Backpacker Hostels in Cairns, Australia

24 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $11.00 for a dorm bed.

Hostels in Cairns

Travellers Oasis

Parramatta Park
Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Upon check in they gave you a small map of the area and pointed out places that travelers usually find useful. Wasn't a party hostel but still had good vibes and encouraged you to meet and … More
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…FREE stuff included in EVERY booking: Pasta, rice, cereal, 8 herbs & spices, soy sauce, cooking oil, hot chocolate, tea, sugar, tin foil, cling film and drying racks for your convenience! We … More

Travellers Paradise

Parramatta Park
Digital Nomads Family-Friendly Hostel Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Met some interesting fellow travelers and had a great last night with them around the pool and BBQ. I will be moving back through Cairns in six months and have already booked to stay here again. … More
Couples Female Solo Traveller Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest
"…In my opinion one of the best places to stay. Pretty, relaxed place, nice staff - Dreamtime was exactly what we were looking for -- a small, very pretty, cozy and homelike hostel, close to the … More
Female Solo Traveller Solo Traveller
"…Bedrooms do not contain lockers, which does not mix well with the hostel's prison feel. Common Spaces The hostel’s interior looks like a prison block, which seems to reflect the general feel … More

Cairns Central YHA Hostel

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Family-Friendly Hostel Groups (10+ people) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Everything -- the room, the bathroom, and the kitchen -- was kept really clean. Clean hostel (as all YHAs I've stayed in are). Great pool and Jacuzzi. Decent enough location. The staff were so … More

Bounce Cairns

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel
"…This calm hostel features a pool and a huge common area. We got a double room so we cannot judge dorms. Our room was clean, well-organized, and quiet (facing the pool). Maybe rooms next to common … More
Digital Nomads Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…But it was all a really good stay. - Cairns Waterfront Backpackers is not really the best hostel in the area, but it is not a dry hostel, which means that you can bring your own alcohol -- which … More

The Village

Cairns CBD
Couples Female Solo Traveller
"Our luxe hostel has been freshly refurbished (June 2019) and offers traditional dorm style accommodation and modern hotel rooms. The Village Cairns Hostel is located on the main strip of Cairns … More

Mad Monkey Village

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…I'd strongly recommend this hostel to anyone! Fantastic! - If you want to stay in a clean and friendly hostel with a vibrant atmosphere I would recommend Njoy! Welcoming, friendly, funtastic! - … More

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"At Mad Monkey Waterfront we offer an affordable and clean accommodation in the heart of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Being located on the Cairns Esplanade with the Cairns Lagoon … More

Summer House Backpackers

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel
"…- 1.5% surcharge on all card payments (No Amex accepted) - Breakfast included in price. - 24 hour reception We only accept guests over 18 years presenting a valid photo ID" …"Summer House … More
Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…I highly recommend this place to stay. Excellent hostel and I recommend it widely. - This is the best hostel where I have stayed. The staff was very kindly, they made me feel in home and they … More
Adventure Hostels Digital Nomads Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…The bar is wicked with happy hours and games most nites. lovely pool and just a lovely place to stay.You can even treat yourself at the beatuy therpy place called Seksi or use the free gym. I … More

Mumma's Hostel

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller
"…Check-in is after 2pm Check-out is before 10am Mumma’s Hostel Cairns | Where Mates Become Family ♥ Mumma's Cairns Facilities - Free Wifi Free - Free 8 ball - Female Only Dorms - … More

Mad Monkey Central

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"At Mad Monkey Central we offer comfortable and clean facilities for backpackers in a great central location in Cairns! Treat yourselves to a daily Free Hot Breakfast in the mornings & budget priced … More
Adventure Hostels Beach Lovers Retreat Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…Staff was very friendly, and other guests were respectful. Free dinner was a good money saver too. this hostel is wicked. it has a really good location on the esplanade so its not too noisy. the … More
Party Hostel Solo Traveller
"…This place is not bad for the price (it's far cheaper than other hostels). It's not the nicest of places but at least it has a lively bar and beer garden. Most of the dorms are large, and the beds … More

Geckos Backpackers

Parramatta Park
Family-Friendly Hostel
187 Bunda Street ... More

Bohemia Resort

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel
"…Bottleshop only a 5 min walk as well. The only downside was the staff, they were realy quite rude and had little patience. Also there wasn't enough of them, there was always a huge queue in … More

Backpacker Hostels in Cairns, Australia

24 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $22.00 for a dorm bed.
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Neighborhoods in Cairns

Looking for a specific district? Here you go:

Get to know Cairns (no more "I wish I knew this before")

This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Cairns.

 Get to know Cairns (no more

Cairns is a city in the northeastern part of Australia (Far North Queensland), with a population of approximately 140,000 people. Cairns is known to be a very touristy city geared toward Japanese tourists (some shop signs are in both English and Japanese).

Cairns hostels are known to backpackers as there are many interesting things to do in the area. The budget traveler should expect to pay 20 dollars and upwards for a dorm room and the hostels are of good value. There are often deals for multiple days too. If you plan to stick around for longer, they can save you some money and are worth checking out. Many Cairns hostels also employ travelers temporarily, if you want to save money or gather some more cash if you still have more traveling to do, this may help you get you on your way.

The activities near Cairns hostels are abundant. There is an artificial lagoon that is a good place to spend a day just enjoying the sun (the days can be scorching hot in the summertime), and there is plenty of good shopping to do in the city.

Many travel agencies, which are often situated really close to the hostels, also offer extreme sport activities packages which you might find interesting. Skydiving is one of the things many people do in Cairns and the surrounding areas, especially on Mission Beach, where you can actually dive and land on the beach. The altitudes range from 9000ft upwards and the prices start at about 229AUD; check the travel agencies for more specific details.

All in all, Cairns hostels are a great way to visit this city which also serves as a good connecting point both for flights, and for some east coast buses, which are a good and reasonably priced way to travel around and make new friends.

Written by local enthusiast for Cairns hostels

Written by local enthusiast for Cairns hostels Miika

Cairns Hostel Cheatsheet

Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Cairns, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels 24
Average dorm price $32
Average private room price $95
Cheapest hostel in Cairns The Jack Backpackers with $22
Party hostels in Cairns Wanna Stay? (7 in total)
Most Cairns hostels are located in Cairns CBD, Cairns North, Parramatta Park
Average rating of all hostels 8.1

FAQ about Cairns Hostels

We've collected the most common questions for hostels in Cairns. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?

Find your Perfect Hostel Match

We've created more special guides for you:

Family Hostels in Cairns

Youth Hostels in Cairns

10 Hostels in Cairns with Private Rooms

10 Hostels in Cairns with Private Rooms

7 Best Hostels in Cairns

7 Best Hostels in Cairns

13 Cheapest Hostels in Cairns

13 Cheapest Hostels in Cairns

5 Party Hostels in Cairns

5 Party Hostels in Cairns

7 Youth Hostels in Cairns

7 Youth Hostels in Cairns

Other Nearby Cities

Palm Cove (22 Km / 14 mi.)
Yungaburra (43 Km / 27 mi.)
Atherton (49 Km / 31 mi.)
Port Douglas (58 Km / 36 mi.)
Innisfail (72 Km / 45 mi.)
Cape Tribulation (99 Km / 61 mi.)
Mission Beach (111 Km / 69 mi.)

Travel Tips for Cairns - from the Community

Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Cairns. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Cairns. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!

Cairns comments only. Don't discuss the hostels here, post a review on the hostel's page instead.

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