Your stay — Original Backpacker
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The Property — Original Backpacker
The Original Backpacker is a no-frills, social hostel in central Sydney, steps from Hyde Park and a 10-minute walk from Circular Quay. The lobby feels like a busy common room with tired sofas, a noticeboard of pub crawls, and a constant hum of travellers comparing notes. It suits budget-conscious solo or group travellers who prioritise location and meeting people over privacy or quiet.
Chronicles of Sydney
Sydney was founded in 1788 as a British penal colony, with the first settlement at Sydney Cove. The city grew rapidly after the gold rushes of the 1850s, leaving a legacy of Victorian terraces and sandstone buildings like the Queen Victoria Building. Its iconic harbour bridge opened in 1932, the Opera House in 1973. Today, Sydney is Australia’s most multicultural city, with a food and arts scene that reflects waves of migration from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sydney guide →Best months
March and April for warm autumn days, low humidity, and far smaller crowds than summer. October and November for spring blooms and comfortable temperatures before the Christmas rush.
Peak / festival surge
December to February is peak summer – hot, humid and packed, especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve when the harbour fireworks draw huge crowds. Hostel prices can double; book months ahead. The Sydney Festival in January also drives demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are quiet, cool and cheap – hostel rates drop 30-40% from January. Good for exploring the city without queues, though expect rain and 10-17°C temps.
Weather & packing
Sydney’s weather is famously changeable – a sunny 25°C morning can turn into a cool, rainy afternoon. Pack a light waterproof jacket and layers you can peel off or add quickly.
Live City Briefing — Sydney
- Sydney's light rail network has expanded; the L2/L3 Randwick and Kingsford lines now connect Central Station to the eastern suburbs, useful for getting to Coogee or Bondi without buses.
- The new International Convention Centre (ICC) precinct at Darling Harbour is fully open, with bars, restaurants and a public promenade replacing the old exhibition centre.
- Construction on the Sydney Metro City & Southwest line continues until late 2026; expect occasional station closures at Central and Martin Place, with replacement bus services.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Original Backpacker, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 6 facing the rear courtyard. These are above the bar buzz but still accessible by stairs (lift may be slow). Rear rooms dodge street noise from Pitt Street and the backpacker crowd in the lobby.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor – these sit right above the bar/lounge area and get noise until late. Also skip rooms at the front of the hotel on lower floors (2–3) facing Pitt Street: traffic and late-night foot traffic are loud.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on floors 5–6 overlook the courtyard and neighbouring rooftops – not scenic but quiet. Front rooms on higher floors (5+) get a slice of city skyline and harbour glimpses, but trade off noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 are quietest: high enough to avoid street-level noise and the bar, but low enough that stair access is practical if the lift is busy.
🔊 Noise notes
Pitt Street is a main city artery with buses and taxis running 24/7. The hotel's ground-floor bar operates til late, especially Thursday–Saturday. The lift is older and has a clanking sound audible in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1) Check in after 3pm to snag a top-floor rear room – the desk often releases late cancellations. 2) Earplugs are essential even in 'quiet' rooms; ask the desk for a free pair on arrival.
- 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 — Original Backpacker
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for messaging and browsing, can be slow between 19:00 and 22:00. No login – just connect to the network.
No lift. All rooms on first and second floors reachable only by stairs.
Complimentary digital newsstand via a shared iPad in the common lounge; no newspapers. The building is a converted 1920s terrace house – stairs are original timber.
Check-in from 12:00; check-out by 10:00. Luggage can be dropped from 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs AUD 15 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage available in a locked room after check-out, with access until 22:00.
No step-free access. Main entrance has three steps. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Wilson Parking at 181 Oxford Street (400 m, AUD 25 overnight). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. A refundable AUD 20 cash key deposit required at check-in; incidental card hold of AUD 50 for credit cards.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Canice Parish (254 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Wayside Chapel (400 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. John (569 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St. Columbkille's Catholic Church (592 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Stockland Piccadilly — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Ronald Shores Park — 253 m · ~3 min walk
Elizabeth Bay House — 661 m · ~8 min walk
Stables Theatre — 410 m · ~5 min walk
Waratah Street Reserve Playground — 444 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 258 m · ~3 min walk
Potts Point Pharmacy — 187 m · ~2 min walk
KX Minimart & Tobacconist — 83 m · ~1 min walk
Kings Cross — 287 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport and tourist bureaux due to poor rates and high fees.
Cards, contactless and mobile pay accepted almost everywhere – many places don't take cash at all.
Tipping not expected; round up in taxis, leave 10% at nice restaurants if service is very good, nothing for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Flat white from any café – around AUD 4.50–5.00
Banh mi or takeaway sushi roll – around AUD 8–12
Pub meal or Thai curry at a local eatery – main around AUD 18–25
Chinatown and Haymarket area for cheap eats, or the Saturday markets around town
Woolworths and Coles are the main budget supermarket chains
Uniqlo, Kmart and Target on George Street for affordable high-street basics
Opal card tap-on/tap-off is cheapest; daily cap around AUD 16.80. From airport, take the train with an Opal card (expensive station access fee – cheaper to take the 420 bus to Mascot station)
Bring a reusable water bottle – tap water is excellent. Eat lunch specials rather than dinner for big savings. Walk or cycle as the city centre is compact.
Good to know — Sydney
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sydney, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Original Backpacker
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 258 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Potts Point Pharmacy — 187 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sydney Airport Station → Circular Quay / Glasgow Arms Hotel
💡 Most cost-effective; take Airport Line to Circular Quay (2 stops), then 5-min walk to The Rocks; Opal card recommended for local travel
Sydney Airport (Ground Level) → Sydney CBD / Central Station / The Rocks
💡 Affordable and direct; avoids peak train crowds; book online for discounts; includes drop-off near Circular Quay
Greater Sydney Transport Network → CBD / The Rocks / Circular Quay
💡 Get Opal card at airport for seamless travel; Metro covers CBD efficiently; unlimited weekend journeys on Opal Saturday-Sunday
Sydney Airport (SYD) → Glasgow Arms Hotel, The Rocks
💡 Airport taxis queue at Ground Level; Uber/Bolt cheaper but slower during peak hours; flagfall ~$3.50 plus $2.80/km for taxis
About Sydney
Wikipedia ↗
Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west, and about 80 k...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Original Backpacker?
Request a room on floors 3 to 6 facing the rear courtyard. These are above the bar buzz but still accessible by stairs (lift may be slow). Rear rooms dodge street noise from Pitt Street and the backpacker crowd in the lobby.
Which rooms should I avoid at Original Backpacker?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor – these sit right above the bar/lounge area and get noise until late. Also skip rooms at the front of the hotel on lower floors (2–3) facing Pitt Street: traffic and late-night foot traffic are loud.
Is Original Backpacker noisy?
Pitt Street is a main city artery with buses and taxis running 24/7. The hotel's ground-floor bar operates til late, especially Thursday–Saturday. The lift is older and has a clanking sound audible in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Original Backpacker?
Rear-facing rooms on floors 5–6 overlook the courtyard and neighbouring rooftops – not scenic but quiet. Front rooms on higher floors (5+) get a slice of city skyline and harbour glimpses, but trade off noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Original Backpacker?
1) Check in after 3pm to snag a top-floor rear room – the desk often releases late cancellations. 2) Earplugs are essential even in 'quiet' rooms; ask the desk for a free pair on arrival.
What time is check-in at Original Backpacker?
Check-in at Original Backpacker is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Original Backpacker have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for messaging and browsing, can be slow between 19:00 and 22:00. No login – just connect to the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Original Backpacker?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Original Backpacker?
Banh mi or takeaway sushi roll – around AUD 8–12
What is the cheapest way to get around from Original Backpacker?
Opal card tap-on/tap-off is cheapest; daily cap around AUD 16.80. From airport, take the train with an Opal card (expensive station access fee – cheaper to take the 420 bus to Mascot station)
When is the best time to visit Sydney?
March and April for warm autumn days, low humidity, and far smaller crowds than summer. October and November for spring blooms and comfortable temperatures before the Christmas rush.
Top Attractions in Sydney
💡 Enter from the Art Gallery Road gate for a quieter start. Free guided walks leave at 10:30am daily from the Visitor Centre.
💡 Download the free audio guide ahead of time. Head to the Yiribana Gallery on the ground floor for the best Aboriginal art. Free tours run at 11am and 2pm daily.
💡 Go early on weekdays to avoid the lunch rush. Check out the roof terrace for a quiet view of the harbour.
💡 Bookings essential—check the website at least a week ahead. Arrive early for a spot on the viewing platform. Bring a jacket; it gets windy up there.
💡 Start at Bondi at 7am to avoid heat and crowds. Take the bus from Central Station to Bondi Junction, then the 333 bus to the start. Wear proper shoes—parts are uneven.
💡 A backstage tour (90 minutes) gives access to the main concert hall, rehearsal spaces and the green room — more interesting than the standard front-of-house tour. Book evening performances for the best harbour view walking back along Circular Quay at night.