I lived in Barkly Backpackers for three months, of which I worked for accommodation for about two and a half. My work consisted of making beds and general house keeping like hoovering and cleaning the kitchen for about two hours each day. the hostel is located pretty well with only about five minutes foot walk away from the beach and acland street, where most of the shops and cafes in St Kilda are. it is easy and fast to get to melbourne by tram. the hostel has a rooftop area with a barbecue. sometimes we would meet there and eat together. it is easy to make friends there, even for shy or introverted people. the hostel itself is pretty clean for a Backpacker Hostel. the kitchen can get crowded in the evening and sometimes all the bathrooms are occupied. the kitchen has a lot of utensils. they may not be of the best quality but they are free to use and always available. the kitchen itself gets cleaned at least twice a day. having worked there myself, I can confidently say that despite what other people have posted here, the hostel is a good place to stay and the owner is a friendly person and good, understanding boss. whenever I needed something or wanted advice (e.g. finding a job or my lost apple pencil), I had someone to talk to and help. I felt save and respected during my stay. I really enjoyed living in barkly backpackers and I think coming there has been one of the best decision i’ve ever made as the hostel has a very home-y feeling to it. I felt like I was part of a community from the moment I walked through the door. I met a lot of nice people and made friends. it was hard to leave and I would like to come back for a visit some day. thank you so much for the amazing time I had. Barkly Backpackers felt like a home to me, even though I only stayed a couple of months and I miss living there a lot.

Review based on 3 weeks accommodation in June 2023. Recommend for short stay. Not for longer stays if you value your own quiet space. Pros: • Some social People (many longer term backpackers are working) • Laundry facilities • Daily room clean • Cost effective weekly rate • x2 four ring Gas stoves & x2 sinks • Roof-top social area (closes at 10pm) • Possibility to work for free accommodation. Cons: I personally had a bed without power sockets, and the extension was inadequate as it passed over the top bunk person who often accidentally disconnected the power during his sleep. The room also has a 1ft gap between the top of the wall and the ceiling! This caused the stairway lights to light up & sound to travel into the room when you're trying to get to sleep. • Very small hostel social area (Cabin fever is real, ensure you go for a walk each day otherwise you might feel like you're living in a shoe box) There is no other social area (front desk (guarded by owner for 14h a day) / table tennis / sofa area / dining table & crammed kitchen space is the entire space). • No bedside lights, no *locker or shelf storage (*rooms may vary), • x2 crammed double fridges & dry food storage, x1 microwave. • very tight kitchen (with island food prep area) / dinning area with more than 8 people... • No consistent method of lighting the Right-side gas stove (lighters go missing, and the response to asking for another suitable method of ignition was met with a somewhat hostile / passive responsibility from the owner). • No utensil draws, no cupboard doors for plastic boxes etc (they often fall into the floor) • tiny U-shaped sofa area (same anti-social long term backpackers are glued to their positions playing laptop computer games) • The Hostel never got deep clean (communal area sticky surfaces, lack of attention to detail when cleaning of bathroom areas that collect dust / grime). • Some guests are quite inconsiderate about leaving their stuff all over the room (great to trip over at 6am getting ready for work with a phone for a torch in a room without sidelights). • The regular response to "can I get a working socket to charge my phone / locker storage space etc, was "It's a work in progress".... The resident handyman talks about completing tasks, then takes weeks to do just little bits at a time. The Owner is from my observation only interested in making money. There was zero attempt made to even replicate a genuine connection with me, despite several attempts to share conversation or show sincere wellbeing acknowledgement. I was feeling under pressure (cabin fever & pressure to cook and get out of the kitchen as other people also wanted to cook), and I asked for a lighter from the owner... I may have come across as quite blunt and slightly off (to which I intended to apologize for afterwards), but the attitude of the owner and his complete disregard for responsibility of the kitchen, the other guests and of his lack of willing to understand why I might have spoken out of character was summed up immediately "It's not all about you! I've already handed out one lighter (missing), you are speaking to me like a .... (After I spoke with a slightly firmer tone regarding the kitchen being his responsibility), What the hell is wrong with you!" (Rhetorical question as he has zero care to learn about my mental health or the time that was being wasted with other people wanting to cook, & instead walked off). Attitude: Considering he pulls in around $1k per day I don't think it is out of order to fix the gas stove (or provide a couple of giant kitchen lighters); buy / build some simple shelving lockers; or for that 'Matt'er to actually be considerate and hospitable / try having a conversation / or maybe try smiling every once in a while with people who pay for your existence. Supposedly owner is stressed & working 15 hours a day. Why? Spend a bit of money?! (ha!) to get some part time staff who are going to be around for more than a few weeks. Value people over money to get the best in life. Simple.

AVOID IT The personal was so rude, they ask you tu leave your passport as a bond if you lose the useless room key. I lost my bus because I tried to check out at 7:30 but I couldn't because nobody was at the desk just in order to give me back my passport... why? Because the guy who works at night was so rude when I said "hey I don't have enough cash, I want to pay that bond by debit or giving you a less important ID" He replied to me in a such bad way asking for my passport like it's worth 20 stupid dollars or the as that stupid and useless key. Not coming back again.

Best hostel in Melbourne! I've been here for 1 month and I'm not leaving!! BBQs on the rooftop everytime it's a bit sunny, one big table in the middle of the kitchen for everyone to sit around and get to know each other, huge couches, movie nights, ping pong games, good music on all day... Very Family Vibe!! Actually feels like home Matt, the owner, is very present, and will help you with any enquiry. Rooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily, my sheets are changed every 3 days and my bed is very comfy. I recommand 100%

A spacious and cozy place! Here I can cook and have enough space to store my food. They also provide lockers and a box in the room for you to put your stuff. They also a big wooden table and sofa so you can relax eating or chatting with people. The best hostel I have stayed in Melbourne!!

I stayed at Barkly two times for a couple of days. I love the people!! There are a lot of long-term backpacker, what is positive. You always get into a conversation when you hang out or cook in the common room. The only minus is that the kitchen is very dirty. The staff cleans the kitchen every morning, but the bagpackers just don't clean after them. Sad!! The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are average. If I will visit Melbourne again I will come to that hostel again!!

Great hostel. Loved the spacious room I was in and the kitchen was well equipped with pans and plates and even had an oven. The lounge area was well set out and a good place to meet people. Loved the bathrooms too

Customer service is insanely good and friendly. Probably the best customer service out there in general. Rooms were a bit dirty here and there, but its a backpackers, so you can't expect a 5 star hotel.

I lived there in 2017 while doing my Australian journeys. For the most part I got along with alot of people there and it kinda felt like a hostel family. We hung out,drank and partied quite alot. Was fun and Matt was a great owner, ran things right. You cant beat the location its St kilda right near the beach.

I spent 10 days at this hostel. Very cool and cosy atmosphere you end up knowing everybody pretty quickly and good value for money

This is a tiny, cosy and chill hostel. With big windows in the rooms and shared space and clean sheets and bathrooms.There is good heating and a kitchen that makes it more homy and free brecky every morning. Matt is great and always helpful if you need anything. I felt really comfy there and relaxed. I totally recomend it if you are looking for a chill, clean and friendly hostel.

The management here is Angellic ! The owner is there , always keeping things so homey it is homesick-good . The clientele are worth keeping your eye on ( considering there is alternative accomodation within walking distance . ) Watch out for ' groups ' , because they will complain about you to get rid of you , so they can do their weed deals with Imputiny . If you are a group , THIS is the HOMIEST place . Sweetest , cosiest bedding ... three cooking places with a HUGE prep island ... and like I said , the owner is THERE , ( usually keeping things up to scratch . ) Enjoy ( in a group , for alone , you will be complained about . Which the owner has to listen to . ) I loved the PLACE .. and I think the on-site owner is way cool , no matter what weird stuff other people made him listen to .

Great Backpackers, personally the best in Melbourne. Friendly staff. Good job guys.

Great hostel with very accommodating staff, it’s the best hostel I have stayed at in Australia so far. 100% would come back again.

Ok, so the location and price are fantastic, bed is not too bad, bathrooms very clean, but it's kind of all spoilt by a terribly over supervised environment. The staff desk unfortunately blends into the lounge and kitchen areas, so someone's watching you the whole time and if they're not the cameras are. And look it's not like I've got anything major to hide, we all know what backpackers get up to, but I get inhibited and repressed in overly supervised environments and so I'm not a fan On one occasion i was told off for cutting weed up for a mix and was advised that discretion is the largely agreed upon approach, but I think the manager was unaware it's been legalised for medicinal use in Melbourne. I can't imagine people would be upset about being open about your medication, but according to the manager, who is just so annoyingly always there, it's best I keep my medicating rituals a private endeavour. Fine by me I suppose because if your not discreet your always expected to share. To top it off, after noticing the very distanced air coming from the manager, I figured it might be wise to get to know him on a personal level and perhaps create a bond to insure the availability of my bed in future. But I was blocked and told there's be no more beds available following the 9 th of September. Which means I'll fall into homelessness again unless I find another backpacker. There's mice. Even amongst the kitchen dry goods bags. it's a tad crampy and pokey, I live in constant fear of being locked in a bathroom because of extremely cheap handles and locking mechanisms and at times a bit cold Music is excellent Tenants are mostly lovely, except for a bossy Malaysian and a straight up psychopath northern American who was prone to hissy outbursts of disguised anger and seething dialogue

Had a wonderful time there Arrived later than expected at night and Matt arranged everything so that I was well taken care of. Thank you!!

Great place to stay in St Kilda. It's close to everything, kept clean, and has a nice atmosphere

Terrible service. Wouldn’t stay there to save my life not that it would help as I was kicked out for liking someone the owner had a crush on. Only place in st kilda not worth staying with.

Absolute stunning. The review left by josh r is absolute gibberish. He was harassing my friend and she complained it to hostel owner and matty, owner kicked him out. So he's bad mouthing business. The place itself is one of the best in st kilda to stay. Have playstation and good lounger area to socialise and hang around. Kitchens 24/7.

I loved this place. It has a homely feel to it and I enjoyed the free breakfast too. The previous review from Josh R is a fake review. This guy got kicked out for stalking one of the female guests. The police came and took Josh away in handcuffs. Good on the owner for protecting the female guests from creeps like him.

Enjoyed our stay here. Decent location. Rooms are nice enough. Not enough bathrooms really but not a huge issue.

Great people, and good vibe. Nice respectful reception.

Clean beds and bathrooms, good value for money,

Sore back didn't get to my husband place instead

Stayed here before and after we went to Tasmania. Great hostel. Really clean and friendly, and lots of space. Owner is super helpful - opened reception early for us and got breakfast ready early when we had our ferry to Tassie. Free laundry power was an added plus. Only thing was the WiFi didn’t really work in the girls room, but it did work great in the living room and everyone there kept offering us cakes and sweets so really not an issue.

Good small hostel with a houselike atmosphere + the kitchen has an oven! Matt, the hostel boss, is also always open for a good chat. Recommended!

Absolutely amazing stay at Barkleys. Matt the owner is sooo friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean and bathroom in each bedroom was cleaned daily. Very welcoming atmosphere. There's even a stunning roof top where Matt held a few bbqs and provided food. The location is supreme and close to everything. I would recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a peace of mind or to make friends. The kitchen had all that you need and a common area with books board games plug ins. I will totally return to Barkelys when I return to Melbourne. 12/10!!!!

Have been staying here on and off for six months now while travelling solo. I keep coming back because of the little communities that consistently keep forming here. With a good mix of long stay and short stay backpackers it's small enough that the cliques/friend groups you find in large hostels don't form and yet big enough that there's always a new faces. It's designed and run in a way that it's very easy to talk to new people and make meaningful friendships. The living area is perfect for meeting people as the shared kitchen area and single large dining table means you will be eating/cooking alongside other people for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's also a shared sofa area perfect for movie nights, window seats for some alone time, a rooftop social/smoking area, free pcs/printing, and five bathrooms and showers. In the time that I have been here there have been dozens of community movie nights, poker nights, chess nights, boardgames/puzzles, rooftop barbeques, beach days, surfing trips, hiking days, nighttime swimming, afl and football trips ect ect. It's in a great location. A five minute walk to the 96, 16, 3, and 67 trams into the city, five minutes walk to coles, woolworths, and aldi, and five minutes walk to the beach/albert park/st kilda botanical gardens. Matt (the owner) is strict but fair. In the few cases I have witnessed of people making others uncomfortable/causing trouble they have been dealt with and kicked out swiftly. So long as you are willing to be considerate of others, tidy up after yourself and keep your area tidy life here is easy and without incident. I also worked for accommodation for two months which was simple enough work and reasonable. I couldn't recommend this place more for a solo traveller somewhat nervous about making friends. I came here not knowing a single person and have made friends and found community time and time again.

Average hostel. Not great. Not terrible. Cheap prices. Good location. Close to the beach. Bathrooms are good. Full of the usual European cliques. There was also a woman whose tan made her look like an Oompa Loompa. Nearly vomited from seeing it. Ok for a short stay. That's about it.