Cairns City Backpackers

Cairns City Backpackers may just be the best hostel you'll ever stay at. The owners of the property were travelers themselves, and it is completely obvious that they really care. In addition to just running the operation, they are a licensed tour booker too, and will go out of their way to find you something great to do, with a price guarantee. The owner even assisted us in renting a camper van for a thirty-five-day trip down the East coast of Australia, which was not an easy task.

There is free airport pickup with certain conditions. Alternatively, you can find the hostel on Draper Street, directly behind the Cairns City Shopping Centre. You can park out front of the hostel for free. It is about a ten-minute walk to the city centre, and right behind a major shopping centre complete with a movie theatre. Walk inside the front door and you'll see the main reception and tour desk.

The hostel is split into two buildings, with a small annex at the back. Guest rooms are divided amongst the three buildings. You'll find either dorm-style or private rooms. Some rooms have private showers inside them. There are lots of toilets and showers around, so queuing is minimal, and you'll find space to put your belongings while showering. Cleaning is frequent and thorough, and all bathrooms are well stocked. Beds are comfortable, and linens are included. Towels are included in the private rooms. You can hire air conditioning for a per-day fee -- each room is equipped with AC. There are no lockers in the rooms, but there is a central bank of lockers near reception that can be hired for twelve- or twenty-four-hour intervals. They are big enough to fit a backpack.

There are numerous common areas. Internet lounge and a book exchange are in the building next to reception. In the same building, you'll find two well stocked kitchens, a nice big dining area, and a large outdoor space with couches, a pool table, and a TV is right out back. Just behind a small gate there is a swimming pool with hammocks.

In addition to hanging out at the hostel, Cairns City Backpackers have worked out a deal with a local pub. Just for buying a bed at their hostel, you'll get a voucher good for a free small meal at the bar, with the option to upgrade to any main meal for half the menu price. There is a free shuttle there twice each evening. The pub plays host to several different hostels in town, so there are plenty of people to meet, and the bar goes off each and every night with one of the best parties in town.

You would be hard-pressed to find a better place to stay than Cairns City Backpackers. The level of service from the owners and staff is something you'd expect to find at an expensive hotel, not a backpacker's hostel. The facilities are second to none, and the value is excellent. Don't waste your time staying anywhere else while in Cairns.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review