About Jolly Swagman Hostel in Sydney

The Sydney Hostel Story

Let’s go back to 1975 …

There existed a small budget accommodation hostel / hotel (located on Victoria Street, Kings Cross Sydney).  This small ‘hostel’ was occupied by long-term elderly guests. 

Every so often, there would be a knock at the door and there standing (with a backpack or suitcase) would be young fresh-faced backpackers and travellers wanting a bed for the night.

Unfortunately, because all the current guests of the budget accommodation hostel were long-term guests, there was no room for the young breed of backpackers.

After a while, the owner of the small hostel / hotel in Victoria St decided that he much preferred the company of the backpackers and travellers – especially with their stories and tales of the Australian outback and the East coast and the excitement of Sydney – so he changed his business to a Backpackers Hostel. 

He did this by simply turning his sign over and writing “BACKPACKERS AND TRAVELLERS HOSTEL”.  He then helped all his long term guests to find alternative accommodation in other budget Hostels in the area.

The Jolly Swagman Backpackers Hostel in Sydney was born – the first travellers Hostel in Australia - and there in Victoria Street Kings Cross began a new industry in of backpacking and Hostelling Australia. That’s right; when you stay with us you are part of the history of Backpacking in Australia.

Backpackers first started arriving in Australia in 1975.  

By the year 2000 the trickle of backpackers had become a flood and an exciting new Australian backpacker industry was in full flow. The Jolly Swagman Hostel Sydney opened in 1975 and has operated as a family run hostel to the current day, with the same owner.

The first pioneer visitors and travellers taught us the basis of what all backpackers want - a good cheap Hostel, a clean hostel and a hostel base for fun, adventure and even romance. 

Of course things have moved on in terms of what extra facilities backpackers require, and the Jolly Swagman backpackers Sydney keeps up with the wants and needs of the young backpacker today - WIFI internet, DVD library, widescreen television, kitchen facilities, job search assistance, lockers, fridges etc.

Jolly Swagman Hostel Sydney has upgraded and moved to new building at 27 Orwell Street in Kings Cross, just around the corner from where it all began.

A lot of backpackers ask us …. 

"How did you come up with the name, Jolly Swagman Backpackers?”

A Jolly Swagman is mentioned in Australia’s second and most popular national anthem "Waltzing Matilda" which starts "Once a Jolly Swagman camped by a billabong". 

Historically a Swagman was Australia's first backpacker, a man who was adventurous, hardy, and free, a colourful character who loved life roaming the length and breadth of Australia. 

The Swagman would work for his living (he was a jack of all trades), camping outdoors under the big Australian sky, earning himself a few quid before moving on to new adventures.

This and the fact that the owner of the Jolly Swagman Backpackers Hostel Sydney had a brother who was a rebel and a Swagman and lived the travellers’ life are the reasons why the name Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney was chosen.

Thanks for reading the story of the Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney.  We hope you will choose to stay in our Sydney Hostel and we really look forward to your visit. Please Contact us if you have any questions.

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