yeah i make you right it would be hard work but think of all the interesting stories you would hear and the characters you would meet and hopefully that would rub off on my kids encouraging them to go out and see the world

I think there is a huge market for decent hostels in Aussie because the standard at the moment is dreadful! I would say Aussie hostel owners should look at their Kiwi cousins to see how its done properly.

Hello - I have stayed in heaps over the years and generally I have preferred the YHA's in that they are more predictable - clean, good facilities and located centrally. But it depends on your target market. The "oldies" like me prefer somewhere clean and preferable where there is a chance of getting some sleep but some of the "younger kids" (God don't I sound ancient) want to party all night. The K Club/YHA in Broome strikes a very good balance for all age groups. I have also stayed at Glebe Point YHA in Sydney several times and that is an example of a well run ship - great hostel, well run, fantastic location etc. I have also stayed in some shocking places as a younger backpacker but now I think I would take one look and zip off with my pack! Decide on your target market and take it from there and best of luck!

If I ran a hostel I would insist on maximum stays of a week or something because I find hostels where people live because they are on WHV very off putting for backpackers who are actually travelling around.

Australia has lots of these hostels which are little more than cheap accommodation for workers and can be very unfriendly.

what is whv?

Very true , Australia has a huge transient population, these people tend to use back packers hostels , due to the fact that cheap Boarding houses have been put out of business, as Insurance fees for these premises are exorbident.
So they tend to become very sleazy , and unfriendly to non Australians.
The ymca still maintain a good standard here in Adelaide, pretty much else is take it as you like it.............mm

Lots of places have bed bugs too.

Never stayed in a YHA that did.... Have stayed in others that have though, very itchy!