Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking

• Travel Insurance Guide for Backpackers by Tricia Underwood Backpackers Sydney Guest Author
  in Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking
  17 Dec 2012  | 0 Comments

  Arranging your family holiday or solo trip abroad involves a lot of planning and preparation, so booking your travel insurance should be as simple and straightforward as possible. With this guide, you can find out the basics of travel insurance to help you find the right policy quickly and with minimal fuss.

  Families, couples and Backpackers

  Your travel insurance should be tailored to suit your particular needs; whether you are travelling with your family, friends or by yourself. There are many different kinds of policies available these days and websites such as Expedia Travel Insurance can help you to sort through them all to find one that best suits your requirements. Multiple cover allows you to insurance more than one person under the same policy which can save you money if insuring a number of people at once. For those going it alone, your insurance can be made to fit your circumstances, such as how to contact home if something goes awry.

  Activity insurance

  For some people, lying on a beach for two weeks is the ideal holiday experience, but for others, they need a bit more excitement. If you are planning on taking part in any activities while you are away, make sure your family is properly covered before you start. Some event organisers and sporting activity companies will offer separate insurance that you can take up but for peace of mind, it is worth organising your own cover at home before you travel.

  Cancellations, illness or injury

  No one wants to think about the things that can go wrong while you are on holiday but the truth is these things happen. As a backpacker in Sydney, when you are travelling abroad and you or your loved one become ill or injured, it can save you valuable time and money if you have adequate insurance already in place. In countries that do not have free health-care, hospital and doctor's bills can run into the hundreds and getting funds transferred from back home can become a nightmare, so make sure you're fully prepared for every eventuality before you travel.

  Age-related policies

  If you are of a certain age, you can now find travel insurance specifically designed for you. If you are put off the idea of travelling abroad due to medical conditions or accessibility, you can now cover you and your travelling companion with policies tailored for your needs that still give you complete cover. The same goes for any under 18s travelling with you – families with small children can now find travel insurance that takes their younger family members into account when offer you a quote.

  Additional cover for unforeseen circumstances

  In today’s unsteady climate, there have been more and more instances of companies going bust and leaving backpackers and holiday-makers stranded. When booking your travel insurance it may be worth considering these facts and adding some extra cover to your policy, just in case. Some travel insurance policies will now offer you cover to find you alternative accommodation or transport if your agency or travel company goes belly-up while you're away.
• A day in the life of a Backpacker at Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel by Michelle
  in Backpackers Sydney Tourist Attractions, Backpacker Hostel Facilities, Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking, Hostel Life, Staying at a backpackers hostel, Sydney Backpackers Expo
  22 May 2012  | 0 Comments

  We understand that arriving at a backpackers for the very first time can be a daunting experience.  So, we asked Michelle, one of our brand new backpacker guests to write an article of her experience in staying here at the Jolly Swagman Backpackers in Sydney.  There was no coaching, no editing - this is exaclty what she wrote - here goes:
  
  Are you considering staying at the Jolly Swagman's Backpackers in Kings Cross? Want to know what kind of time you will be in for? Are questions swarming your mind- what are the staff like? What can you expect from your stay? Is it a social place? - Well, this is the article for you!
  
  8.00am
  
  After a blissful sleep in your 8 bed dorm room, you jump out of bed eager for the free continental breakfast that Joe the manager told you about whilst checking in. To your delight, there is a fantastic brekky on offer - delicious muesli, all types of bread, jam, marmalade and Australian cuisine at its finest - Vegemite! What a fab start to the day - enjoying a free and yummy breakfast whilst meeting other guests and listening to some great, mellow music.
  
  
  9.00am - 5.00pm
  
  After chatting to the front desk about what to do in Sydney, you head out for your first day exploring in the city. Without question, the first sight that you see is Circular Quay, complete with the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After several kodak moments, you stroll through the Rocks, grab a snazzy lunch in Darling Harbour and head up to China Town and Paddy's Markets for a bit of retail therapy.
  
  
  5.00pm
  
  Finally! You are back at the Jolly Swagman's Backpackers. After a long hard day's sighseeing all you want to do is kick back and veg out in front of the TV. Jolly's has a fabby TV room, complete with Foxtel (that's like sky or cable TV for you and me). You chill out on the beanbags (who would think beanbags could be so comfortable?) and watch Australia's finest TV - Neighbours!
  
  
  6.00pm
  
  Time for the newbies welcome meeting! This is a prime opportunity to meet all your new fellow guests as well as the awesome entertainment managers - Steph the resident party girl and Simone the Italian Stallion. They tell you all about the hostel, what to do in Sydney and the Jolly Swagman's entertainment plans for that night.
  
   
  
  7.00pm
  
  As you have had such a long and hard day at the office (yeah, right!), you deserve a night off from cooking. Luckily, as it is Friday, it is sausage sizzle night! YAY! Free hot dogs for everyone. Vegemite for brekky and a BBQ for dinnies - talk about immersing yourself in Aussie fine dining!
  
   
  
  9.30pm
  
  After enjoying a drink (or 10) of goon during games night (limbo being your piece de resistance), Steph, Simone and all the Jolly's gang head out into The Cross. Being part of "team Jolly", you are able to get free entry and free drinks in the bars and clubs designated for that night. You dance the night away in one of Sydney's coolest clubs and stumble back (a mere 2 minute walk away) with your new Jolly besties.
  
   
  
  So let's just recap boys and girls...
  
   
  
  Free brekky everyday +
  
  Free dinners 2 days a week +
  
  Great discounts and freebies in restaurants, bars, clubs throughout Sydney +
  
  Great people +
  
  Great location =
  
  OUTSTANDING HOSTEL
  
   
  Head to Jolly Swagman's Backpackers for the time of your life!

   

  Thank you Michelle for a great description of your day staying at Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel.

  Please feel free to leave your stories or comments about the Jolly Swagman here!
• Arriving at Jolly Swagman Kings Cross Backpackers by Chris
  in Backpackers Sydney Tourist Attractions, Backpacker Hostel Facilities, Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking, Hostel Life, Kings Cross, Staying at a backpackers hostel, Sydney Backpackers Expo
  24 Feb 2012  | 0 Comments

  Arriving at Jolly Swagman Kings Cross Backpackers

   

  After staying in numerous Kings Cross Backpackers during my 4 weeks in Sydney, I made a reservation at the Jolly Swagman after hearing great things from fellow travellers and backpackers. I arrived at 12 pm and was happy to be told I could check in immediately, as other hostels had made me wait until 2pm in the afternoon. I was greeted with a smile by Nicole on the hostels reception, who gave me my key, sheets, discount voucher booklet and free internet usage card. The hostel looked cheerful and fun, with its signature yellow paintjob continuing inside.

   

  I headed up to my room and was delighted to be in a room with only 3 beds. This is something that is a big plus for me, as after being in hostels for a month you can grow tired of the 12 or 8 bed rooms, where late night revellers’ and early bird day trippers frequently disrupt your sleep. As Kings Cross Backpackers go, the rooms at the Jolly Swagman are certainly near the top. My room has its own fridge and cupboards for storing my food and drinks, something which is another big plus, as in other hostels with communal fridges and cupboards your stuff can often go walk-abouts!

   

  I unpacked and headed for a shower. The hot water never ran out, something which other hostels in Kings Cross cannot offer. It was time for lunch so I nipped to Woolworths which was a 4 minute walk away from the hostel. I grabbed some backpacker basics (spaghetti, pasta sauce) and headed back to cook. I swapped my key for a saucepan at reception, something I was told ensures the pans get cleaned after use! After eating I was ready to start my day, but so far the Jolly Swagman had offered all I wanted from a Kings Cross Backpackers.
• 
  Sydney Backpackers Can Help Sydney Hostels in Caring for the Environment by Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney
  in Sydney Travel, Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking, Staying at a backpackers hostel
  5 Dec 2011  | 0 Comments

  Everyone has a responsibility to keep our environment clean and green.  At Jolly Swagman, we also stand by this advocate.  We know that by helping to save our planet, we are giving back what Mother Nature has been providing us for some many years.  Australia is blessed by its abundance of pristine nature and we don’t want to take this for granted.  So, we strive to reduce our impact on the environment by being ecologically conscious.  This is a message that we work hard to bring to all our guests.  We have also joined the other hostels in Sydney in encouraging Sydney backpackers to be as environmentally concerned as we are.

   

  We are driven to keep our environment natural and beautiful.  Through these efforts, we will be able to continue offering all our visitors the natural beauty of Australia.  So, we appeal to all backpackers to be with us in protecting our environment. 

   

  How Sydney Backpackers can travel “Green” while in Australia

   

  All staff at Jolly Swagman work hard to do our part in conversation and preservation our surrounding environment.  We also do our best to convey this message to all our guests staying with us.  Here are some simple ways you can pitch in:

   

  • Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
    • You’re probably sick of hearing it but it’s true!
  • No to plastic bags and packages
    • Use refillable drink containers instead.
  • Don’t litter.
    • Throw your garbage, especially cigarette butts, into the trash bin.
  • Save water.
    • Turn off showers and faucets when not in use while bathing, washing or brushing your teeth.
  • Save energy.
    • Turn off lights when not in use.
    • Turn off power points or unplug electrical appliances and electronic devices before leaving the room.
    • Don’t overcharge electronic gadgets.
    • Share washing machines with others to only do full loads and use only cold water.
    • Avoid using dryers and hang washed clothes outside.  The Aussie sun will dry them in no time.
    • Reduce heater consumption by wearing warm clothes when you’re cold rather than overusing heater.
    • Use public transport or car pool when possible.  We have a great train & ferry system that goes to all the sights.
  • Use biodegradable and recyclable products.
    • Toiletries, batteries, etc.
  • Choose Eco-Certified tourism products. 
    • Look for ECO logo.
  • Make your own food.
    • Avoid fast food and take-out packaging.
    • Buy local produce.

   

  Transportation: Huge Impact to the Environment

   

  As a backpacker, it is important that you get to visit as many exciting destinations you can as possible.  In Australia, we have a range of transportation services offered for travellers who want to take a look around the city, certain regions or even the rest of the country.  Our continuing drive to reduce our impact on the environment has led us to plan affordable tour packages that encourage backpackers to travel through the use of public transportation or car pools. 

   

  Throughout Sydney, the best way to get around would be through the train/subway system called CityRail.  If you’re venturing outside Sydney there are a host of transportation options that we have listed below to choose from.  We encourage our guests at Jolly Swagman to choose the affordable transportation option that has the least environmental impact.

   

  • Coach
    • Cheapest and most affordable option
    • Goes through major regional routes
  • Backpacker Tour
    • Growing in popularity among travellers
    • “Jump-on, Jump-off” style tour
    • Point-to-point trips to and from popular destinations
  • Train
  • Air
    • Cheap deals during promotional periods
    • Faster travel when jumping from one city to another farther section of the country
  • Self Drive
    • Backpacker groups that prefer to travel more extensively

   

  You can also ask our travel specialist at the Reception to help you find special transport passes and fare schemes or flexible tour packages inclusive of transfers.

   

  Contact us today and we will help you travel around Sydney and beyond with your comfort and the environment in mind.
• 
  Hostels, Youth Hostels and Backpackers what are they? by Jolly Backpackers Sydney
  in Backpackers Hostels and Backpacking
  19 Mar 2009  | 0 Comments

  Hostels, Youth Hostels and Backpacker Hostels

  One and the same - but what are exactly are they??

  Hostels provide budget accommodation where guests can rent a bed, and sometimes a bunk bed in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available. Hostels are generally cheaper for both the operator and the occupants.

  HOSTEL DO'S

  Some "Dos" before starting your backpacking adventure are to pick some nice hostels to stay in. Remember your budget, as this will have a bearing on where you rest your head at night. Also it is recommended to pack an open mind and a good sense of humour when you are starting your backpacking adventure.

  HOSTEL DONT'S

  A "Don't" is, don't expect a hotel when you book into a hostel. If you shop around you will undoubtedly get high quality accommodation but what you will not get is room service and some of the facilities that you might normally expect from a hotel such as a restaurant, bar, and a gym. The good news however is that for most of the budget accommodation in Kings Cross, these facilities are right on your door step.