Jan 2026

David

I booked an eight bed dorm and was given a ten bed dorm. The downstairs kitchen is full of bugs. The upstairs kitchen is cleaner. The demographic is 50+ plus males.

Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2025

Matthew

No problem thanks for the stay.

Self

2/10

Poor

05 Nov 2025

Colin

No staff no advice on the area very uncomfortable room

2/10

Poor

19 Oct 2025

Saul

I was not a good place to go and was abused by tenants and felt unsafe and unconfortable and ther is no caretaker to sort issues and had to cancell stay and go someewher else and they wont refund the stay even tho they are resposible for the unsafe enviroment

2/10

Poor

12 Sep 2025

MOHAMED

It's was unsafe to stay there . People there they was fighting

2/10

Poor

12 Jul 2025

Natasha

Unsafe, dirty and only one remote (overseas) staff member.

We were checked in by a remote staff member working from overseas. There was no staff at the location and no one to contact after 9:30pm. On check-in, a non staff member assisted myself and one other person checking in, which was helpful, but could have been an issue if there was any ulterior motives to helping, particularly because we had a printer give us our code to the door.

Their signage says that there is no right to a refund, which is against consumer law in Australia. They say it’s about change of mind, but the service provided here is well below what I would expect of even the cheapest hostels I’ve stayed at.

We were unable to use the kitchen due to other people being passive aggressive and who proceeded to speak violently about us outside our door and window.
They threatened to harm us.
By this time, there was no where else we could stay and no one at the hotel to contact.

There was a child unsupervised in the hallways who was crying at times. The child stayed in that hallway for up to an hour before the parents came back and this happened multiple times that night.

There was a moderate level of cleanliness, but that was overshadowed by a toilet that was flooding and not properly sealed to the ground, dirty stained bedding and duct tape that seemed to be holding the beds together.

I don’t recommend staying here and I believe this place is not a property fit to be used as accommodation.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

18 Jun 2025

Wouldnt let my Dogs Still here Full of Drughead, Drunks and ppl Fighting all night long
Beds are rough even in the family rooms the hygiene is horrifying, the kitchen are allaays a mess. You talk.tp.the staff thou a.tv screen and there is noone on site only a. Cleaner that comes Tv was broke ,Draws Broke

6/10

Pleasant

10 Jun 2025

Bryan

Alright place in generally and have your own room upstairs but facilities definitely need major repairs ie broken shower heads and cramped toilets

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

08 Dec 2024

Anthony

Absolutely terrible place. Place is a health risk room absolutely stinks like cat pee . Black mold in the showers and bath rooms.I do not recommend staying there its not a back packers it a half way house Absolute S##T hole

Self

2/10

Poor

18 Nov 2024

Stephanie

Don't stay here! I am actually from Adelaide and needed a spot close to port Adelaide for the weekend. I have stayed at plenty backpackers in my time and let me tell you, this is not a backpackers. No staff on premises, obviously It was more than likely too dangerous to have someone at the check-in desk, so check-in in is via web call. No travellers to be seen anywhere. this place is for those who unfortunately have nowhere to go or are struggling with a drug addiction of some kind. My door didn't lock properly. I walked in, took a look at the room and basically walked out immediately. no gendered toilet/ shower blocks. terrifying if you are concerned for your safety as a woman and even as a man. Don't waste your money. It's a halfway house not a backpacker's hostel. Port Adelaide is a great place, it's unfortunate that hostel lies about their premises.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2024

Donna

Found the place very clean quiet and peaceful

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

23 Sep 2024

Kevin

It was ok for value

2/10

Poor

23 Sep 2024

Megan

DONT STAY HERE

Business Self

4/10

Poor

30 Aug 2024

Pat

Won't stay here again.

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2024

Shane

Safe and friendly people

4/10

Poor

02 Jun 2024

Hung Song

The room is smelly and the kitchen is in a mess. I need to check out early in the morning. But there is no instruction/staff there for checking out.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

07 Dec 2023

The power points don't work can't charge a phone in an area that isn't entirely public the points in the rooms don't work

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Nov 2023

Prince

I love it

6/10

Pleasant

23 Oct 2023

Mr Simon M

Room we booked had poo on the quilt upon arrival. Had room changed but was not what we paid for.

Partner

2/10

Poor

17 Sep 2023

Verified traveler

Not a safe place to stay! Avoid if you can!

Try Not to stay here if possible! The accommodation is not safe at all, the doors are always open and anyone can come in or get out, i saw a few people sleeping on the couch, and I’m sure they didn’t have a room, so was a bit scary, everyone can stay here as there is Not a receptionist in this accommodation, they work from home so when u check in you have to press the button and you’ll be talking to someone who is working from home.
There are Not tourists here either, most people staying here are residents.
The place is not very clean either.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2023

peace~ and love~~

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jun 2023

Bryan

It’s a quiet simple and nice place

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 May 2023

Andrew

All good. Reception is virtual, staffs are also nice. They do not use physical keys which is great.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

13 May 2023

Haris R

Close to everything. Budget friendly!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

08 May 2023

Marvin

I don't like the toilet s

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

07 May 2023

Gianluca

Our sheets were dirty.

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

14 Mar 2020

Catherine

A good place to stay

Nice, clean, 30 min walking from beach

Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2020

Chris

Excellent value for money. I paid a little extra to get a room to myself; if I'd taken a shared room it would have been even more outstanding value for money. I had a car; parking was on-street, but easy to find {although the whole of the location was very quiet}.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2020

Jack

ood clean well run accommodation

friendly easygoing place to stay for a while, nice people , Derek the manager is very helpful and accomodating giving consideration to each individual's needs, happy to stay here anytime in future as needed.

Self

8/10

Excellent

22 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

A towel should be provided for dorm stayers, not very good at informing where all areas are and what facilities the place offers. Didn't know where I could smoke as well as where I could do laundry or make a tea. No one was around at the time I needed to know these.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

21 Nov 2019

Virchal reception was feeling weird... an Asian young girl located overseas checked me in on the screen...
Really difficult to communicate with her
Otherwise nobody working there so some Backpacker’s guided me for the facility...

Condition was poor. Bathroom, kitchen etc were yucky

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

31 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

The Managent and staff were very friendly. It is out of city Travel. The billing is I am most concern My copy of actual Final biii is A$204.00 But on my credit card for $240.04 there is a descripancy of over chage on my account for 36.04. the.trusting this error will be corrected

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

02 Feb 2019

Rod

Not Happy !!!!

Very Average ! It began with getting a call, a week before my stay, to change my booking from a double bed to a single bed (bunks). This was because I was by myself and a couple wanted the double bed. I said no. Arrived at the premises to be greeted by a video screen at the check in counter. Personal touch, I think not. Enter to find a very austere looking room. The beds mattress was very average, T.V. had no remote and there was food scraps on the floor. Yes, I know it is a Backpackers and not the Ritz but you can still cover the basics !!!

8/10

Excellent

21 Oct 2018

Oldie

Absence of reception staff and printed information about how to book in/check out/get help, left me confused when I arrived until an off-duty employee (?) turned back when he saw me outside, wondering what on earth I should do (because no-one answered either of the phone numbers provided). He gave much-needed assistance initially, otherwise I would have been very worried. Place is basic but quite clean - which is all I needed for a brief overnight stay. Couldn't get the television in the room to work, and (again), nothing printed in the way of information/instructions to guide me, let alone a 'real person' to ask about it. I'd stay there again, but only because I finally know how things work there now - except for checking out woth no staff.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2018

Jessica

Great friendly staff

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Oct 2018

Hotel reception is removed so you end up talking to a poor overworked lady on a monitor who really can do nothing except check you in. There are no room keys, everything is by coded door locks so keep your multiple combinations with you at all times. WiFi does not reach into the rooms and only allows you to log in once daily so get everything done in the common area the first time you log in each day or be prepared to walk down the block and use the free WiFi at the Port Adelaide information center. Rooms are pretty clean but there are ants in the rooms. There is unrepaired breakage around the property, damaged doors, missing knobs on taps but for the most part things seem to work. The location is only a few blocks from the many activities in Pirt Adelaide. We watched the dolphins breach in the river, visited the National Railway Museum and the Maritime Museum. Parking can be an issue during weekdays as only 2 hour parking is available on the street by the hostel from 9 to 5 on weekdays.

8/10

Excellent

01 Oct 2018

Address is listed as 24 Hale Street but you cannot enter through that door, instead go to the door on Nelson Street around the corner to the west. Reception is attended remotely via a computer screen so marks off for that. Facilities are functional and clean but there is unprepared breakage. Location is very convenient to the Maritime, National Railroad, and Aviation museums. WiFi does not work in the rooms so you have to go to a common area and when you sign off the first time, you may not be able to get back on for a day. Shopping and food are very convenient. No keys, everything is done by combination lock. Bathrooms are shared. I would stay here again because of the low price and good location.

2/10

Poor

06 Aug 2018

Whizz

No manger or staff at hostel I don't feel safe

There is no staff at hostel at all nobody to check you in no staff to run the place I recommend to Expedia not to allow this hostel to advertise with Expedia I was texted a invalid out dated key code for front door and and locked out all night as I came back late on 1st night had no staff on premises to let me in I was stranded outside all night in the middle of winter I was going to contact Expedia for a refund but the terms and conditions don't allow refunds this hostel is a joke and there's no safety without staff and is a fire hazard I'm very surprised Expedia has this place in its listings no happy with Expedia at all

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2018

Verified traveler

Budget accommodation but with excellent staff

Really great onsite management. Great cleanliness.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2017

Maddy

Cheap

Such a cheap place to stay and so worth it. Met some lovely backpackers and there was plenty to do around the hostel. Close to shops and nice restaurants. Really enjoyed staying here

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2017

Udayan

Full value

It is a nice cozy place in a budget. Well managed by owner Derek. Clean kitchen, free pool and casual easy ambiance. I wish they increase daily free wifi from 300 mb to minimum 800.

8/10

Excellent

24 Jan 2017

brian

Pubs galore nearby

Staff and guests all friendly. Private quite adequate, with air conditioning fridge etc.

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2017

Damien

Great place nice and cheap

Good stay.

6/10

Pleasant

04 Dec 2016

YODA

Budget, that's for sure.

Very basic. Not a lot of facilities. For the budget price it resanable.

4/10

Poor

23 Nov 2016

Jeremy David

True backpackers hostel

The on-site staff was very accommodating. The facilities could use a good cleaning and a little paint would help.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Nov 2016

Cheryl

Convient and budget

The check in was quick but perfer in person then by monitor. The dorm room was tidy with lockers. The showers and bathrooms needs some upgrading. Close to shops.

4/10

Poor

24 Aug 2016

Port Adelaide Backpackers

I could not believe that to check in I had to talk to someone on Skype at their \"virtual reception desk\". It was hard to understand the person on the other end, extremely offputting and in short a very unfriendly process. If you needed something like a towel, or bowls and cutlery the virtual receptionist can't help you!

8/10

Excellent

26 May 2016

Dinga

Overnighter in Port Adelaide

Went to a meet & greet at the Port Adelaide Naval Association and needed overnight accommodation.