quiet small hostel in Sydney - mission impossible?

planning a trip to Australia (Sydney-Adelaide-Sydney, taking about
three months) departing late November. First stop is Sydney to get
over the jet lag and buy a car. We've been there a couple of times
before but not for a couple of years, and are looking for a small and
most importantly QUIET hostel/backpackers. Done a lot of BBH hostels
in New Zealand and have found similar idyllic places in Oz. Clearly
it won't be as cheap or as quiet, but we don't want to end up in the
all-night backpacker party places; we're in our 40s!!

any ideas? have found some possibles on the web and Rough Guide but
nothing like recommendations!

many thanks
Helen

please reply to group, e-mail address given doesn't work (or insert my
middle initial 's' so that it does)

On 28 Oct, 05:28, kangaroo16 <kangaro... DeleteThis @invalid.com> wrote:

(lots of good stuff snipped)
>
> Cheers,
> Kangaroo16


hi again,

just to say a big thank you for taking the time with all that, I
really appreciate it. Further research reveals that we have to think
about things like the 'stamp duty' when we buy a car, which seems to
be a few per cent of the value, and also that registration is quite
pricey, almost at UK levels. Still, all good food for thought.

you asked 'why hostels?' at their best they are like living in the
place you are visiting; lots of help and information but also a
comfortable if simple room (don't do dorms!) a lounge and a kitchen
where you can cook your own food and make your own cup of tea.
(british to the core...) You can't do that in a hotel. Many places
will have a stack of books and magazines, a comfy sofa etc; my home in
the UK is currently rented out so while I can't complain at the
opportunity to cross the planet, I do appreciate feeling at home.

while everyone is entitled to let their hair down, there are plenty of
hostels where the all-night partying will stop others sleeping; I've
chosen the wrong place once or twice in NZ and been woken at 2am and
again at 6am by shrieks, shouts, crashing doors and loud music. This
also means trashed kitchens, and while the hostel staff will clear up
it is not very pleasant when you come down in the morning. So I think
it best that there are two sorts of hostels; ones for those who are
travelling to party, and ones for those who are travelling to enjoy
the country, rest at night and enjoy socialising with locals and
visitors while still being able to see straight. As long as we all
pick the right place for the group we're in, no problem!

incidentally if anyone is off to NZ I've been to 60-odd hostels there
and can help with suggestions.

back to the Oz research!

cheers
Helen