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JJ's Backpackers Hostel

Cairns (Cairns North), Queensland, Australia

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Address
11 Charles Street, Cairns (Cairns North)   Map
Price
From $22.00 per night Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Free Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
  • Gameroom
  • Lounge / Common space
  • Swimming Pool
  • BBQ
  • TV
  • Movie Library/Rental
  • Book Collection/Exchange
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Travel information provided
  • Bike Rental
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Air Conditioning
 
The Hostelz.com Review
JJ's Backpackers is one of the best values for money in a town full of backpackers hostels. If you come by coach or plane, a courtesy bus will pick you up at your arrival. You will find a clean and friendly environment, huge BBQ (this happens once a week and they charge a few dollars), and games around the pool. JJ's is not far from the city centre, allow a twenty-minute walk along the Esplanade. They offer a shuttle service during the day and the evening until 9:35 p.m. if you don't feel like walking. The same shuttle will drop you at night in front of the Woolshed, a pub in town where you can have a free dinner (they serve things like pasta and chili con carne) that you can also upgrade for a few extra dollars. A free breakfast is available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Coffee and tea are also available for free all day long.

JJ's Backpackers has two buildings with two fully equipped kitchens. The bedrooms have fans, some have air conditioning. The bathrooms and the other communal areas are quite clean. There are laundry facilities, a BBQ, a board with job offers, a swimming pool, and a pool table.

The owners are very helpful -- they even remember your name, which is pleasant. You may also book tours or rent a car with them for good rates. Backpackers also work at the hostel, but you should not expect the same efficiency with them. The atmosphere is very relaxed and it is easy to meet nice people there, especially on the BBQ night. Definitely a good hostel!

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Helen & Sion, Wales
January 2008
Friendly staff
Not a bad hostel, rooms ample size. However one complaint no air con in our room just a fan, which didn't make much difference to the temperature. Bunkbeds a bit on the low side so couldn't sit on the bottom bunk. BBQ night was cool and staff friendly. Transport into town good.
Comment by Cindy, USA
April 2007
It was nice. The only complaint that I really have is that when my friend and I came back from an overnight reef trip, we were split into separate rooms and were told it would be only for the night. The excuse was that these other people paid in full, which is what we did when we first arrived. We were going on another trip the next day and the office was closed when we left. By the time we got back they again said that all of the rooms were full and that my friend and I would have to stay in the current rooms we were at. Our roommates were nice and the people were fun there. This incident didn't make me too happy though.
Comment by Scouse Chris
March 2007
Stayed at this hostel for a week, and two nights in the car park, hotel is basic, but clean and very cheap for what you get. the free evening meal in the wool pack is enough to keep you going if you're skint. Staff were very friendly and someone always seemed to be on hand to help. It is a bit of a hike back from the centre of town if you go on the piss, but gives you time for a chat!
Comment by Simon B, Scotland
December 2006
Hostel was fantastic. We met so many amazing people here and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I ended staying for a few months last year between july 05 and August 05 and i had a wicked time! Rooms were clean, food was excellent, and free bus was a godsend!
Comment by Yoz
September 2006
Wicked little hostel. Clean, friendly staff, free breky free dinner, free bus into and out of town. Only slight downside is if you walk back from town its about a 10min walk, but its all good exercise :-) Def one of best hostels ive stayed in.
Comment by aikibujin
June 2006
Small, quiet, inexpensive, and fairly clean. The staff is friendly and layback. but maybe a little too layback. If you need something done (like, getting a ride to the airport, need new linen), you really need to be right at their heels, otherwise they will forget. It's a bit far from the center of Cairns, so if you stay out late at night, it's a pretty long walk back.
Comment by Tim - Nz
March 2006
I stayed at jj's for a couple of months it was pretty choice staff are friendly and they allways have really hot chicks stay there.
Comment by Anon.
September 2005
The double rooms are decent, and the toilets/showers are clean. It does get a bit hot sometimes, but we survived without air-conditioning. The kitchen is good, and there is a lounge area with TV, but the drinks machine was broken when we stayed there. There is a pool, table tennis, washing machines, and an area with lines to hang up your clothes, which is locked at night, so you don't have to worry about the theft of garments. There is lots of information about trips and tours, and the staff are very helpful and friendly. They even accommodated an extra person for a night with a mattress for free!
Comment by Paul
July 2005
The place was really average. The double room was really dodgy and it seems poor in comparison to some of the nicer hostels in the area.
Comment by Rachel
June 2005
JJ's was a decent hostel for location, free food and meeting great people. Its only downfall is the OWNER, who is there all the time. Girls beware, he is a pervert, Mr. Touchy-Feely, and no one liked him, not his staff or anyone who was staying there. So if you do decide to stay here try to avoid that guy as much as possible. He is a jerk. You will know who I'm talking about when you meet him. He has an undeniably creepy vibe.
Comment by Steve
May 2005
I have yet again visited JJ's as I have done three times over 18 months. The atmosphere is just what you make it, from party time to relaxing by pool. It just saves you money with the breakfast, tours, barbecue night, and most importantly, the courtesy bus. These are not just my comments but those of fellow travelers. Thanks and keep it up guys!
Comment by Clairey Bear
March 2005
Well what can I say, there is only one place to stay in Cairns and that is with the JJ's gang!! I spent Christmas with the gang and had the time of my life. Tracy and Simon made my holiday a trip of a lifetime!! JJ's is a slice of paradise and is a must for anyone wanting to backpack in Cairns. I will be going back ASAP.
Comment by Elaine
February 2005
The staff were excellent, offering us great trip advice. The buffet once a week was very much worth the $5 AUS you had to pay. The washrooms were cleaned at least once every two to three days, so no need to worry about cleanliness at the hostel. The only thing lacking is air-conditioning.
Comment by Shaun and Abby
January 2005
It's nice to see that the color we chose and painted is still looking fabulous!! We both worked here, too, under Big Kev and Marcus, and it was the best hostel to work in and meet wicked people. We recommend this hostel to everyone and anyone, as you'll feel so welcome. Roll on, JJ's, forever, and roll on the free barbecue. It's the best. We miss it so much!!!
Comment by Mark
January 2005
Great hostel. Tracy, Simon and Iris cannot do enough to help you. They gave advice on all my trips and booked them for me — and all were brilliant. I had no problems with noise the week that I was there. It was a fantastic week, and I would definitely go back if I were in Cairns again.
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

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