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The Old Swan Barracks

6 Francis St Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia 6000 Australia
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Traveller (36)
Room & Suite (8)
Dining (4)

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About

#27 of 33 hostels in Perth
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Experience Perth's most unique Backpacker Hostel. Situated in the heart of Perth in the Northbridge entertainment area and only several minutes away from the rail and bus terminals. Built in 1896 and a State Listed Heritage Building, The Old Swan Barracks offers quality accommodation and fantastic facilities at very affordable prices. Completely renovated in 2008, a stay at the Barracks provides the budget backpacker with the best that Perth has to offer, with a wide variety of accommodation from twelve bed dorms to private rooms. Rates from $25 per night include a free breakfast. The Barracks Bar, located in our Great Hall has nightly entertainment and offers a wide variety of Australian beers, wines, and beverages. Various activities each night include Wed. Pizza night, Thurs BBQ night, pool competitions and DJs. Book early to avoid disappointment. WINNER Best Hostel 2012 in Western Australia WINNER Best Backpacker Night in WA 2011 FINALIST Best Hostel in WA 2008, 09, 10 & 11
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Property amenities
Paid private parking on-site
Free breakfast
Billiards
Table tennis
Books, DVDs, music for children
Adults only
Baggage storage
24-hour front desk
Car park
Bar / lounge
Snack bar
Vending machine
Board games / puzzles
Outdoor furniture
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
ATM on site
Self-serve laundry
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Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
2.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, French, German
167Reviews2Q+A28Room tips
Traveller rating
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Ben C wrote a review Jun 2021
1 contribution
The place looks brilliant in the pictures. Unfortunately it's nothing like that. The reception was strange, took us about 30 minutes to check in. The hotel or "hostel" as its described (which definitely isn't) is like something out of an old horror movie, it's like an old school and definitely needs renovation. No atmosphere at all and it's cold. The room was big and huge windows with just a small radiator. The bed had lots of hairs in the sheets and frankly disgusting. Outside our room we had tons of old school lockers just standing outside our door. It seemed to be more of a long term accommodation for tradies and maybe jobseekers as there were lots of tradie uniforms in the hallways and Drug tests in the toilet bins. I fully support giving the homeless and job seekers a place to live but this place shouldn't be advertised as a hostel at all, because that's what it felt like. No alcohol permitted at all, maybe because everyone in there is in recovery? Thought there was a pub there but must have exploded in world war 2. The men's toilets were disgusting, similar to a trainstation public toilet which never get cleaned. 2 of the toilets were blocked with poo and the next day still there. My girlfriend was scared to walk down the hallway on her own. Booked 2 nights and stayed 1. Paid about 130 dollars and as soon as we turned up I wished I never booked it. I never asked for the 1 nights money back that we didn't stay because they need the money to renovate. Should have stayed in the britannia longer or any other place than here. Extremely expensive for what seems to be a free place for rough sleepers. No disrespect to the staff they seemed nice.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Steph W wrote a review Mar 2020
New York City, New York76 contributions53 helpful votes
The check in was easy and doesn't open until 1pm but I was allowed to store my bag in their locked luggage room. I stayed on the first floor 8-person room where you could hear the street noise but not anything bad. The beds were not premade but included sheets and a pillow case, no towel. The pillows are bunched up cotton balls so don't expect any neck support. The bed also squeaks like crazy. The rooms were spacious enough and had large lockers to put your things. No smell within the room and also comfortable aircon that is controllable by room. The establishment had a computer area but only one of the computers worked. Other reviews noted spotty WiFi but I had a strong and fast connection during my stay. The bathrooms are separated by gender or unisex. The water pressure for the showers were good and I never ran out of hot water. Overall, the building and faculties do appear old. Kitchen upstairs is moderately sized but the nastiest kitchen I've ever seen at a hostel during dinner hours. The storage cupboards and fridges are jammed packed; the dining area tables are filthy with leftover food all over. Free breakfast only includes toast, corn flakes and oat bars. Downstairs there are several lounge rooms with several comfy couches and spaces for you to work. There's also a laundry room in the back with large sinks for hand washing and a clothing line behind the laundry room building. I noticed that the machines are used by the staff to clean sheets and blankets so machine availability might be impacted but I'm not sure. The location is centrally located and only 6 min from the train station. My stay was alright for the 2 nights but say it would not be somewhere I'd stay for an extended period of time.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
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Martin M wrote a review Mar 2020
1 contribution
The hostel is well placed, nice to be outside in the evening with the other people, nice to have a TV room and billiards and table tennis table. However the hostel is not clean, the bathrooms are not clean, the toilets also. I find myself having a lot of pimples on my body
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
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Elise R wrote a review Feb 2020
1 contribution
Cheap hostel. Friendly staff. The room is spacious. Room for 2 persons with double bed, small table with 2 chairs, fridge, mirror, clothes rail with small fabric drawers. However, there are no hangers so nothing could be hung... No coat rack. Air conditioning present. Tennis table, games, tv room, bar on site. Alcohol prohibited. Laundry available. Otherwise, disgusting kitchen, nothing to wipe the dishes when wet. I saw two cockroaches one night in the kitchen. Showers and toilets more or less clean.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Ruth W wrote a review Jan 2020
Yeppoon, Australia5 contributions2 helpful votes
Very handy location but I would give it one star for general standard of accommodation although I liked the restored opening windows. 24-hour reception is handy, but two staff members were talking and emptying bins at 3:00am outside our window one night which woke me up. Also every lock on the female showers on my floor was broken. I am in my fifties and stayed with my 22-year old daughter there in Dec 2019. We have stayed at a lot of backpackers but I would not stay in this one again.
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Date of stay: December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claire W wrote a review Nov 2019
Cambridge, United Kingdom159 contributions58 helpful votes
The hostel is cheap and fairly central to most things in town, particularly good location for catching the train. I stayed in a double room which was clean enough with a fridge and table inside. Bathrooms always clean. Free breakfast consisting of cereal and toast - wake up early if you actually wanna get any though! There is a big kitchen but no equipment to cook with , can be rented from reception in exchange for either a room key (pots and pans) or cup/bowl/cutlery set. Found the vibe a bit off here and not particularly friendly which makes sense since the place is so huge. The furniture is tatty and old but there’s loads of it. Overall for the price I paid I though it was ol. The staff were friendly and helpful and got us a good discount for Rotnes island
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
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David M wrote a review Oct 2019
Brisbane, Australia30 contributions2 helpful votes
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Was in Perth for a short stay following a conference so chose a single room in this hostel. Is the place perfect? Well, no. But for the price and location it is close to being perfect. Sure, the museum construction across the road was noisy on Saturday morning but we can’t blame the hostel for that. My room was clean. Bed comfort was a solid 7 out of 10, bathroom was always clean and the staff were always helpful and friendly. And the fellow guests weren’t noisy at night time. Oh, and having the meds hall and the food trucks is definitely an added bonus!
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
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The Adventures of MiSa wrote a review Sept 2019
Butgenbach, Belgium81 contributions275 helpful votes
We booked the hostel a few weeks back before actually heading to Perth. They have some strict rules about smoking and alcohol, but we don't mind that. We booked an 6 bunk all female dorm and have a nice roommate. The breakfast is not special, but good enough to start your day. The location is terrific, everything is nearby. Only thing is that we sleep on the street side, meaning a lot of noise at night and in the morning because of renovations. Every bed has a locker, so make sure to bring a lock. The staff is nice, the wifi works and the people are social ☺️
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Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Luke wrote a review Jul 2019
Busselton, Australia98 contributions36 helpful votes
Probably the cheapest accommodation in Perth. It's fine for what you pay. I also had a free upgrade to a double room which was nice. Walking distance to most places around Perth CBD and inner city. The rooms look like they've had a freshen up since last time I stayed here with new linen.
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
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wanet2015 wrote a review May 2019
Jakarta48 contributions6 helpful votes
We (4 of us) just arrived hotel in late nite, then process check in and look arround receiption feel uncomfortable, but trying gwt feelong good with a hope changes feeling after sometime and check in to the room. But when start walking in coridor rooms get smell socks, shoes and moist. When entry to the room found messy bed like as someone just used but the receiptionist said its for us. Then also found on bed cover a spot like blood (pic). Then we dont used bed cover. We only use bed sheet which just receive from receiption. When coming morning try make breakfast and receiptionist informed shall give deposit $10/person for plate+glass+spoon+bowl, when return the things they will return the deposit. though its was clean but found dirty (pic). Kitchen is dirty. Shoes+sock+dirty clothes have placed infront of room without any control staff to ask keep their clothes inside. Sock can find everywhere. Unfortunately now i am suffering sick from mite (pic) as doctor first observation will do further lab. Cant imagine in Perth found accomodation like this condition, as i knew goverment have periodic checking condition. And really cant imagine how guest can stay on this hotel condition.
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
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ALSO KNOWN AS
the old swan barracks hotel perth
LOCATION
AustraliaWestern AustraliaGreater PerthPerthPerth CBD
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
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THE OLD SWAN BARRACKS: See 141 Reviews, Price Comparison and 51 Photos (Perth, Australia) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Swan Barracks
Which popular attractions are close to The Old Swan Barracks?
Nearby attractions include Oh Hey WA (0.4 km), Peddle Perth (0.4 km), and The Nostalgia Box Museum (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Old Swan Barracks?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a lounge, and self serve laundry.
What food & drink options are available at The Old Swan Barracks?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, a lounge, and a snack bar during their stay.
Is parking available at The Old Swan Barracks?
Yes, a parking garage, paid private parking on-site, and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Old Swan Barracks?
Conveniently located restaurants include My Bayon, Grand Lane Fish House, and Sauma.
Is The Old Swan Barracks located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.7 km away from the centre of Perth.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Old Swan Barracks?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, and German.
Are there any historical sites close to The Old Swan Barracks?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Bell Tower (1.2 km), The Perth Mint (1.1 km), and DFES Education and Heritage Centre (0.7 km).