100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Backpackers' hostel going boutique as renovation gets underway

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Reservoir’s $3.9m facelift and structural upgrade

An iconic landmark visible from a major coastal road is undergoing maintenance and a facade refresh. The water reservoir along David Low Way at Peregian More

Wind farm axed after community, approval concerns

A wind farm north of the Sunshine Coast that was set to power almost 500,000 homes has been abandoned, raising concerns for the future More

B2B: Homeowners should consider ATO debt consolidation

Many Australians face the challenge of managing Australian Tax Office (ATO) debt alongside mortgages, personal loans and everyday expenses. This financial pressure can make cash More

Photo of the day: mountain view

“After being away for a few weeks, it was lovely to be reminded of how beautiful our Glass House Mountains are. Viewed from McCarthy’s More

Bowls club redevelopment refusal sparks appeal

An appeal has been launched in the Planning and Environment Court after a council rejected a proposal to develop a former bowls club site. Sunshine More

Former Sizzler site snapped up for $12m

A Sunshine Coast-based property developer has acquired a high-profile former restaurant site for $12 million, unlocking the potential for a 37.5-metre-high mixed-use project. The 4178sqm More

A backpackers’ hostel in a prime Sunshine Coast location is getting a fresh look.

The Suncoast Backpackers Lodge in Parker Street, Maroochydore, is being revamped as a boutique backpackers’ hotel.

The lodge has a history of hosting international visitors on a budget but was also providing longer-term accommodation during Covid and the housing crisis.

The lodge had been operated by a leaseholder for several years but owner Chay Hutton said the property was vacated prior to the renovation work commencing this month.

“We’ve owned the building for a number of years and his lease was coming to an end so we’ve decided to do a full rebrand and renovation,” Ms Hutton said.

She said vacant possession had been necessary before work began due to the extent of the renovations, which include new bathroom fit-outs and possibly a pool.

The old Suncoast Backpackers Lodge will look very different in a couple of months.

The lodge has 13 rooms, four bathrooms and a manager’s unit, and can accommodate about 47 people.

It will remain closed while the work is carried out.

“It’s really going quickly. As it’s all block wall, it doesn’t need to be stripped. The bathrooms have been redone, they are finalising the fit-out for the bathrooms this week and the painters are about to start work this week as well,” Ms Hutton said.

She hoped the revamp would be completed in time for a December reopening but said approval for a pool was still pending with the council.

The revamp and rebrand will include a new name incorporating the street name, Palms on Parker.

“It’s exciting. It will be a fresh start. It will be great when it’s done,” she said.

Ms Hutton said the aim was to appeal to backpackers aged 18 to 35 who were after short-term accommodation, although there was a possibility of revisiting this before the Olympics.

“It’s in the right spot,” she said.

Tradies are on the job at what was formerly known as Suncoast Backpackers Lodge.

“It’s pretty close to the beach, Cotton Tree, the CBD and the river. I think’s it’s a great position for the market.”

Ms Hutton envisaged bookings would open shortly before opening, although a website and booking system were yet to be finalised.

She said it was likely live-in managers would run the property but this would depend on finding the “right people”, and there would likely be a training and handover period first.

The revamp of the backpackers’ accommodation comes at a time when Parker Street, one street back from busy Aerodrome Road, is undergoing something of a renewal.

“They’re building over the road from us and I think (developer) Mal Pratt’s getting ready to do something with his place (next door),” Ms Hutton said.

Ms Hutton is of the understanding that some of those who vacated the hostel before the renovations went into temporary accommodation through the Department of Housing and are on a pathway to longer-term solutions.

Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed at the bottom of this article.

 

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share