Nomads Magnetic Island

This place has a great potential but it’s terribly kept. Loud music all of the time in the common area (REALLY LOUD). I had to work and I couldn’t find a quiet spot in the whole hostel where I could work from. The Wi-Fi is terrible and in the room it’s even worse (and there’s no signal so I couldn’t even use data). The place is dirty. Staff at the reception is sweet and nice but you can really tell that there is no one who is really taking care of the business with care. The main purpose is to sell alcohol at nights to young backpackers to make profit and they don’t really care about other types of travellers. In the dorm it was freezing and I had no blanket, just a sheet. In addition two guys started fighting because they were probably drunk. The hostel is far away from literally everything. There’s no supermarket nearby (you have to walk 40mins) and the bus runs just a few times a day. Perks: it’s on a very nice beach, the huts are literally by the sea and the swimming pool is very nice too. Laundry service is easy to use (with card) and soap is included. Overall I didn’t like it and would never recommend it to a friend. Maybe I’m not their target.

Rooms are small with no bathrooms. The bathrooms themselves are far away from certain rooms and are disgusting with a lack of toilet paper and soap. The kitchen is small for such a big place and is dark and dingy. The tap water also tastes horrendous! Would not be back.

My partner and I came to Nomad’s to stay for 2 nights in a private room with shared facilities/bathroom. We were told to check in at 3pm after arriving at 12pm. After waiting for almost 3 hours at 2:50pm, we asked if we could check-in to which we were told it would be no more than 5 to 10 minutes as we’d receive an email/text to say the room was ready. After going back to reception at 3:25, the woman at reception told us that she had check us in despite having received no email or text message, or even approached us to notify us of the room being ready. After going to our room finally, we discovered that the sheets on the bed - which had no duvet cover or protection - were stained with a red liquid which could be anything and is completely unhygienic and not safe at all (see pictures). Furthermore, the menu in the evening was pretty poor which only offered burgers until 8pm with live music starting at 4pm and finishing at 7pm weirdly on a Friday night. Overall, the cleanliness and health standards - yes it’s a hostel but the stained sheets aren’t anywhere near close to being acceptable - are very low and need to be attended. Positives included the view from the room balcony and social aspect.

Lively hostel located opposite a bus stop. Within the reception area you have a bar and restaurant (the best bit about the hostel) which serves burgers in the afternoon and evening and a fantastic breakfast menu consisting of banana bread, smashed avocado on sourdough etc. The kitchen is tiny and I’m talking barely any room for more than three people cooking at one time. Whilst I was staying there, one of the fridges broke and a handful of people from my tour group had to throw out their food. The hostel has laundry services but I didn’t use them so can’t comment. The bathroom has more than enough showers with plenty of space in each cubicle. However, the bathroom was constantly dirty! The rooms were kind of like huts which thankfully had air conditioning. The bed frames were falling apart and rusty and the mattress protectors were filthy. No lockers and windows all around so you can’t escape the light. Fine with me as I had an eye mask (recommend that and ear plugs). The WiFi however didn’t reach the hut and you were lucky if you got service anywhere past the pool area. Great hostel, just not amazing!

Terrible, curtains had mould on them as did the air con unit so goodness only knows what inside the air con system was like.. Very dusty . Not a pleasant place to stay at all. I think travellers are very much taken advantage of in Australia, especially by Nomads group. The one in Sydney was beyond disgusting. If your budget allows definitely book an upgrade in advance. We were with Intro Travel through Gap 360 UK. We were told small dorms for no more than 6 but sometimes 10 and 16 which was impossible to get any sleep. Also mixed males and females which isn't always appropriate especially if previously advised would be one or the other . Can be extremely un nerving for young solo travellers. Bathroom not pleasant, grotty. You expect basic of course but not mould and dirt.........

Worst hostel by far we have stayed in we were put in a room beside the staff so it was pretty loud even after the music stopped. At half 12 two men came in that weren’t supposed to be even in our room we found out the next morning. One of the men pissed all over the floor. so I asked the next morning for it to be cleaned and they said it would be we came back at half 5 that evening to see the floor had only been cleaned! Then I found out our other room mate had to ask again as it hadn’t been cleaned by 5 o clock! Also we have no idea how the men got in but we heard the unlock sound so can only presume one of the staff entered the code for them! Also there was supposed to be one meal one breakfast included in our stay but we got a ‘voucher’ for some money off!

My first time visiting nomads magnetic island and definitely will not be the last. The staff are very polite and make you feel welcome on arrival and throughout your stay. Located in Nelly bay right on the sea front there is no better location on the island. The night events through the week in the bar are so much fun. Amazing food served throughout the day with the best burgers iv tried in Australia. All in all a very pleasant experience surrounded by friendly people and good vibes.

Not the first time i've visited Nomads, and will not be the last, gets better every time! Probably the best location for a hostel in Australia. The nightly events in the bar are so much fun and the Island Burger food is elite! best value for money food on the island. Staff were great and accommodating from check in, told us exactly where to go to see local wildlife and other must do activities on the island. Definitely one of the must visit places for any backpacker travelling the east coast of Australia.

I enjoyed my stay, staff were super helpful with all the information. Breakfast was amazing.