This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
Cosy fires, veggie gardens, chooks to collect eggs from, and wallabies jumping around outside – the Grampians YHA Eco hostel is definitely a place you could linger a while.
We loved it so much we extended our stay an extra night.
When it comes to choosing accommodations options in the Grampians, there’s quite a lot to choose from, especially in the budget accommodation category.
However, there is only one hostel, and this is it!
For budget backpackers or families trying to keep costs down, if you’re wondering what it’s like to stay at the Grampians YHA Eco hostel, here’s our honest review of our stay…
About YHA Grampians Eco Hostel
The Grampians YHA is located in Halls Gap Town Center, approximately a 3-hour drive from Melbourne.
YHA Grampians Eco Hostel is an ideal base for those looking to explore the stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Grampians region.
Located just 5 minutes’ drive from Brambuk the National Park & Cultural Centre, the gateway to the Grampians National Park, you are within a stone’s throw of the famous hiking trails, scenic lookouts, cascading waterfalls, and spectacular ancient Aboriginal rock art sites that this mountain region is known for.
You can also take advantage of a variety of activities such as abseiling, rock-climbing, and canoeing, which can be booked at the onsite tour desk.
YHA Grampians Eco Halls Gap is eco-certified and utilises green initiatives to conserve the environment.
Some of the initiatives they have adopted include solar electricity, including solar hot water, as well as using rainwater collection, recycled greywater, and waste recycling.
The hostel offers both comfortable dormitory rooms equipped with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, a ceiling fan, and security lockers for your bags.
There are also family rooms and private rooms, with either a double bed, single beds or bunk beds to choose from.
What really make the Grampians Eco YHA unique is its proximity to nature – it literally surrounds it. Nature lovers will appreciate the various wildlife that visit the grounds, including kangaroos, deer, and native birds, as well as the opportunity to enjoy fresh free-range chicken eggs from the hostel’s own farm.
For those on a road trip, there is free on-site car parking and coach parking.
Onsite Facilities
There is a range of excellent facilities that offer comfort. The welcoming reception and front desk instantly greet you with a smile, and there are clean and well stocked communal kitchens which are fully equipped for those who enjoy cooking their own meals.
If you do like to cook, take advantage of the complimentary herb garden, perfect for adding fresh flavors to their dishes.
After a day of hiking, laze in the cozy guest lounges, complete with wood fire heaters and wood-burning fires, creating a warm atmosphere for socializing.
The hostel features a billiards table, where you can challenge your new travel mates to a game or two over some story sharing.
Additional amenities include guest laundry, luggage storage, and alarm clocks in the rooms to help guests wake up in time for their adventures in the beautiful Grampians!
Accommodation Options
Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options to suit their needs.
The hostel offers private rooms featuring a comfortable double bed, ideal for couples seeking a more intimate setting, as well as options with extra beds for families or groups.
For those on a budget, shared dormitory rooms with bunk beds and single beds provide a friendly and social atmosphere.
All accommodations come with linen and towels provided.
Guests will have access to shared bathroom facilities, which include clean toilets and showers.
Additionally, cribs are available for families traveling with infants, making the hostel a versatile choice for all types of travelers.
Our Experience Staying at Grampians YHA
The Grampians YHA has a communal feel to it – the kitchen and dining room is open with natural light and buzzes with strangers swapping their stories of the day’s hiking adventures.
A group of about 30 elderly walkers were in town for the weekend on one of their regular hiking getaways.
I kind of dropped the elderly description after one regaled me of their adventures hiking 14 kilometres that day up and down a few peaks.
“It was probably the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done,” she said.
We, on the other hand, had conquered the summit of the 4km Pinnacle’s Walk with our two young kiddies.
Hiking the Pinnacles was one of my most favourite days of our trip to the Grampians. Watching the girls walk up a mountain on a trail labelled moderate was pretty damn impressive.
Needless to say, we all collapsed on the couch by the fire after it.
The first I heard of the Grampians was from a Swedish backpacker in Thailand who said it was his favourite place in the world to rock climb.
It’s just another beautiful place in Victoria that rarely gets talked about.
It’s an outdoor lovers paradise and we think the YHA is the perfect base to explore it. The YHA is situated in Halls Gap, the main town of the Grampians.
The lovely hosts of the Grampians YHA, Stuart and his wife Rebecca, have had a lot of experience travelling around Australia and they’ve chosen to stop for awhile here and raise their newborn son.
We enjoyed listening to their stories and getting lots of great tips from them about traveling around Australia. They’re passionate about travel, the Grampians area, and helping their guests have a great time.
On our last night they had a BBQ for a guest who was finally leaving after extending their stay in the Grampians by a month or so – it kinda has that pull.
It was lovely to see how they welcomed us and other guests to the barbie. I know a young backpacker who was struggling with the cost of life in Australia sure appreciated it!
Savannah and Kalyra loved staying here. There were DVDs to watch in the common room, animals roaming freely, and chooks to collect eggs from in the morning.
We loved cooking them up straight away for brekkie and the girls were able to see (and taste) first hand the difference between a fresh, organic egg and one you get from the supermarket.
Like the Apollo Bay YHA, The Grampians also had a herb and veggie garden you could pick from.
We were impressed by the cleanliness and how tidy it was, and although the family style rooms are a little small, they’re hostel size so what you expect and nothing to complain about.
