The Sydney Harbour YHA is aimed at backpackers on strict budgets as well as families who want to save some cash. The overall vibe is a touch institutional and it feels a bit like a modern college dorm, but decor is in great shape and the large common spaces are kept spotless. The lobby is particularly impressive, and has a ton of tables with chairs and plush sofa areas. There's also a rooftop deck with lounge chairs and great views where inexpensive barbecues are held regularly. The hostel sits right next to the Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre and there's an archaeological dig site that's directly accessible (and viewable) from the hostel. The overall atmosphere is clean and relaxed, though -- as with most hostels -- noise can at times be an issue. 

The Sydney Harbour YHA is located in The Rocks neighborhood, just off the Cahill Expressway and a five-minute walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars within a short walk. Circular Quay, a major transport hub for both trains and ferries, is a nine-minute walk away. 

The Sydney Opera House takes about 15 minutes to reach on foot, while the Australian Museum and Hyde Park are a 10-minute drive away. The Taronga Zoo is a 15-minute drive away without traffic, while Bondi Beach takes closer to 20 minutes. The Sydney Airport takes a minimum of 15 minutes by car (without traffic) and can also be reached by the Airport Line (T2), which stops at Circular Quay. The trip takes around half an hour door-to-door. 

The Sydney Harbour YHA offers dorm rooms and private rooms with private bathrooms. Both same-sex and mixed dorms are available, the largest (and cheapest) of which sleep up to six people and are rented out by the bed. The hostel also offers a couple of family rooms with private bathrooms, including one with five beds. Decor is simple and institutional -- with white walls, white metal-framed bunk beds, and pale yellow lockers along with table and half-length mirrors -- though they have more polish than your typical hostel, with decorative accents in the bedding. Each room has its own simple bathroom with a toilet and walk-in shower that's shared with dorm mates. Private rooms have kettles, and closets instead of lockers.

Sydney Harbour YHA has a laundry room with five coin-operated washing machines and four dryers, and there's a utility sink and an iron/ironing board for guest use. There's also a clothing recycling station for guests who want to discard old items. Along with in-room lockers, the hostel has digital lockers that are useful for guests who have to leave luggage after checking out. The hostel also has a large communal kitchen with refrigerators, multiple stoves, and a ton of counter space, and guests can take their meals outside on the hostel's shaded balcony, which has tables and chairs. There's also a theater with multiple chairs and a large flat-screen TV that guests can use to watch movies from the hostel's collection and there's a book exchange at one end of the kitchen. Highchairs are available for parents traveling with children. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel and while it's not free, it is cheap.