4 Best Hostels in Cairns for Female Solo-Travelers
Written by Nomadic Nina| Last update: Oct 27, 2025
(First-Hand Travel Experience & Price Comparison)
Table of Content: The Perfect Guide to Hostels
Always keep exploring: Find exactly what you're looking for by jumping to your preferred sections.
Cairns is fantastic! It’s the ultimate base camp for adventure in North Queensland. The whole city has a super relaxed, outdoorsy energy—it’s clean, sunny, and centered entirely around the gorgeous Esplanade and the famous saltwater Lagoon (the public pool). It is exceptionally safe for solo women, and everyone you meet is excited to be there, making it super easy to find friends for boat trips!
Cairns has massive hostels that fall into two camps: the intense, 24/7 party hostels and the quieter, tour-focused ones. You want to be close to the Lagoon (the main social hub), but make sure you pick the vibe you actually want—if you want to sleep, avoid the ones that advertise loud bars and massive events.
What can you expect from these Hostels?
We carefully handpicked these hostels based on strict criteria to ensure a safe, comfortable, and welcoming stay for female travelers.
Female-Only Dorms: Each hostel offers at least one dorm exclusively for female solo-travelers, ensuring privacy and a relaxed atmosphere.
High Safety Standards: Safety is our priority. These hostels boast a safety score of 8 or higher, giving you peace of mind throughout your stay.
Exceptional Cleanliness: A cleanliness score of 8 or above ensures these hostels meet high standards of hygiene and comfort.
Outstanding Reviews: Only hostels with an overall rating of 8.5+ made the cut, guaranteeing excellent service,friendly staff, and great vibes.
Female-Friendly Tag: These hostels are recognized for creating a welcoming environment for women traveling solo.
These hostels are perfect for making your trip memorable and stress-free.
Why Trust Our Picks?
At Hostelz, we prioritize your safety and comfort. These hostels are not just top-rated—they are verified through guest reviews and expert insights to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Clean, Fun, Safe: The Best Hostels in Cairns for Female Solo Traveler
Dreamtime Travellers Rest - best for Couples, Female Solo Traveller, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest
For Female Solo-Travelers: The Full List of best Hostels in Cairns
1 Dreamtime Travellers Rest
The #1 Hostel in Cairns! Rating: 9.5
Dorm: from $35.66/night
Private Room: from $61.59/night
Based on our data, Dreamtime Travellers Rest has the cheapest price on Hostelworld.
Dreamtime Travellers Rest is the kind of place that makes solo female travelers feel instantly at ease. It’s quiet, cozy, and full of thoughtful little touches that show the team genuinely cares. No loud parties here—just good sleep, clean spaces, and a laid-back vibe that sets you up perfectly for reef and rainforest adventures. The staff at Dreamtime Travellers Rest have been around the world and know exactly what makes a stay feel special. They’re happy to chat about Cairns, help with tour bookings, and share local tips that go way beyond the guidebooks.
What makes Dreamtime Travellers Rest stand out isn’t just the eco-conscious setup or the Queenslander-style building—it’s the feeling you get when you walk through the gate. There’s a sense of community, warmth, and real connection. Travelers rave about it, and one even got a Dreamtime tattoo. That’s the kind of impact this place has. If you're after a safe, soulful base in Cairns, Dreamtime Travellers Rest delivers.
See all Freebies and Hostel Events at Dreamtime Travellers Rest
Freebies/Included
Bike Rental
Extra Services
Pub Crawls $25
Other Amenities
Common Area
Kitchen
Gameroom
Board Games
Bar
Pool Table
Swimming Pool
Laundry
Not Offered
Breakfast
Coming soon: We all love social hostels! We are currently working on showing you all the events and activities at Dreamtime Travellers Rest.
Add to Hostel wishlist
Add to Hostel Comparison tool
Dreamtime Travellers Rest
2 Little Drifter Cairns
Rating: 8.8
Dorm: from $30.50/night
Private Room: from $93.86/night
Based on our data, Little Drifter Cairns has the cheapest price on Hostelworld.
If you're heading to Cairns solo and want a place that feels more like a retreat than a hostel, Little Drifter Cairns is the one to beat. It’s fresh off a major revamp, and the vibe is all about laid-back luxury without losing that backpacker soul. Think sleek design, cozy corners, and social spaces that actually make you want to hang out. From morning yoga to spontaneous reef trips, it’s got the kind of energy that makes you feel like you’re part of something.
Little Drifter Cairns nails the essentials too—free WiFi, air-con, a shared kitchen, and express check-in so you’re not stuck waiting around. There’s a terrace for lazy afternoons and a lounge that’s perfect for swapping travel stories. The staff are super helpful with tours and local tips, and everything you want to see is just minutes away. For female solo travelers, it’s safe, stylish, and seriously worth checking out.
See all Freebies and Hostel Events at Little Drifter Cairns
Extra Services
City Tours
Other Amenities
Common Area
Kitchen
Board Games
Pool Table
Laundry
Coming soon: We all love social hostels! We are currently working on showing you all the events and activities at Little Drifter Cairns.
Add to Hostel wishlist
Add to Hostel Comparison tool
Little Drifter Cairns
3 Mad Monkey Village
Rating: 8.7
Dorm: from $26.97/night
Private Room: from $74.63/night
Based on our data, Mad Monkey Village has the cheapest price on Hostelworld.
Cairns is hot, but Mad Monkey Village knows how to keep things cool. Think tropical pool dips after a day chasing waterfalls, Netflix marathons in the TV room, and air-conditioned rooms that actually work. Solo female travelers will feel right at home here—it’s clean, social, and just the right amount of chill. You’ll meet people without the party chaos, and there’s always someone around to swap stories or join you for a reef trip.
Mad Monkey Village is all about laid-back vibes and real connections. Cook up something tasty in the modern kitchen, bring your own drinks, and settle in for a night of laughs with new friends. Female dorms and private doubles are available, with fresh linen, comfy beds, and power sockets at every bunk. Private rooms come with towels, or you can grab one at reception. It’s safe, friendly, and feels like the kind of place you’ll want to stay longer than planned.
See all Freebies and Hostel Events at Mad Monkey Village
Freebies/Included
City Tours
Pub Crawls
Other Amenities
Common Area
Kitchen
Gameroom
Board Games
Pool Table
Swimming Pool
Laundry
Not Offered
Breakfast
Coming soon: We all love social hostels! We are currently working on showing you all the events and activities at Mad Monkey Village.
Add to Hostel wishlist
Add to Hostel Comparison tool
Mad Monkey Village
4 Mumma's Hostel
Rating: 8.6
Dorm: from $23.28/night
Private Room: from $67.87/night
Based on our data, Mumma's Hostel has the cheapest price on Hostelworld.
Mumma's Hostel is the kind of place that makes solo travel feel easy. It’s quiet, clean, and refreshingly low-key—ideal for recharging after a day of reef tours or rainforest hikes. There’s a pool to dip into, a garden to chill in, and a BBQ area that brings people together without the party chaos. The shared lounge is a cozy spot to swap stories or just kick back with a book.
Inside, Mumma's Hostel keeps things comfy and thoughtful. Each bed comes with its own privacy curtain, power outlet, and reading light—perfect for winding down. Air conditioning and free WiFi keep things cool and connected, while free breakfast sets the tone for the day. If you’re up for a bit of fun, there’s billiards and table tennis too. For female solo travelers, it’s a safe, social space that feels more like a home than a hostel.
See all Freebies and Hostel Events at Mumma's Hostel
Freebies/Included
Breakfast
Extra Services
City Tours
Other Amenities
Common Area
Kitchen
Gameroom
Board Games
Pool Table
Swimming Pool
Darts
Table Tennis
Laundry
Evening Entertainment
Coming soon: We all love social hostels! We are currently working on showing you all the events and activities at Mumma's Hostel.
Add to Hostel wishlist
Add to Hostel Comparison tool
Mumma's Hostel
Map for 4 Best Hostels in Cairns for Female Solo-Travelers
We've got your back when it comes to finding a great hostel location in Cairns. We've gone ahead and mapped out all the hostels for you so you can get a good idea of where they're all at. This map will make your life so much easier!
Welcome to Hostelz.com, your reliable gateway to finding the best prices for hostels worldwide! Our platform allows you to compare prices from major booking portals, saving you valuable time and money in the process.
Rest assured, there are no hidden costs or fees - our services are completely free for you to use. We take pride in maintaining transparent and unbiased pricing information, and we never manipulate prices or rates.
So go ahead and start comparing prices and availability for all hostels in Cairns with us!
Looking for hostels in a special neighborhood or near a popular landmark? Check out our special guides:
Hostelz.com is the world's most comprehensive hostel-focused travel platform. We bring together listings from all the major booking sites to help you easily compare prices, see real guest reviews, and find the best deals—no matter where you're headed. Check out our How It Works page.
Not sure which hostel to pick? Use our Hostel Comparizon Tool to compare your favorite hostels side-by-side before you book.
I'm Nomadic Nina, a curious and adventurous traveler who has spent most of my life exploring the world. From the deserts of Africa to the jungles of South America, I've traveled to dozens of countries on multiple continents, immersing myself in local cultures and learning about the world firsthand. Through my travels, I've gained a deep appreciation for the diversity and richness of the world's cultures, and I'm passionate about sharing my experiences with others through my travel blog.
Compare Hostel Prices Instantly!
You are Overpaying for Hostels - that Stops now!
Platforms like Hostelworld and Booking.com often have different prices for the SAME room. Even availability can vary depending on the site. 😱
That's where Hostelz steps in. We are the ultimate price comparison tool for hostels. Save up to 23% on your next booking.
Exchange your skills for free accommodation and dive into local cultures with Worldpackers. How to find Volunteering Jobs and Travel the World? Our step-by-step guide.