Parkview Backpackers Hostel

you'll be proud to know that Parkview Caught fire and watching it was probably the best thing ever! The flames were so high and they needed about thirty firefighters -- from 12:30 till 3:30 this morning, and it was brilliant! Poor people who own it now -- as it was bought from ross and warren.

Parkview was awesome. It was truly a memorable experience -- one i still recount to this day.

My stomach churns at having to assign a whole star's rating of this backpackers. Yes it was weird and creepy, and perhaps I can justify the star with the feeling of relief and appreciation one feels when leaving. My husband and I arrived at the airport, not having any accommodation booked. After trying out a variety of other options, we gave Parkview a call to be told that we must book a minimum of two nights' stay, and they would pick us up "free." Well they were cheap, I'll give them that, but it was not worth it in my opinion. Ross and Warren (the brothers, although I suspected possible lovers?) and the strange little lady who shuffles around aimlessly have created a very organised system which allows very little possibility for escape from their tyrannical clutches. Ross provided us with some helpful suggestions regarding a reef trip, and arranged this for us. However, when we decided to not take up his offer of an arranged car rental, it felt as if the deal turned especially sour, and they could not get rid of us sooner. On a practical level, the backpackers is riddled with rules of all description telling everyone what they can't do. Further, the backpackers was filthy -- sheets look as if they have been given a brief iron rather than seen any water and washing powder, and the kitchen and toilets are revolting. I would strongly recommend anyone seeking accommodation in Cairns to avoid this establishment!

they kicked us out in the middle of the night at one a.m.. just because we drunk a glass of wine in our room after ten p.m. and this quietly. after a big fight they even called the police. they left two girls in the middle of the night without any accommodation alone on the street.

They picked me up from the greyhound. I didn't know which hostel to choose, so they sounded quite good and cheap and seemed to offer a lot on their flyer. But the reality was different. These two weird guys and their old mum (psycho lady is a good expression for that weird woman, who's always coming into your room and checking out) were very unfriendly, gave a lot of wrong information. I was almost kicked out of the hostel, because I was sitting in my friend's room playing cards and chattering. One of the guys came into the room and was screaming at us, that we felt like little children.This place was really sh*t and is not to recommend. I'm wondering that they belong to the VIP Group.

This place is a dump, but the thing is it wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't run by a pack of lunatic bastards (including the old psycho lady). I think their whole scam is that they book you in for extra days using various reasons e.g. "our price is going up so you better book in now to get it at the cheap price" which is what we did. Then after this he treats you like sh*t so you either leave or he kicks you out and then he gets to make double the money. I cannot describe the utter disgust I feel for this family! I had the man screaming within two centimeter of my face for letting my friends (who were staying in another room) come into my room. Every other person staying in the hostel was in the same circumstance and we all sat round swapping horror stories. They lurk in the bushes and are weird incest freaks, I felt like I was in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre the creepiest thing he did (me being a female) was when I arrived home at three a.m. after being out he followed me to my room then to the bathroom and waited outside while I went to the toilet and brushed my teeth then followed me back to my room -- creepy. We also had a huge screaming match with him on the day of check out he actually scared the crap out of me, he pushed my female friend so her boyfriend told him to "Go suck your brothers c**k and f**k your mother" we called the police on them (who by the way hate these men) but were unfortunately unable to press charges as none of us actually witnessed him push her. Too much more to say just never stay here. I hope that family burns in hell!

If I could rate this dump with less than one star, I would. I was forced to pay for three nights in advance. My dreadful story starts with the fact that I had decided to move to another hostel (like everyone else in that sh*thole). The problem was that I had to go on a reef trip that morning so I left at 7:30. The night before I asked if I could store my bags until I return back from the trip. He said that he won't store my stuff and that I have to go and store in public lockers in town (the brochure says free storage). After fifteen minutes of lectures he agreed to store the bags for $5. I said that I will do it in the morning. I went back to my room and spoke with fellow inmate roomies, and they offered me to leave the bags in the room. I thought that was great. So thats what I did. When I came back from the trip, I entered the hostel met my friends and they gave me my bags, I left. I waited outside for my ride to the other hostel. Two seconds later the worker chased me and said: "Apparently we have a security camera and we caught you with your backpack leaving the hostel." I told him that my friends let me leave my stuff in the room. He accused of breaking the law. Yeah, stealing my own bag. He made up a law about "too many bags in one room is illegal." The other worker came to to join the fiasco ands they both screamed at me like there was no tomorrow. My ride finally arrived and they chased after the car and threatened to phone my new hostel and tell them about my criminal antics. "You won't get away with this" they shouted. They actually did phone my new hostel, but the manager just laughed at them because he was used to their sh*t. Someone must phone the social service to get that Mother/grandmother out of that hell hole!

Really really bad! I wish I would have read this posting. I really couldn't believe that this place was allowed to be called a hostel. These two brothers are completely negative, gave incorrect and outdated information about the area stating that it was a bad idea to go out on the reef that day and it was a bad idea to rent a car the day that I did -- both turned out to be the best options I experienced in Cairns. The lecture that I received from brother number two about the state of American affairs would have made you think he was a diplomat, but honestly, these guys are losers. The most obvious point to turn around was the dilapidated area, the way brother number one was cajoling visitors for their fifteen bucks every time they saw you and of course the pure oddity that it was that these forty-something year old guys are still living together with their mum.

Why is this hostel advertised at the airport and why was it allowed to reopen? I arrived tired and late at the airport and after ringing several, found a place at Parkview. I had a long sleep and did laundry next day, and a day on the reef the day after. It slowly dawned on me that it was a gem - I really could not have found a more dismal place in outer Transylvania. Laziness, day outings, and the cheap price induced me to stay four days, plus the curiousity value. But the people running it are what they are -- I consider the Queensland tourist authorities to be negligent and ineffective -- they need to get their act together. I am a grizzled old backpacker but youngsters should be protected from this.

Thank God they realised they are not cut out for the tourism business. brothers if your reading this you should turn to something that doesnt involve contact with the human race... i dont like to be horrible to anyone but you guys are either super stressed and/or should be put in a nut house... thanks for the update... its good to know it wont be ruining anyone elses fun cuz it has ruined enough peoples time p.s. one star doesnt even come into play here

THE WORST HOSTEL I EVER STAYED IN!!!!!

I won't share my story becuase it is exactly the same as all the others but just so you all know as I left Cairns about 2 weeks ago I drove past and say a large for sale sign on the wall, all the bad reviews must have caught up, it's about time.

This is by far the biggest sh*t dump I have ever stayed in!!! Why didn't I check this site first? First of all, the place closes down around 10 p.m..... No more lights, no more TV, no more nothing!!! Some of the glass in the windows is gone, and imagine my surprise when I woke up early this morning and could hear something rummaging beneath my bed. I looked down and found a big ass RAT!!! When I reported this to the freaky brothers in the reception, they just said that it was to be expected in Cairns and that they didn't intend to do anything about it!!! I of course couldn't get a refund on my remaining nights!!! Stay away from this hostel. They should all be sent to prison!!! Freaky people!!!

I recently stayed there — actually I just checked out. The cleanliness of the place left a lot to be desired but the brothers seemed friendly enough to me. I pretty much kept to myself and didn't bring anyone back to the hostel.

What can I say but I was so glad to see this Web site. I'll start from the beginning. We had just been working at Tully and caught the bus to Cairns with nowhere booked. Like some of you others I was offered a bed for me and my 5 friends for $14 each with a free meal. What a bargain!!! WRONG. The guys that run this place are mad. For starters they booked a tour for me without me asking, then demanded payment. I said no, so I'm instantly a "troublemaker." I went out for the first night only to be confronted when I got back by the brothers telling me they have had 20 complaints about my noise opening the gate. To be fair, I had had a drink but 20 people? I think not. Night 2 I was out again and came back with my friend and was really quiet. No sign of the brothers so I grab my speakers from our room and head for the garden to have a drink and listen to a bit of music quietly. My friend took 2 cups from the kitchen only to be confronted by the psycho brother saying he was breaking and entering and kicked him out on the spot at 4 in the morning. How nice, and not even the key deposit back to help him afford another room. I then get shouted at for walking into people's rooms waking them up, which never happened and I am on probation. Oh well. The next day I get told by my other friends he was giving them grief all night about being too noisy and saying they could not roll cigarettes in their room, not like they paid for the room or anything. Night 3 I was out again but came back early and decided to have a little walk around to see how freaky the brothers Grimm are. I spot them watching me in the bushes and creeping round following me until I get confronted and told to go to my room. I tell him I can't sleep so he lets me walk round a bit more. I decide to sit outside my room when 2 minutes later his huge nose pops round the corner not realizing I was there, notices me and just stares at me for about 5 minutes, weirdo. Next day I decide enough is enough so go to check out. AFTER I had my deposit I asked him why after travelling over 10 countries through Asia and all of Australia his is the only place I get followed when I come home. I then have to listen to 5 minutes about how he once caught a guy taking a sh*t in a chair in someone else's room. I ask what that has to do with me then he lost the plot, saying I was selfish and self-centered, was a scummy backpacker and he called me garbage. Unsurprisingly he asked me to leave, which I did. I moved to another hostel, where he has just phoned and told them not to let me or my friend stay. Anyway, we book in when he turns up in the scum bus and starts shouting that we pissed all over the beds and have to pay him $30 or he's going to call the police. Another massive argument and unfortunately he leaves with $30 and tells us he has friends EVERYWHERE and to watch our backs because we will never be safe. AS IF. The guy's only friends are his retarded brother and coffin-dodging mum. IF you got to the bottom of this I bet you can already guess: DON'T STAY HERE. And for anyone who already has stayed, good news, Hellview will not pass Queensland's new fire laws and will be shut as of 1st July 2005, meaning the Addams family will have no home, business or money. God bless Karma...