YHA Ltd, trading as YHA Australia, is a not-for-profit of members trading corporation providing accommodation, travel and associated service in Australia. It is a member organisation of Hostelling International. It is a provider of backpacker accommodation in Australia. YHA Ltd is a management and director controlled corporation with managers and directors controlling the selection of successive directors and directors being able to appoint a least one-third of their number without election Directors may profit from payments but members are not entitled to a share of profits or assets. Profits are not necessarily spent or re-invested in the network of hostels or the provision of accommodation and services to members. In recent decades, the organisation changed focus and closed many hostels in rural areas and concentrated on providing travel accommodation in major tourist destinations, particularly large accommodation in metropolitan areas and coastal cities and towns where accommodation was already readily supplied. While still using the name YHA, the organisation now provides accommodation regardless of age. At the same time, the types of accommodation provided has changed from hostel to a broad mix including hotel-style rooms and suites and self-contained accommodation.
The YHA 'house and tree' trademark symbol originates from the first Youth Hostelling signs in Europe in 1934. The open door symbolises a welcome to travellers, with the tree and house representing shelter and respect for each other and the environment.
History
For the history of Youth Hostelling as a movement see Origins of youth hostelling. YHA Ltd was registered on 28 May 2002 under the name, YHA NSW Ltd. The organisation succeeded YHA NSW Inc., formerly named the Youth Hostels Association of New South Wales Inc. which had succeeded the unincorporated Youth Hostels Association of New South Wales which had been formed in 1942 under the auspices of the Government of New South Wales. The first Youth Hostel Association formed in Australia was YHA Victoria, founded in 1939 Melbourne, followed by YHA New South Wales, YHA South Australia, YHA Tasmania, YHA Western Australia, YHA Queensland and YHA Northern Territory. In 1947, the state-based organisations formed the Australian YHA as a federated body to allow Australia to be represented in the International Youth Hostelling Federation. Between 2007 and 2017, the state and territory-based YHA organisations outside New South Wales and the operations of the Australian YHA merged into YHA Ltd with some becoming controlled subsidiaries or charitable trusts.
Heritage hostels
Fremantle Prison YHA is located in the World Heritage listed 19th century former prison's women's wing. Railway Square YHA is situated on the disused 'Platform Zero' of Sydney's Central Station, with replica rail carriages providing multi-share rooms and the old parcels sorting shed re-purposed into the hostel's main building. Newcastle Beach YHA is a converted 'gentleman's club' founded in 1885, and Blue Mountains YHA is a well preserved art deco building that used to be the home of the Wentworth Cabaret, featuring the oldest sprung timber dance floor in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sustainability
YHA Australia is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and raising awareness of the benefits of low-impact travel. YHA's Sustainable Hostels Fund – which encourages guests to donate $1 when they book a stay online that YHA then matches dollar for dollar – has helped install solar hot water systems at Adelaide Central, Perth City, Byron Bay, Cairns Central, Glebe Point, Pittwater, Grampians Eco Lodge and Melbourne Metro, as well as solar power in Alice Springs, which generates as much as half of that hostel's energy needs. The 145 solar cells installed on Perth City's rooftop in 2014 saves more than 42 tonnes of carbon emissions a year. YHA-owned hostels stopped selling disposable water bottles in 2014, instead encouraging guests to purchase refillable bottles at reception. Some YHA hostels feature rainwater tanks, on-site vegetable gardens and composters, bike rental, swap shelves, low-energy lightbulbs/LEDs, and water-saving bathroom devices to promote sustainable travel.
Awards
In 2019, the Grampians Eco YHA was the winner of 'Best Accommodation in Australia' and 'Best Accommodation in Victoria' at the Adventure Tourism Awards. Sydney Harbour YHA also won 'Best Accommodation in NSW' for 2019, along with Hobart Central YHA for 'Best Accommodation in Tasmania'. In 2018, the winner of the 'Best Accommodation in Australia' award at this event was Noosa YHA, which also won the award for 'Best Accommodation in Queensland.' The following won in their respective States: Melbourne Central YHA ; Fremantle Prison YHA and Adelaide Central YHA. In previous years, many other awards have also been bestowed on YHA properties, including Sydney Central YHA and Sydney Harbour YHA winning the 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' Award at the Australian Tourism Awards. Adelaide Central YHA has won 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in South Australia; Alice Springs YHA has won 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in the Northern Territory; Brisbane City YHA and Cairns Central YHA 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in Queensland; Melbourne Metro YHA 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in Victoria; Perth City YHA 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in Western Australia, and Thredbo YHA 'Best Backpacker Accommodation' in the Canberra & Capital Region awards.
