Couch surfing.

I'd heard of couch surfing before within my first few weeks of being in Australia I met a German girl called Mara who was staying with a family, woofing, that were working on Andreas back garden.  She had only ever couch surfed for accomodation unless she had no other choice but to stay in a hostel. Most of her experiences were good ones, some hosts are strange but innocent enough and sometimes you do feel awkward but other times you meet great people and have a totally different experience than you would if you stayed in a hostel. Sometimes it's also a great way to meet the locals who are able to tell you about places to go in the area of the beaten track, or places tourists don't know about. Although It wasn't couch surfing, but for example, If I had never stayed with Andrea that month I would never have taken the time to watch a rugby match, well Australia football, and I would never have realised how much I loved it. I was told all bout state of origin and now I love it. You wouldn't get that enthusiasm for aussy rugby if you stayed in a hostel.  

Maras worst experience was with some guy in surfers paradise who had an apartment that was pretty well off. A couple of backpackers were already there so she contacted the guy who was on a night out and said she was going to chill for the night. He wasn't having any of it and when she said she didn't have anything to wear he said there were heels and dresses in the wardrobes. Apparently the nicest heels shed ever worn. Designer too. Ok - so... Strange at this point the guy has all this. Anyway, there out with the guy who isn't the best looking and turns out he's a bit of a creep. Surprise surprise. Anyway I can't really say much more than that but if that's the worst experience then it can't be that bad. You hear about these horror stories where girls are raped or the couch surfer knocks on the door and the host automatically expects sex like staying isnt for free - which is what every realist immediately thinks of when they think of couch surfing anyways.... But I think the chances of that happening are exactly the same is if you were to do absolutely anything on your own, walking down an alley way, through the woods on a quiet day etc... There is always a slim chance that you are in danger no matter what you do. 

The couch surfing websight, when you click on a host you are able to check out reviews backpackers have put about the host and rated that host. It's usually standard procedure to also meet up with the host, in a busy restaurant or cafe, before you stay but it can sometimes be inconvenient at the time to either you or the host so you just have to go with your gut instinct.