Nomads Airlie Beach

Australia , Great Barrier Reef-Whitsundays - QLD
AIRLIE BEACH, Shute Harbour Road, 354
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75 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2025

Tara

First time here and loved it. Staff upon check-in was amazing. Loved the app the use to get into room and know of things around the hostel. I would recommend over and over again to stay here.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Nov 2025

Tara

Great location in Airlie- at the end of their main room. Staff were very welcoming and helpful. Room conditions were great, folks in the room were amazing. Private room was also spacious and a lovely treat to end my stay in Airlie.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

22 Aug 2025

DONNA

The condition of the rooms is terrible! Door falling off the hinge for the bathroom, felt dirty, the entire window fell out of the frame in the kitchen. Terrible esp considering the price!

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jun 2025

Elaine

Bathrooms and housekeeping need improving

I’ve stayed at a few Nomad’s and you usually know what to expect, big rooms and pretty comfy beds. This property was great in terms of facilities it’s a big site with a lot of stuff to do. However it really let itself down by the terrible state of the bathrooms. The shower in my en suite was the worst I’ve ever come across in a hostel. The taps barely worked and you had to turn a knob to get the water to flow as if you left it on the shower would leak. Yesterday the whole shower fell apart and water sprayed everywhere. Once I’d finished I left the bathroom and got a pretty harsh shock from the switch in the bathroom and one of the girls in my room said she’d had the same thing the day before so today I went to use the camper showers instead but got barely a trickle from it at points. Housekeeping made the floors in the bedroom so wet everyday there was a puddle that never went away and was easy to slip up. They didn’t add anymore toilet paper on more than one occasion and left cigarette butts which had been left by French smokers outside the rooms were not cleaned. It’s a shame because apart from the dire bathrooms and poor housekeeping (and allowing smoking on the grounds) it’s actually a great hostel more like a resort. But those things really let it down. Comfy beds with privacy curtains and big lockers were great.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

13 May 2025

Laurie

They didnt clean the room the whole stay (5 days). Shared bathroom with 3 other girls…

Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2025

Verified traveler

A very good place

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

12 Jan 2025

Vianney

The accomodation wasn’t the cleanest or best maintained in terms of amenities, however the staff were brilliant and helpful in ensuring a wonderful holiday. It’s on the Main Street of Airlie Beach which made transport, dining and activities super accessible.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

15 Oct 2024

Mario

The furniture was rotting and falling apart.
Bed was very uncomfortable. Spa bath was not clean enough to use. Toilet cistern was broken. TV was very small and not worth using. Very over priced. Will never stay there again.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2024

Rachel

Perfect location in the city, good size room and very helpful staff.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

06 Apr 2024

Mr Bernd

Poorly maintained budget accommodation.

Dilapidated Old room with few facilities. Very noisy. You could hear every noise from adjoining rooms. The shower head drooped so I had to bend down to wash my hair.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

31 Dec 2023

Verified traveler

Okay stay for backpackers

This is for backpackers. I must say I blame myself for not looking closely enough. I would not have booked this hotel for me. The private room was dated. There was not a single seat to sit on. The lighting was terrible. Good thing we only stayed one night

Partner

4/10

Poor

01 Dec 2023

Jennifer

Booked this through wotif.com. Nowhere in the wotif booking page does it mention this is backpacker accommodation. In fact it calls it a hotel. There were swarms of young people - schoolies? Room was spacious and clean, but very tired. May be ok for backpacker’s but certainly not up to par as a hotel.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

01 Oct 2023

Michael

Neat, basic, wow what a large property and big dorm rooms.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

03 Sep 2023

Sheila

There was nothing I liked about this property, spoilt my holiday intirely

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

02 Sep 2023

Sheri

The property itself was lovely, the room however was well below standards of hospitality with rusty bar fridge, mould showing on ceilings, no blanket, mismatching drapes, most missing hooks, leaking old aircon units and broken outdoor furniture.
Paying 198 for this unit was a total rip off.

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

22 Aug 2023

Fergus

Nowhere to sit, no chairs. 2 Mugs, 1 teaspoon no other crockery or cutlery. No light in toilet. Rusty metal roofing in shower cubicle. Shower taps loose, one fell off when turned on. CRACKED POWER POINT & LIGHT SWITCH in bathroom. Dirty unpainted toilet door. OLD rusty bar fridge with Chux cloth under door to catch the leaks.

Business_and_leisure Self

4/10

Poor

18 Aug 2023

Mark

Old and dirty room, no blanket for the bed, old curtains, poor value for the money we paid. Would not recommend.

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jun 2023

Kim

I ended up being checked into a room at base. It was very basic as to be expected as at backpackers. No TV though as my room was an individual room. No indoor or outdoor table and the front patio area was very dirty and last guests items still in the fridge. 2 star at best.

2/10

Poor

20 Jun 2023

Jouni

Don't recommend to anyone.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

08 Jun 2023

Denise

Hi well the rooms were very dusty and the shiwer doors have mould. Health n safety issue. Beds were clean and comfy. Staff at reception kind n helpful. Kitchen clean but small. Fan in room 13 was on and very noisey the button to turn off was broken fixed finally. Couldnt sleep easily

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

26 Jan 2023

Verified traveler

Poor value for money

Overall okay, but pretty expensive for what you get

Self

2/10

Poor

28 Dec 2022

A Lisl

We left without staying it was run downs and full of backpackers camping right in from of the room

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Dec 2022

Cesar

Reception is poorly laid out - I found the \"reception\" area underneath a giant sign that said nomads only to find out I have to go about two blocks to X Base Backpackers to check in and it took a bit for people to Reception is to the point and moves quickly. Got introduced to an app called GOKI that would act as my key; nice touch but would have preferred a room key.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

12 Nov 2022

Allison

Excellent location. Smack bag in the middle of it. Has parking. We had a private room. Was clean. Bed comfortable. Very strong bleach smell. Windows dont open. Was built in 70s. Hasnt been reno since. Can be loud but was quiet around 12am onwards. I would stay there again if no other choice.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2022

Katie

for a dry accommodation there was alot of parties an it was very loud so trying to sleep was a mission as there was a massive party full of drunk people next to me an the walls are very thin

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Sep 2022

Amanda

Awesome place very comfy

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2022

Samiah

Very inconsistent amongst rooms. Some were prepared better than others. Air conditioner did not work.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2022

Samiah

Decent

Very inconsistent between rooms. Some rooms had extra blankets and a TV. Ours didn’t, it was hard to sleep as there was a patio with a light that we couldn’t turn off. It made it hard to sleep.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Jul 2022

Aidan

As someone who has been travelling for nearly two months, it was great to meet fellow travellers closer to my own age group. Free walks and trips and special deals on food for those on a budget has been kost welcome. Clean room and en-suite for 4 felt like luxury. Reception staff very helpful

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

15 Jan 2022

Rachel

Shabby

4/10

Poor

21 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Did not feel safe staying here, very dirty, bed was not at all stable and one rail was broken, booked a female only dorm and was checked into a mix dorm without been told, others staying at the hostel were loud and inconsiderate, i ended up leaving and gaving to find somewhere else to stay

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2020

DAPHNE KATHERINE

Easy to walk around

The most available hostel in Airlie beach

Self

2/10

Poor

05 Dec 2020

Paul

I booked and paid but no one was there to check in and had to book a different hotel further away. Haven’t been refunded as yet and it’s been days now

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Huge place, ample rooms, nice pools, good laundry, so close to lagoon and beach, very close to shops and pub on site. Has rules but not obviously enforced.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2019

Jennifer

I'd stay again honestly

The layout was good, a but confusing with all the renos and changes going on, decent. The kitchen.. Currently.. Is a joke. Completely crap, also the laundry situation is not good, the washers are good but the dryers.. They had 5, 2 were 'working' but not actually so really just money suckers so let's say no dryers ha. Also, all the staff but 1 guy was very helpful and pleasent. But that 1 staff member... Was very rude and very unhelpful. The pools are nice and the vibe is good :) wifi is also a joke and basicly you don't have any but McDonald's is close by :)

8/10

Excellent

29 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Great

Everything was great, room was comfy and clean. Only downfall was Reception. Such massive queues of people checking in and out, with maybe only 2 people serving on reception. But maybe 4 or 5 members of staff begins reception not seeming to be doing much. There was an English girl on reception who was really helpful and speedy! Would recommend though, just be prepared to wait over 30minutes.

2/10

Poor

26 Jan 2019

Lisa

Humans vs Cockroaches: A Saga

This will go down in history as the dirtiest and most unbelievably disgusting place I've ever been. It's almost comical if it hadn't happened to me. There was mold all over the bathrooms, lines/armies of ants running from the trash can - up the wall - across the doors - and into the toilets. There are large brown water spots all over the walls. Cobwebs EVERYWHERE with dead spiders caught in them (because even the spiders can't survive this place!). And I had the loveliest opportunity to have cockroaches run across my body while laying in my bed. The staff has made their peace with this and looked at me funny when I asked, \"hey can you clear out the dead spiderwebs that are a foot from my head?\" (Spoiler alert: they didn't). I didn't bother to look in the kitchen because other travelers warned me not to. My nerves were shot, so I spent the night watching the ceiling fan which had long strings of cobwebs dangling off the blades and spinning around over my head. It's just like counting sheep - but for low budget backpackers. Naturally, the fan was attached to the ceiling beam using duct tape, which added an extra element of danger and intrigue. I laid awake that night wondering would I rather by killed by the cockroaches, the ant nation, or the fan once the tape loses grip. Great times!

2/10

Poor

26 Jan 2019

Lisa

Humans vs Cockroaches: A Saga

8/10

Excellent

05 Nov 2018

Nice hostel part of Base so annoying you have to walk further up to check in and takes longer.
Clean room with a nice bathroom and good location.

2/10

Poor

03 Nov 2018

Rose

Private room was terrible
Rust all over the fridge and not clean by any standards

8/10

Excellent

06 Oct 2018

Amanda

All you need.

Clean,tidy and convenient. Older style rooms on Main Street in Airle Beach.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

04 May 2018

Sebastian

Filthy kitchen, but rooms are nice together with the location in Airlie!

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Great budget stay

Perfect location basically across the road from the Lagoon, close to supermarket and all the night life. Room is quite spacious with some natural light. It’s basically a free standing little flat with a high sealing, two showers, washroom and a toilet. Nice swimming pool. Staff is as quite helpful too. Very pleasant in overall, especially if you are staying over with the group of people and need a cheap accommodation.

4/10

Poor

02 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Not good

The room was disgusting the fridge was rusty titles missing dead bugs throughout and major ant infestation wouldn’t stay again I realise it’s back packers but should still be in a comfortable state

10/10

Exceptional

04 Dec 2017

hoang x

great placer

Family

4/10

Poor

29 May 2017

Verified traveler

Overcrowded due to cyclone damage.

Mainly due to the cyclone and Nomads being closed, everything was going through base. Kitchen was crowded, no room to store anything in the kitchen, expensive luggage storage. Rooms were clean and had their own bathroom which was nice

6/10

Pleasant

20 Feb 2017

Pia

Great staff!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2017

Jordy

Great Stay!!! Excellent accommodation

I booked a 10 day holiday for my 20 year photographer son at Nomads. He was very impressed with the staff, who were
very helpful. The four dorm accommodation was lovely & clean and well serviced. Great kitchen & entertainment area
where you can meet fellow travellers!!!...Overall a great experience and highly recommended.

2/10

Poor

19 Dec 2016

Helle Kruse

Go sone where else, dont waste your money

This place is so run down. And it seems nobody cares ex. The pools where closed apparently they didn't work until further notice????. Got a shared room where the a/c broke down, switch room where the a/c was so noisy it was like trying to fall a sleep with a massive truck turned on in the room. The staff, all working holidaymakers did their best to help and were very friendly but it was so clear in what they said the management of the don't care at all about the place.

4/10

Poor

12 Nov 2016

Christina

Central but I need if refurbishment!

It's a bit run down and needs to be renovated. A/C does not work well at all, makes a lot if noice.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2016

Verified traveler

Nice rooms

In regards to the staff some we're awesome and super helpful, and other others seemed like they could just care less. I was put in a 8 bed mix. I was the only person of the opposite sex. Fine whatever, but there was just one bed available and there was something on the bed that I can just assume was a fluid from a human. That was the only issue I had with cleanliness, but thankfully the person at reception had no problem with changing the sheet. Aside from the sheet situation I would recommend this hostel. It was convenient to have the bathroom in the room.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Sep 2016

Becky

Party - ok

This was an ok hostel very party not my thing but if your name is Rod and like to party - go here.

6/10

Pleasant

20 Aug 2016

Chris

Not a bad place to stay in Airlie Beach

Checking in was easy and being able to park my rental car at the back of the grounds was good. A young kiwi lad that was just new on the day was very friendly and looks like he will be a quality employee. I was also able to book in a day tour for Whitehaven Beach with a very bubbly English chick despite most of the tours being booked out for the next day. I found my bed to be comfortable and overall it was not a bad place to stay at. Checking out was a different story however as the female staff member at reception that morning had a poor attitude that was not up to standard and needs improvement.

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2016

Krystle

Good value

Stayed in a private room.

Room was HUGE. The place is a bit old, but everything worked and it was clean enough!

Free parking (limited - first come first served).

Very central location. But the rooms are set back far enough from the street that noise wasn't a problem. Could be though for people sensitive to noise. It was practically silent outside after 2am though.

8/10

Excellent

29 Feb 2016

linda

quicky

we only stayed 1 night, close to town and restaurants.Last minute booking.

6/10

Pleasant

19 Nov 2015

Verified traveler

Rooms are nicely done in a lodge style but the common areas - kitchen and chill out zones are somewhat dirty and small for the size of the complex.

Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Nov 2015

fred

We booked a room with a king size bed and stayed for 6 nights. The room was very large and clean. We had a change of towels half way through our stay but no change of sheets. The facilities were very good and staff went beyond their rostered duties to help ie: 'here use our computer and printer, no problems'.
The stay was relaxing and peaceful. We had some internet reception troubles to start off but once we found the 'spot' in our room with the best signal, all went well.
We definitely be back next year and recommend it to our friends.

4/10

Poor

24 Sep 2015

David

Backpackers haven

I found the resort extremely basic and oriented exclusively to the backpacker market. Rooms are sparce and poorly furnished and the level of noise at weekends made sleep difficult.
The XBase travel rep was very helpful and competent.

8/10

Excellent

29 Apr 2015

Verified traveler

Nice hostel just in the center

The hostel is just like a big resort itself! It's cheap and great location, the room is good enough for sleep

6/10

Pleasant

05 Apr 2015

Sriyani

Good for backpackers

I stayed in a private room (Room 21) for 2 nights. The room was spacious but the bed was creaky. The remote controller wasn't available in the room, so I had to walk back to the reception to be told that I have to make a $20 deposit. Why wasn't I told at the time of check-in which could have saved me the trouble? Soap wasn't available either. The reception staff didn’t have any in stock and said they will tell the housekeeping staff. I also left a note in the room, but no housekeeping was done after the first night stay and there was no soap for the second night either. As I couldn’t do without, I had to go to a nearby shop and buy.
The worst experience was giving me wrong directions which could have cost me a prepaid ($199) day tour. I booked the 3 islands tour with Cruise Whitsundays and I was supposed to be at the Port of Arlie, No:24, The Cove road before 8.30am. I learnt from the cruise operator that it was 10 minutes walk from the Nomads. When I asked directions from the girl at reception she sent me to the Abel point marina (the opposite direction). I walked 15 minutes and got there at 8.05 to be told that the departure point was a taxi ride away. The wonderful staff member at the kiosk called a taxi and I travelled all the way back (passing Nomads) and reach the terminal just before departure!
I wonder why the receptionist was so slack. I showed her the tour booking form and the address was clearly printed in it. Still she sent me to the wrong location.

4/10

Poor

23 Mar 2015

Verified traveler

Not worth $88

Thought we were getting a king size bed... Ended up being two single beds pushed together on a terrible bed frame. There's not many options in airlie but I wouldn't recommend this place.

8/10

Excellent

10 Feb 2015

Jimbo

Facilities: Nothing special; Value: Economical; Service: Sufficient; Cleanliness: Neat;
Very young crowd. Most people were under 25. Perfect for that age group.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Feb 2015

Søren

I would go back for short stays

-Good for the price. Double rooms are fine.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2015

Elyce

Value: Bargain; Service: Outstanding; Cleanliness: Spotless;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2014

Verified traveler

4 night stay

Staff very helpful when needed.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Oct 2014

Annie

Facilities: Good; Value: Amazing; Service: Outstanding; Cleanliness: Could be better;
Excellent locatiom

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2014

sydney

More lights please

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2014

Brett

Facilities: Everything you need; Value: Priced appropriately; Service: Professional, Friendly, Courteous; Cleanliness: Pleasant;

8/10

Excellent

06 Aug 2014

Anna

Facilities: Basic; Value: Moderate; Service: Friendly; Cleanliness: Tidy;
this hostel is a lot quieter than Magnums up the road.Perfect for location and not rowdy!

4/10

Poor

04 Aug 2014

ShelleyWelly

Great Location

It was a bunk room converted to a king-bed bedroom. It was a really basic tired room with tired linen and worn-out noisy air conditioner, so noisy you couldn't have it going while trying to listen to TV. Nomads is in a great location though right in the middle of the shops and food places.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2014

James

Facilities: Above average; Value: Bargain; Service: Professional, Friendly; Cleanliness: Spotless;

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Jun 2014

Amanda

Facilities: Basic; Value: Acceptable price; Service: Friendly; Cleanliness: Beautiful;
Great, friendly place to stay!

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jun 2014

Tathi

Nice hotel

The room was really big, we had our own toilet and television. Just the toilet was a little bit dirty.
The location was perfect and the tour agency has very good deals.
I recommend ;)

6/10

Pleasant

29 May 2014

Sils

There are better places

This place is good and I wouldn't rule it out as a place to stay. At the same time, there are much better places for the same price or lower as well. The inside of the rooms was not that well kept.

Partner

2/10

Poor

02 May 2014

Retiredat51

4 start only if you are a backpacker! BASIC BASIC

This hotel is meant for backpackers, but that was not advertised in the description. So much to our surprise, this \"4 star\" room had a tile floor, concrete wall and 2 twin beds (think college dorms) pushed together to make a king. NOTHING else. No beside night stands, no rugs, VERY flat pillow and one very light worn blanket. There was a TV, but we never use those on vacation. The air conditioner was SO LOUD, we had to turn it off to sleep. In the bathroom, there was tile and metal and 2 bath towels. Not even a small bar of soap to wash your hands. Oh, and then there was the cockroach my husband killed (thank goodness he didn't tell me about it until after we left). We stayed the one night and quickly found a much better hotel for the rest of our stay in town.

Partner