Very good

Liked: Location: You can’t beat the spot—just a 2-minute walk to Newcastle Beach. You won’t find a better location in Newcastle.Internet & Work Spaces: If you use the YHA app, you can upgrade to premium internet, which is truly fast. This is great for digital nomads, as there are dedicated work areas as well.Communal Areas: There’s a spacious common area on the ground floor with table tennis, a pool table, a TV corner, plenty of comfortable seating, and a garden. In addition, weekly BBQ and wine & cheese events make it easy to meet and socialize with other travelers.
Disliked: Cleanliness: While it’s a large hostel with volunteer staff taking care of the cleaning, the high volume of guests who don’t always respect the space makes it less clean than it could be. Unfortunately, I also encountered a cockroach problem during my stay, though they did organize pest control. You won’t find a better-located hostel in Newcastle, and the internet speed plus the work areas are fantastic for anyone working remotely. However, keep in mind it’s not the most hygienic place. Still, if you’re staying in any hostel, remember this motto: “Clean up after yourself and leave it better than how you found it.”