For 50 years, Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) has provided accommodation across Australia for First Nations people who are travelling, relocating or who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities.
AHL currently has 42 nation-wide hostels for First Nations people to access.
You can access our national network of hostels, whether you’re away from home for education, employment, health or other reasons.
As an Australian Government organisation, we endeavour to ensure our hostels are safe, comfortable and affordable for First Nations people, with the added convenience of including 3 meals a day during your stay.
Need a place to stay?
Our hostels are like a home away from home, so whatever your reason for staying with us – visiting friends, cultural business, studying, working or attending community events – you’ll always feel welcome.
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With a little help from AHL along the way, Australian Idol winner Royston proves he is ‘Invincible’
Staying at an Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) hostel has opened doors for many First Nations people.
Take Royston Noell (Sagigi-Baira) for example.
As a proud Thanakwith and Wagadagam man, Royston inspired people around the country earlier this year when he took out the Australian Idol 2023 trophy, against some fierce competition.
Winning one of Australia’s most high-profile televised singing competitions has certainly opened doors for Royston, including a recording contract with Sony Music, the release of his debut single ‘Invincible’ and spending time overseas being mentored and writing new music.
As many high achievers have proven, success doesn’t happen overnight.
Royston hails from the tiny and remote town of Mapoon, located on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, with a population of around 400 people.
Royston reflected that, ‘most kids wanted to play rugby or go fishing, but I just wanted to sing. It's all I ever wanted to do.’
To get started in the performing arts field, Royston moved to the ‘big smoke’ and studied at the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA) in Brisbane.
During this time, Royston stayed at AHL’s Elley Bennett Hostel, which helped him immensely while studying at ACPA.
Royston said, ‘moving to Brisbane was super exciting but also really daunting. Despite that, I had the best time at Elley Bennett Hostel because there were so many other students from ACPA staying there and it was super convenient because ACPA was only down the road.
‘I found it so easy being a new adult while staying in Elley Bennett because meals were included in the weekly rent which I loved.’
Visit our News Page to read more of Royston’s story.
- Aboriginal Hostels Limited acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or printed material of deceased people.
