Yes, we know you're in Europe to experience the culture, but sometimes a good old fashioned piece of Australian kitsch really does hit the spot.

You won't struggle to find a plastic-crocodile infested pub that serves VB schooners in almost any European city. But if that's just not enough to assuage your homesickness, Aussie-themed hostels have been popping up across the continent — some in the most obscure places:

Friendly Fun Frank's, Latvia

The eponymous Frank is an Aussie ex-pat who's made the Latvian capital Riga his home and runs one of the most highly rated hostels on the Baltic backpacking circuit. Situated within the walls of Riga's medieval castle, its rooms offer beautiful views over the winding Daugava River and is within stumbling distance of the city's liveliest bars and clubs.

But it's the owner's recruitment policy that has everyone talking and indeed blokes would argue that the scenery is even better inside the hostel. Riga seems to produce some of the hottest girls in Eastern Europe and most appear to be on the payroll at Fun Friendly Frank's. Queuing up for reception here is more of a pleasure than a chore — for the horny males at least.

Info: www.franks.lv

Argonaut, Latvia

Frank's big rival in Riga is the popular Argonaut, which is run by a former Australian Army boy with proud Latvian heritage and a penchant for adventure. Owner Dean's mantra is that people should get out of their comfort zone more often and a visit to Argonaut isn't one for those wishing to laze around all day.

As well as boasting its own bobsled — which comes in handy during Riga's snowy winter months — the hostel goes out of its way to arrange all manner of hair-raising activities for its guests, including parachuting, bungy jumping, kayaking and hot-air ballooning. There's another branch of Argonaut at Latvia's hippest beach resort, Liepaja, where the pumping Baltic Beach Party is held every July.

Info: www.argonauthostel.com

Ravnice Hostel, Croatia

Out of all the Australian-influenced hostels, Ravnice could well be the most homely. Hidden away in a fairly bland housing estate, you need to take a rattling tram from Zagreb's central station to get there, but it's worth the extra effort for the hospitality you'll receive here. Ravnice is run by Vera Pesjak, who was born and bred in Croatia's capital but became an Australian citizen while living in Perth in the 1990s.

If you're looking for wild parties, this probably isn't the place for you. But if you're after somewhere to chill out, recuperate and perhaps do some laundry (Vera's family will wash and dry your clothes for a relative pittance), it's perfect, particularly if Croatia's party-packed coast is your next destination.

Info: www.ravnice-youth-hostel.hr

Wombats, Germany and Austria

Wombats' completely non-Australian owners, Sascha Böck and Marcus Praschinger, have a touching story to tell about the naming of their hostel. During a round-the-world trip a few years back they stopped off Down Under and became friendly with a Melburnian who dreamt of opening up a hostel that he would name after his favourite stumpy marsupial.

However, the Australian died tragically in an accident so when Sasha and Marcus decided to go into the hospitality business, they felt Wombats was the perfect dedication to their late friend. Wombats is now regarded as one of the best hostel-with-bar chains in Europe and its sites in Berlin, Munich and Vienna are superb places for boozing it up with fellow travellers.

Info: www.wombats-hostels.com

Aboriginal Hostel, Hungary

Budapest is a city characterised by its sprawling medieval fortress, the mighty Danube River and a glut of Turkish steam baths. But hidden away in one of its many alleys is a place that rather peculiarly promises "an authentic Aboriginal experience".

Although dot paintings pepper the walls of the hostel, alongside images of didgeridoos and boomerangs, some travellers reckon the name is more of a gimmick to lure Australians in. But judging by the antipodean accents of the guests, it seems to work and, like Zagreb's Ravnice Hostel, this is a pleasant place to hang out and relax rather than booze yourself silly.

Info: www.aboriginalhostel.com

The Kosmonaut, Ukraine

Ukraine's second city, Lviv, is just across the border from Poland, but it's yet to become a fixture on the increasingly popular eastern European backpacking route. Yet Aussie Ed Burns expects this to change as word-of-mouth spreads about its gorgeous, but crumbling architecture, and its atmospheric cobblestone streets untroubled by tourist hordes.

The 34-year-old from Melbourne runs the Kosmonaut hostel, which offers a mix of Soviet kitsch (think hanging red star-studded uniforms and framed pictures of Lenin) and Ukrainian hospitality (its staff are all friendly students fluent in English). A highlight of your stay here will be joining Ed for a trip to a traditional banya, where you bathe stark naked and rub shoulders with hairy Ukrainians.

Info: www.thekosmonaut.com

Aussie hostels: embarrassingly daggy or a good laugh? Have your say below:

Related video: Sydney Harbour hostel hijinks