Nomads (Formerly Base) Magnetic Island

Australia , Great Barrier Reef-Whitsundays - QLD
MAGNETIC ISLAND, 1 Nelly Bay Road
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50 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

13 May 2025

Laurie

Bathroom and wifi not great but beautiful spot

Self

4/10

Poor

19 Feb 2025

Paige

Disappointed and Dirty

I recently stayed at Nomads on Magnetic Island, and unfortunately, my experience was far from pleasant. Upon arrival, I was struck by the unkempt state of the hostel.

The dormitory I was assigned to was warm and uncomfortable, dispite the old loud AC unit and the bedding provided looked worn. The bunk beds were loud and unsteady, which made it hard to relax. The bathrooms were another issue; they were poorly maintained. The girls showers were out of service. There was toliet paper and paper towel left all over the floor.

The atmosphere, which could have been vibrant and welcoming, was dampened by the lack of upkeep and the overall disorganization.

I had high hopes for my stay, given the beautiful location, but the neglected conditions of Nomads overshadowed the charm of Magnetic Island. I would not recommend this hostel unless significant improvements are made.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2024

Patrick

Love the view from the huts in the morning

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2023

Barbara

Loved my stay

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2023

Mark

I enjoyed my stay, staff were super helpful with all the information. Breakfast was amazing.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2023

Kevin

Such a great place, we got to see two wales when we were checking in! Loved the food.

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2023

Martha

The view from the little house is amazing. Cannot beat that. Nevertheless, the food at the bar was very average. The bed was comfortable but I feel there more cleaning and maintenance is needed.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

17 Jun 2023

Taris

Cheap as if you don’t get Covid or hepatitis you done well

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

23 May 2023

Barry

Too much like a Disco, than a peaceful Hostel

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2023

Brodie

Excellent venue with great views and beach access

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2021

dahabo

Overall enjoyed my stay, did not enjoy the loud music till midnight on a weekday.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2020

Michael

Poor mans Maldives

A little hut over the water - perfect spot.
Nothing flash, very private and the view over the water with the waves crashing on the rocks made this place perfect.
The room is basic but tidy. No fridge or anything like that so be sure to utilise the communal kitchen. Not having a bathroom was easier then expected and the communal block was always clean.
Didn’t spend anytime at the restaurant or bar so can’t comment on these.
Great base to hire yourself a scooter and zoom around the island.
5 min ride into the main town. Breakfast at a shack was a 5 min walk. First time staying at a backpackers and I was pleasantly surprised. Would def stay there again.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2019

Gemma

Base Review

The location of the hostel is right on the beach and easy to get to from the harbour. We stayed in a double room which was fine for a couple of nights. The evening entertainment is good and there is something on every night. Room was fine and what we expected, could have been a little cleaner but was okay for the most part.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 May 2019

Verified traveler

This is a great hostel, defianltey a party hostel but if you get a room furthest from the bar no issues on sleep. Staff are fabulous, friendly, helpful and full of energy.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

23 Nov 2018

Charlotte

Stunning view

Great hostel and amazing view, just bear in mind it is a young atmosphere and known for its sensational parties.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2017

Verified traveler

Amazing location and view

The location of this backpackers was the best of any I've ever stayed in! Backed up right along the beach.

2/10

Poor

01 Dec 2016

Thomas

Had a few bad experiences with the room, WiFi and kitchen.

6/10

Pleasant

16 Sep 2016

Verified traveler

It was a cheap mattress that felt a bit wirey. The check-in staff seemed to be unprofessional and inexperienced.

8/10

Excellent

30 Aug 2016

Darvid

What a great buzz place

Great atmosphere, especially for backpackers in early 20's.
Found after 40 years gap, backpacker hostels are still the same lively places.
Everyone is there to enjoy themselves and they do, especially with well orchestrated night activities.
Can walk from Nelly Bay to hostel in less than 30 minutes.
Buses run hourly ish from Base into town.

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2016

Verified traveler

Hostel on the beach

The hostel dorms are in cute triangular shaped beach huts and most have great views from them. They are however very cramped inside especially on the top bunks as the ceiling inclines. There are some old rusty lockers under the beds but you need your own lock. The wifi is basically terrible most of the time even though I paid $6 for the premium wifi for 24hrs!
Lively hostel with a good atmosphere.

6/10

Pleasant

12 Oct 2015

Verified traveler

Fantastic position over the ocean

Wonderful position perched on the rocks with the waves crashing beneath. great party atmosphere. Unfortunately a solid 30mins walk to any amenities and the room was poorly maintained with broken fan and window boarded with timber that wouldn't open. No tv or chairs in room. Would be a sauna if no sea breeze.

8/10

Excellent

29 Sep 2014

cassandra

Value: Affordable; Service: Professional, Respectful, Friendly; Cleanliness: Tidy, Neat;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2014

Jesamine

Facilities: Old; Value: Over-priced; Service: Friendly; Cleanliness: Tidy;

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2014

Shane

Facilities: Outstanding; Value: Bargain; Service: Go the extra mile; Cleanliness: Immaculate;

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2014

Melissa

Magnetic island is just a lovely place to be.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2014

smileygal

Value: Bargain;

6/10

Pleasant

09 Jul 2014

out

Facilities: Tired; Value: Reasonable; Service: Sufficient;
its decent for a backpackers. just no good for couples.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2014

Lauren

Facilities: Good, Basic but comfy; Value: Great deal; Service: Great staff; Cleanliness: Spotless;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2014

Tom

Great location

I good place to stay but need to have in mind that's a backpacker place to party on :D

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2014

ruth

enjoyed the tropical rain

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Jan 2014

Sio

Value: Average price; Service: Go the extra mile; Cleanliness: Tidy;

8/10

Excellent

09 Jan 2014

Dylan

Facilities: Nice ; Value: Bargain; Service: Courteous; Cleanliness: Clean;
Great place for parties

Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Nov 2013

Matthew

Facilities: Typical; Value: Bargain, Fantastic; Service: Courteous; Cleanliness: Neat, Nice;
Private bungalows have great views of the beach and ocean.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2013

Hayley

Facilities: Nice , But the kitchen; Value: Nice package; Service: Friendly; Cleanliness: Clean, But the kitchen;
Nice to be sort of away from rush but had bus for easy access still

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2013

Jason

Facilities: Nice ; Value: Bargain; Service: Friendly; Cleanliness: Hygienic ;
easy access to all the wonders of magnetic island

8/10

Excellent

29 Oct 2012

Terry

Facilities: Nothing special; Value: Could be better; Service: Professional, Friendly, Courteous; Cleanliness: Pleasant;
The full moon down under is an event not to be missed

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2012

Jessica

Facilities: State of the art; Value: Great deal; Service: Phenomenal; Cleanliness: Immaculate;
Ladies night is definately the best night! Free drinks + table dancing + midnight swims = one unforgettable night!

8/10

Excellent

16 Aug 2012

ross

Facilities: Everyday; Value: Great deal; Service: Friendly, Courteous; Cleanliness: Tidy;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2012

Jayne

Facilities: Good; Value: Economical; Service: Sufficient, Helpful, Polite; Cleanliness: Tidy;
Great for younger people

4/10

Poor

11 Jul 2012

Mike

Facilities: Tired; Value: Unreasonable, compared to Koala Village; Service: Tardy, Lacking, no record of booking; Cleanliness: Poor;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2012

Jason

Facilities: Tired; Value: Inexpensive; Service: Phenomenal, Evey was amazing thanks; Cleanliness: Poor;
Eve was so amazing, I would only ever stay there again in deluxe bungalow with ensuite, and not in full moon time,

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 May 2012

Verified traveler

AWESOME!!!

everyone was so friendly, amazing landscape, the beds were surprisingly satisfying, PARTY WAS AWESOME!!! all round great experience. would do it again.

8/10

Excellent

30 Jan 2012

Rachel

Base Fun

Great fun, staff and facilities encourage interaction between all people staying. Excellent entertainment in the bar especially for a Tuesday night. Backpackers and young people alike will really enjoy this place.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2011

Jared

Perfect Island Hostel

I had such an incredible time, and the X Base Magnetic hostel was a big part of that. Younger crowd, lots of friendly people from all over the world travelling through, island bar with great parties nightly, and located on the beach/ocean in Nelly Bay. Conditions are extremely lacking in rooms (basically run-down shacks for housing luggage, equipment, etc.), but who wants to stay in their room at a place like this? Not ideal if you're looking for a clean, ritzy establishment. But if you just want to hang out on an island and party for a few days, it's perfect.

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jan 2011

Verified traveler

Right on the beach

That's as good as it gets at this supreme backpackers hostel. I've built better tool sheds than what they consider guest rooms.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2023

Joanna

Sehr cooles Hostel. Einziger Kritikpunkt war, dass die Toiletten weit weg war und man in der Nacht raus musste.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2019

Riku

Amazing view

Our private room on the beach was so nice. Breakfast was also delicious. The room wasn't so clean and bed was very very hard!!

Partner

4/10

Poor

01 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

überteuert und dreckig

Das Hostel hat eine echt schöne Lage am Strand aber dreckigen Zimmern und Bädern sowie überteuerte Preise machen den Aufenthalt nicht wirklich zu einem
Genuss. An Schlaf ist vor Mitternacht nicht zu denken da unnötigerweise nicht nur der Barbereich massiv beschallt wird sondern 2 Boxen auch Richtung der Bungalows ausgerichtet sind und diese mit Lärm versorgen.
Betten quietschen extrem!

8/10

Excellent

11 Sep 2016

stephanie

Correcte

Mon séjour à été mitigé concernant l'auberge les chambre sont minuscule 6 lit le ménage n'est pas fait du tout sauf quand les chambre sont vide les salle de bain sont bien et propre par contre la cuisine aussi le point noir c'est le wifi 4 le normal et 6 le premium par jour sauf que le premium et passable impossible de regarder une vidéo sans qu'elle beug et le normal n'en parlons même pa 10 minute pour ouvrir une page c'est extrêmement cher et ça ne marche pas vraiment sinon l'auberge et bien située en bord de plage il y a dès soirée c'est sympa je le recommande malgré tout mais pour 1 ou 2 jours suffisant

4/10

Poor

27 Oct 2013

Helen

Isolerat partyställe

Fick ett mycket dåligt bemötande när jag anlände på morgonen. När jag fråga vad som fanns och göra på ön. Fick jag ett argt svar att det får jag ta reda på själv, så peka hon på en broschyr. WiFee som jag betala för fungera mycket dåligt. Det finns inget på gång avstånd från Base, utan man måste ta buss. Inget ställe jag rekommenderar utan det är bättre att bo i Horseshoe Bay. Där har du nära till kaféer, restaurang och olika aktiviteter. Base är ett partyställe för ungdomar, de har till och med "Hangover breakfast" på menyn.