The Tropic Days and Traveller's Oasis backpacker hostels in Cairns, northern Queensland, have been given a dramatic makeover, reports Cairns.com.
According to the local news site, the hostels now offer tropical landscaped gardens and swimming pools.
Rooms are decorated with paintings and hand-crafted furniture including wrought iron and mosaic tile features.
The hostels' co-owner Kathy Fallon told Cairns.com: "Our determination to highlight unique points of difference has led us on a colourful and creative journey away from the mainstream.
"We are certainly proud of our business and consider both hostels worthy art galleries of local endeavour," she added.
Recent reports suggest increasing popularity for the mid-career gap year.
Workers made redundant are choosing to make the most of their time by seeing the world in style, often choosing boutique hotels over hostels.
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