Best Buy: YHA or VIP Backpackers Membership?

Im touring Australia during the month of February 2005. I will be
staying in hostels and budget places most nights. Segments are Sydney
to Cairns (including some islands), Alice Springs, Adelaide to
Melbourne. I am in my early 40s, travelling alone. I also use a
wheelchair, so "charming" hostels are out.

I am looking for recommendations on which membership is the best buy.
Critera: - overall value - coverage - locations (central or scenic
accessible by public transportation) - facilites - atmosphere - late
night noise - other USEFUL discounts on transportation, tours,
attractions, etc.

I heard that a YHA membership is good in some other countries. If so,
which ones?

Thanks.

"Wheels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Im touring Australia during the month of February 2005. I will be
staying in hostels and budget places most nights. Segments are Sydney
to Cairns (including some islands), Alice Springs, Adelaide to
Melbourne. I am in my early 40s, travelling alone. I also use a
wheelchair, so "charming" hostels are out.

I am looking for recommendations on which membership is the best buy.
Critera: - overall value - coverage - locations (central or scenic
accessible by public transportation) - facilites - atmosphere - late
night noise - other USEFUL discounts on transportation, tours,
attractions, etc.

Consider browsing http://www.yha.org.au/ to see what the YHA coverage
(including wheelchair access) is like in the places you intend to go.

Don't know if VIP has a web site to check... maybe someone else knows.

I heard that a YHA membership is good in some other countries. If so,
which ones?

Most of them. http://www.hihostels.com/

Remember to join in your home country, not when you get to Australia.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
Email: dbowen at custard dot net dot au
http://www.danielbowen.com/

"Wheels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Im touring Australia during the month of February 2005. I will be
staying in hostels and budget places most nights. Segments are Sydney
to Cairns (including some islands), Alice Springs, Adelaide to
Melbourne. I am in my early 40s, travelling alone. I also use a
wheelchair, so "charming" hostels are out.

I am looking for recommendations on which membership is the best buy.
Critera: - overall value - coverage - locations (central or scenic
accessible by public transportation) - facilites - atmosphere - late
night noise - other USEFUL discounts on transportation, tours,
attractions, etc.

Consider browsing http://www.yha.org.au/ to see what the YHA coverage
(including wheelchair access) is like in the places you intend to go.

Don't know if VIP has a web site to check... maybe someone else knows.

I heard that a YHA membership is good in some other countries. If so,
which ones?

Most of them. http://www.hihostels.com/

Remember to join in your home country, not when you get to Australia.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
Email: dbowen at custard dot net dot au
http://www.danielbowen.com/