Blue Mountains YHA, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Jun 6th, 2005
YHA is part of the world's largest backpacker accommodation network, Hostelling International, with 4,000 properties in 60 countries. An YHA membership entitles you to 2,500 discounts both in Australia and overseas on everything from car hire to museum entrance to tours and activities.
Blue Mountains YHA was awarded Best Backpacker Accommodation at the 2004 Australian Tourism Industry Awards. The YHA took out the national award, after also winning the 2004 NSW Tourism Awards. The 200 bed YHA is the sixth largest YHA in Australia and offers an impressive list of facilities. It now attracts 30,000 visitors from all over the world each year and is a grade 4 hostel.
The building was originally The Wentworth Cabaret Club and was extremely popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The sprung dancefloor was the first of it's kind in Australia. The art deco building, located close to the centre of Katoomba, was fully refurbished in 2001 at a cost of $7 million. Keeping its original heritage features, such as the sprung dance floor in the former ballroom, the building has now been classified by the National Trust of Australia.
It also carries a AAA Tourism 4 star rating, meaning it is a property with exceptionally well appointed accommodation and a diverse range of facilities. Four star backpacker/hostels will either provide or hire linen, twin or double rooms will be available, reception will be open a minimum of 12 hours and a convenience store will be located within 200 metres.
The Blue Mountains YHA has facilities such as bunk beds (fun for kids) in family rooms, kid's play area, log fires, large self-catering kitchen to cook your own food (ingredients for hot cooked breakfast available for sale at reception) and lots of communal space.
Further Information:
YHA member prices for dorm beds start from $22 for adults and $18 for under 18s.
Doubles start from $68. Family of 4 stars from $112.
Non-members pay an additional $3.50
Blue Mountains YHA: Ph. (02) 4782 1416.
www.yha.com.au.
Prices correct at 06/06/05.
