Melbourne Central YHA on Flinders

Melbourne Central YHA is centrally located near the corner of Flinders and Spencer Street in the Melbourne CBD, overlooking the North Shore of the Yarra River – a site earmarked for a new shopping and residential development to rival that of the Docklands and Southbank.

YHA Victoria purchased the former Markillie’s Hotel on Flinders Street in December 2005 with a view to opening a new 208-bed backpacker’s hub in central Melbourne. Now, after an intensive three-year planning and renovation process, that dream is set to become a reality.

The five-storey building is of Edwardian-era neo-baroque architectural style and was originally constructed in 1915 to provide low cost accommodation and bar facilities for workers and travellers associated with the docks, markets and railways of early Melbourne.

The original façade has been restored to its former glory and the interior has been extensively renovated to cater for today’s discerning backpackers in an environment that reflects the eclectic culture, style and character for which Melbourne is so famous.

Melbourne Central YHA guests can choose to stay in private rooms with ornate balconies overlooking Flinders Street, or even live the high life in one of the hostel’s unique rooftop terrace rooms. The ground floor houses Bertha Brown’s, a vibrant new Melbourne bar that promises to add a touch of individuality and style for backpackers and city-dwellers alike.

Of course, you can expect YHA’s commitment to the environment to be seen everywhere in this building. The hostel features water efficient appliances, energy efficient lighting and insulation, plus low-E glass to reduce potential heat loss in winter and gain in summer. In fact, the whole building was recycled from the original structure on the site, thereby reducing the embodied energy of the project as compared to a new building of the same size.

Melbourne Central YHA will be the latest feather in the YHA Australia cap, strengthening the existing network of over 120 YHA Hostels across Australia and 4,000 Hostelling International Hostels worldwide. YHA is a not for profit, member based organisation that has been providing budget accommodation and travel in Australia for 70 years.

Melbourne Central YHA is opening in April 2009 - see www.yha.com.au for more details.