City centre · 1-star · Above a heritage coffee shop in Australia Place
Borneo Backpackers
The long-running budget hostel in Australia Place, five minutes from Gaya Street, with fan and air-con dorms, private rooms and a post-war kopitiam downstairs — cheaper and more old-school than TOOJOU.
Checked against the hotel's own information and cross-referenced listings. Last checked August 2026.
Image obtained from agoda.com
To the airport (KKIA)
17 min9 km by road
Pool
No pool
Breakfast
Depends on rateAsk us for a rate with breakfast
Airport shuttle
NoneGrab or taxi, or ask us for a pickup
Walk to Jesselton Point
YesIsland boats leave from here
Booking
Ask usWe check the rate with the hotel
What it is
Borneo Backpackers sits on Lorong Dewan in Australia Place, the small street of hostels and cafés behind Gaya Street. It offers air-conditioned and fan dorms plus private single, twin and triple rooms, a pantry, laundry, a roof deck and a tour counter. The ground floor is a restored coffee shop with local food. Gaya Street is five minutes on foot, Jesselton Point about 15.
Rooms
Air-con or fan dorm beds and simple private rooms for one to three people. Basic, clean and cheap.
Does Borneo Backpackers have a pool?
No. Borneo Backpackers does not have a pool. That's typical of Kota Kinabalu's city-centre 3-stars; see the hotels with a pool if it matters to you.
Facilities we could confirm
Walking distance to Gaya Street
Walking distance to Jesselton Point ferry terminal
Anything not listed here is unconfirmed rather than absent. We'd rather leave a gap than guess.
Eating
The heritage coffee shop on the ground floor; Australia Place has several cafés and bars.
About 17 minutes by car (9 km), depending on traffic. Grab and taxis are easy at KKIA, or ask us to arrange a pickup.
Can I book Borneo Backpackers through this site?
Yes. Send your dates by WhatsApp or the form and our licensed Sabah tours agency confirms availability and rate with the hotel. There's no booking fee, and you can add island trips, a Kinabalu climb or airport transfers to the same enquiry.
