Hostel Review: Party in Paradise at Base Magnetic Island

By Bobbi-Jo // 4 June 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories:

So there’s paradise.

The rolling hills of Australia. The beautiful beaches and even more beautiful people.

Then there’s paradise.

That little-talked about, hidden enclave of peaceful scenery, with the occasional Full Moon Party, but mostly the kind of place that allows you to walk out of your bungalow in the morning to stretch your arms while you’re taking in the sunrise and breathe in a big gulp of life.

It almost feels as if a youth hostel doesn’t have any business existing in this environment. Complete with its own beach, dive center, bar and kitchen, Base Magnetic Island feels as though it should be a full on resort, not budget accommodation.

And honestly, other than the bunk beds and traffic jam of girls doing their hair and make-up as happy hour creeps nearer, Base doesn’t really feel like a hostel.

One ferry ride from Townsville and a short bus ride to Nelly Bay bring you to a hostel that literally rises out from the rocks with beachside bungalows and campsites. A full kitchen, laundry facility and Internet room betray that Base has all of the usual trappings of a hostel, just with a little more flair for scenery than you’d usually expect. Walking around the compound, you almost expect to be approached by a cabana boy offering you a sip of a cold adult beverage straight out of a coconut.

The kitchen is only open for lunch on the weekends, but breakfast and dinner are available throughout the week. For both breakfast and dinner, there are budget meals available for the backpackers on the strictest of budgets, but nothing on the menu is priced excessively. This is good, because it would be a bit of a walk or bus ride to reach a supermarket, and even then doing your own grocery shopping might not be the cheapest option on account of the fact that you’re on an island. Priced appropriately and tasting even better, the kitchen is a good bet for solid meals and snacks for the duration of your stay.

Of the many things that Base does extremely well, putting on one hell of a Full Moon Party is definitely at the top of the list. Buckets, literally buckets, of spirits are plentiful, as is glitter, face paint, fire twirlers and hundreds of people having a crazy good time. It’s not uncommon to party straight into the next morning, with many staying up to watch the sunrise. It can’t rival the fabled Full Moon Parties of Southeast Asia, but for a tiny island off a town predominantly known for its military bases and universities, it puts on a pretty good showing. If you can, plan your stay around one of these parties, you won’t regret it.

You might not remember it, but you won’t regret it.

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Many special thanks to VIP Backpackers for being our gracious hosts throughout this trip! You can also receive amazing discounts the activities mentioned in this post with VIP Membership!