Base has acquired the large Sydney CBD hostel, Wanderers On Kent, and takes over the existing operation on the 5th July 2004.   This will be the ninth luxury hostel to be opened by the Group since December 03 with a further four under construction in Australia.  The Wanderers is housed in a heritage building and is ideally located in the centre centre, close to all forms of transport and entertainment areas such as Darling Harbour and Haymarket. The hostel has 326 beds and features a bar, café, guest laundry, tour and work agency, guest

Base Sydney 477 Kent Street Sydney CBD 2000 NSW Australia

The property will undergo an extensive refurbishment to bring it into line with the Base philosophy.

In addition, Base has leased the next door building, 469 Kent Street, which will be converted to offer additional ensuite guest rooms, a new ground floor bar and restaurant. This second property will be open within 12 months. This Sydney property is a lynchpin property as it provides a gateway to the rest of Australia and New Zealand.

Base Sydney will feature the Sanctuary floor, an upmarket girls-only zone which has proved to be a big attraction at Base properties in New Zealand, Melbourne and Townsville.   This is a direct response to the growing number of single women who are leaving home to experience the adventures of global backpacking. 

Mr Graeme Warring, CEO of Base Backpackers says we see the acquisition of this Sydney property as an opportunity to really gain some traction in the Australian market and repeat the group's success in New Zealand where an occupancy rate of more than 80% has been achieved. 

"Base is receiving international recognition for our extremely high standards and the innovative way we are approaching the market.  We have set new benchmarks for the discerning backpacker market," said Warring.

"Our rates remain at a low $25.00 per night however, we are attracting a broader age bracket of travellers who are looking for the backpacking experience but still like their luxuries.

"We plan to open 25 Base Backpacker Hostels in the three years in Australia and New Zealand.  We have a minimum of nine hostels established and running with a further five sites under construction by the end of '05 in Australia and New Zealand, so we are well underway to achieving our goals.

"Base Magnetic Island, located on the beach front at Nellie Bay and famous for its full moon parties, will be opened in August 2004.  This facility will provide the fun and adventure of Ibiza with an Australian flavour.  A 330 bed facility in the Melbourne CBD will be opened in December 04."

Mr warring said another innovation of Base Backpackers was that it had developed packages that could be sold by travel agents. The Base Jumping Packages is a voucher-system programme that is discounted to travel agents for selling either individually or as part of a package. 

For further information: Phillipa Harrison or Graeme Warring 61-2 8353 7600
Email: [email protected]