Ayr Backpackers - Ayr, Queensland

Orlagh L.

I stayed here last year and arrived in April. The work was slow to start with which was a struggle, but I thankfully got placed on a consistent farm and completed all my 88 days on the same farm. The hostel is basic, but it does the job once everyone cleans up after themselves! The office staff are very helpful, like anywhere once you give respect you get respect back.
We met so many amazing people and have memories to last us a lifetime. It was a once in a lifetime experience and we don't regret going to Ayr backpackers at all.

Gianna L.

Just keep in mind this is a working hostel, so work is available based on the needs of the local farmers. Detailed emails explaining the farm work process, hostel rules, and more are sent to you before you arrive. Make sure to give these a read before arrival so you know what to expect, as the hostel lays it out pretty clearly in those emails. Office staff works super hard to try to get people on a farm and meet their needs. Ayr itself is a lovely quaint town that has everything a backpacker could need. Grocery stores in walking distance, and a lovely local pub 🙂 made great friends and memories in this place!!

Gioacchino D. P.

Stay away from this place,
I stayed at this working hostel hoping to find a serious and organized environment. Unfortunately, my experience was anything but positive.

From day one, I was promised I would be given work the following week. This promise was repeated over and over, week after week, but it was never fulfilled. The owner clearly told me I would be placed with a group of Italian workers to make communication easier, as my English isn’t very strong. That never happened either.

I felt ignored, sidelined, and exploited. They kept charging me for accommodation without offering any real job opportunities. This is a place that gives you neither the opportunity nor the dignity to work and learn. I got the strong impression that their only interest was collecting rent week after week, without any concern for my situation.

What’s even more frustrating is that they constantly post on Facebook saying they need workers, when in reality the place is already full of people who are paying and leaving without ever getting the chance to work. It's a misleading system that takes advantage of backpackers who are just looking for an honest chance.

I do not recommend this place to anyone, especially if you don’t speak perfect English or are just starting your journey in Australia. There are definitely more honest and respectful alternatives out there.

Rebekah O. D.

I completed my 88 days here last year and I am back this year currently doing my 6 months.
This year I’m living in house 3, which has been newly renovated and it is much nicer than any hostel I’ve ever lived in! We have a brand new kitchen and new shower and toilet units. There’s a common area with couches and a tv in every unit which is nice as you’ll be spending lots of time here. You’ll be living with a group of great friends which makes everything about this experience a lot easier.
Everyone has to remember that this is a small regional town and you’re moving to a working hostel to do regional work. You get what you give in this place, and respect goes a long way. If you are respectful and patient, the hostel staff will do their best to look out for you. Definitely would recommend this place, I’ve made some of the best friends and memories here!

George S. F.

Arrived at Ayr BP without the need to do my 88days but for a change of environment from the big smoke of Sydney. Got sorted out with a great farm job straight away, worked my socks off and was kept by the farmer for the entire time I was in Ayr. I was respectful to the rules and staff and in return gain their respect which made the experience easy. Met friends for life and had the best of times and made it really hard to leave. Rooms are basic but the facilities are great for a working hostel. 2 Pools, TV area, basic gym, volley ball court and dart board makes the days off or cancelled due to bad weather really enjoyable. Shops and pubs in easy walking distance. Big thank you to Dom and the staff, will be sure to stop by to say hello if I am in the area.

Daniela R.

Definitely my worst experience in Australia. Whether you get a job or not it's a lottery. I spent 3 weeks there and worked only 2 days. Less than 50% of the people staying in the hostel were working on a farm. They hold you there saying there is gonna be work next week but it's a lie. But the worst part was the treatment we received from the owner who was very rude and disrespectful and even shouted at my friends for no reason. So please avoid this place if you can. It's a waste of time and money.

Luisa H.

WARNING – TOTAL SCAM!
If I didn’t have to give at least one star to write this review, I would give zero stars for my stay at this hostel.

Let’s start with the hygiene – or rather, the complete lack of it. The toilets, showers, and the kitchen (which was supposed to be for around 30 people) were in absolutely disgusting condition.
The toilets were barely cleaned, half the kitchen appliances didn’t work, and the showers were filthy.

The bedsheets you receive upon arrival – along with your cutlery – were already moldy on the inside. Absolutely disgusting!

All of that might still be somewhat tolerable for a backpacker – if you actually got a job while staying there. But nope. After waiting 9 days for a job, I finally left this terrible place.
And let me be clear – it’s not like I’m unwilling or unable to work!
I had already worked for several weeks on another farm in Australia, and I had a great experience there – early mornings, hard physical work, getting dirty – I genuinely enjoyed it. But here? Nothing at all.

Some of my roommates waited even longer – 2 to 3 weeks – and only ended up working 1 or 2 days in total. When you asked for more work or complained, you were just told: “You’re next on the list.”

And for all this, you’re expected to pay $230 per week, plus transport costs to the farms – what a joke!

Best of all: if you try to leave the hostel out of pure desperation on a public holiday, they charge you a $50 fee.

The owner should seriously consider investing all that money from backpackers into therapy.
He’s rude and completely arrogant – and that’s putting it nicely.

Do some volunteering, try WWOOFing, check Facebook groups, or find a job somewhere else – but avoid this hostel at all costs!

And I’m not the only one who left because of this. When I was at the bus stop leaving town, I met several others who had left the same hostel for exactly the same reasons.

Kieran

DONT BELIEVE THE POSITIVE REVIEWS ON HERE - THE OWNERS ASK AND PAY PEOPLE to leave good reviews I have screenshots!

Firstly it was Absolutely vile accomodation like a homeless shelter or crack den everything is broken like the cooker,fridge,aircon and bed bugs everywhere in most units
There’s 10 people cramped into a unit for 3 people max and you pay 230 a week for this lol
Funny how they take everything in cash to avoid tax
They Make you pay before seeing the rooms so they keep your 2 weeks bond when you want to leave asap
The work is very grim you get treated like dirt on minimum wages
They fine everyone for 1 persons actions
You can’t contact the office out of hours or they fine you 25$
They try to find you and rinse you for all of your money in any possible way
Make you pay transport 12$ a day which is a joke
My farmer was a prick, treated us like slaves and didn’t pay us for 3 weeks Untill we got dom involved
Ayr itself was a nice little town I enjoyed got a few pubs,football pitch swimming pool and what not
AVOID AVOID AVOID THIS PLACE THOUGH