🇦🇺 Melbourne, Australia
Hostel Plus Collingwood
📍 177-181, Johnston Street, Melbourne
Your stay — Hostel Plus Collingwood
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Melbourne.
The Property — Hostel Plus Collingwood
A functional budget base in Collingwood, a mile north-east of the CBD, with a social hostel vibe and a handful of private rooms for those who want a bed without the dorm. The lobby feels like a backpacker hub: mismatched sofas, a noticeboard of gig flyers, and the faint smell of instant coffee. It works best for solo travellers, young couples, or anyone prioritising location and price over quiet luxury.
Chronicles of Melbourne
Melbourne was founded in 1835 by settlers from Van Diemen's Land, who claimed the Port Phillip District as a new pastoral outpost. The 1850s gold rush swelled its population and funded grand boulevards, arcades, and the iconic Flinders Street Station (1910). Aboriginal peoples—the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung nations—had occupied the area for tens of thousands of years before. Today the city is known for its laneway culture, coffee obsession, and a layered identity that balances Victorian-era architecture with street art and modernism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Melbourne guide →Best months
March and April (autumn) bring mild 20°C days, clear skies, and fewer tourists than summer; November (late spring) offers warming weather and jacaranda blooms before the Christmas rush.
Peak / festival surge
December and January peak with summer heat (30-40°C), school holidays, and major events like the Australian Open (January). Hotel prices jump 30-50%; book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are the quietest months: cool (10-16°C), often overcast but dry, with room rates 20-30% lower than peak season.
Weather & packing
Melbourne is notorious for four seasons in one day—sunny morning, windy afternoon, cold evening. Pack a waterproof jacket and layers: a T-shirt, a mid-layer, and a windproof shell that you can strip as the temperature swings.
Live City Briefing — Melbourne
- The Metro Tunnel project is nearing completion; expect minor tram and bus changes on Swanston Street through mid-2026.
- Flinders Street Station's 125th anniversary celebrations include free walking tours and exhibitions this July.
- The Winter Night Market at Queen Victoria Market runs Wednesdays until 26 August 2026; bring your own bowl for the $18 goulash.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel Plus Collingwood, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2-4 facing the rear (away from Johnston Street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those facing Johnston Street, due to direct street noise, foot traffic, and potential odours from the street. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift shaft on any floor — lift machinery hum can be audible at night.
Best views
Rooms with a north-facing orientation (rear side) overlook the quieter residential streets of Collingwood, with glimpses of back gardens and rooftops, rather than the busy Johnston Street facade.
Quietest floors
Floors 2-4 are generally quietest — far enough from the street and ground-floor common areas, but without the roof-level noise from any terrace or mechanical plant that may exist on the top floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Johnston Street is a main arterial road with trams, trucks, and late-night bar traffic, especially on weekends. The hostel's entrance is on a busy strip near Victoria Parade junctions, so street-facing rooms can hear traffic from 6am until late. Trams run until 1am.
Insider tips
1. Check in before 6pm to secure a rear-facing room — the front desk upgrades quiet rooms to early arrivals. 2. If you drive, park in the rear lot (if available) rather than on Johnston Street — it's safer and quieter for loading luggage, and avoids tram lane fines.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostel Plus Collingwood
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; speed approx 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No login required.
No lift – stairs only to all floors (ground floor accessible; upper floors via stairwell).
No physical or digital newspapers provided.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out fee: AUD 10 per hour until 13:00 (subject to availability); after 13:00 full night charged.
Free storage in locked room at reception; collect before 21:00 on day of departure.
No step-free entry – one small step at main door. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Secure Parking at 20-24 Johnston Street (2 min walk) – AUD 25 per night (weekday), AUD 15 per night (weekend). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require a credit card hold of AUD 50 for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Joseph's Church (378 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St Martin's Community Church (387 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St Philip's Anglican Church (653 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Mark's Anglican Church (907 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Hive — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Unity Park — 266 m · ~3 min walk
Collingwood Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall — 611 m · ~8 min walk
The Motley Celar — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Fitzroy Adventure Playground — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 531 m · ~7 min walk
Newton & Leung Pharmacy — 659 m · ~8 min walk
Metro Zone — 353 m · ~4 min walk
Victoria Park — 572 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs (common at banks and 7-Elevens) for the best rates; avoid airport or hotel exchange desks which charge 5–10% commission.
Contactless payments (Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and markets; carry $50–100 cash for small vendors.
Not expected. Round up taxi fare to nearest dollar; leave 10% at upscale restaurants only for exceptional service; hotel porters $2–5.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter or long black from a bakery or takeaway joint – $4–5.
Banh mi or sushi roll from a deli – $10–12.
Pasta or roti main at a casual eatery – $18–22.
Victoria Street, Richmond (10-min tram) has Vietnamese bakeries and pho stalls; Queen Victoria Market (20-min walk) has cheap lunch bowls.
Aldi and Coles (both on Smith St, 5-min walk) for basics; Woolworths on Bourke St for wider selection.
H&M and Cotton On at Melbourne Central (15-min tram); Smith St has vintage and budget boutiques.
Myki card for trams/buses/trains: daily cap $10.60; from airport, take the 901 bus to Broadmeadows station then a train ($5 total) – SkyBus costs $22.
Buy lunch from supermarket salad bar ($6–8); walk everywhere central (area is very walkable); use free tram zone (city centre, 10-min walk).
Good to know — Melbourne
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
MelbourneTriple zero (000) is the main number for police, fire or ambulance in life-threatening situations. For non-urgent police matters call 131 444. For health advice, call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Melbourne, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel Plus Collingwood
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 531 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Newton & Leung Pharmacy — 659 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Melbourne/Carlton area → Oxford Scholar Hotel (Lygon Street precinct)
💡 Hotel is in free tram zone. Use trams 1, 3, or 8 for exploring Lygon Street restaurants and city center. Routes 1 and 3 go to Parliament House.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Most economical option. Skybus to Southern Cross Station, then tram 1 or 3 north to Grattan Street (Carlton). Buy myki card for unlimited local tram travel.
Melbourne CBD → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Routes 200-204 connect Carlton to CBD. Less frequent than trams but good for avoiding hill climbs. Night Network available after midnight on selected routes.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Pre-book through your hotel to lock in rates. Uber typically cheaper than traditional taxis during peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Request a room on floors 2-4 facing the rear (away from Johnston Street). These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those facing Johnston Street, due to direct street noise, foot traffic, and potential odours from the street. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift shaft on any floor — lift machinery hum can be audible at night.
Is Hostel Plus Collingwood noisy?
Johnston Street is a main arterial road with trams, trucks, and late-night bar traffic, especially on weekends. The hostel's entrance is on a busy strip near Victoria Parade junctions, so street-facing rooms can hear traffic from 6am until late. Trams run until 1am.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Rooms with a north-facing orientation (rear side) overlook the quieter residential streets of Collingwood, with glimpses of back gardens and rooftops, rather than the busy Johnston Street facade.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
1. Check in before 6pm to secure a rear-facing room — the front desk upgrades quiet rooms to early arrivals. 2. If you drive, park in the rear lot (if available) rather than on Johnston Street — it's safer and quieter for loading luggage, and avoids tram lane fines.
What time is check-in at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Check-in at Hostel Plus Collingwood is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel Plus Collingwood have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; speed approx 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel Plus Collingwood?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Banh mi or sushi roll from a deli – $10–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel Plus Collingwood?
Myki card for trams/buses/trains: daily cap $10.60; from airport, take the 901 bus to Broadmeadows station then a train ($5 total) – SkyBus costs $22.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
March and April (autumn) bring mild 20°C days, clear skies, and fewer tourists than summer; November (late spring) offers warming weather and jacaranda blooms before the Christmas rush.
Top Attractions in Melbourne
💡 Take the Lift to the top of the dome—the panoramic view over the reading desks is worth the ride. Just off the main entrance there's a free cloak room. Bring a notebook and read at one of the original long tables.
💡 Go Wednesday night for the summer Night Market (free entry, but extra stalls and music). The deli hall has excellent boreks from the Turkish stall. Bring cash—some produce stalls are cheaper than card-friendly ones.
💡 The NGV Triennial (summer) and major ticketed exhibitions cost, but the entire permanent collection is free. Go on Friday evenings when it stays open late and there's often live music. Queue for the water-wall out front.
💡 The fairies at the Fairy Tree (a stump carved with tiny doors) are a favourite for kids—look near the pond. Walk the 'Model Tudor Village' (a bit kitsch but fun). Pack a picnic: the lawns are quiet on weekdays.
💡 Arrive before 9am to spot wild rosellas and ibises. The Guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk runs at 11am most days — sign up online, it's free but fills quickly.