Search Cairns Hostels

By staying at a hostel, you can spend less on lodging and set aside more of your budget for exploring during your holiday. We’ve heard good things about this destination’s natural setting, including its coral reefs and rainforests.

These dorm-style accommodations come in many shapes and sizes, but all of them have a few qualities in common, including budget-friendly prices, a social atmosphere and shared rooms (though many hostels offer private room options too).

Based on reviews from our guests, these hostels in Cairns have the best ratings: The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool, as well as tour/ticket assistance. You’ll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. YHA Cairns Central - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. You’ll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Property features include free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Caravella Backpackers - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Property features include free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. You’ll find towels, showers and TVs in all rooms. Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and free parking, as well as an outdoor pool. Rooms come with towels, showers and bed sheets.

If you’re in the market for somewhere affordable to stay in Cairns, one of Expedia’s 17 hostels could be a great option for you.

Good weather’s always better when you’re discovering new places, so here are some stats about the seasons: The hottest months are usually January and February, with an average temperature of 27°C, while the coldest months are August and July, with an average of 21°C. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March and December, with each month seeing an average of 281 mm of rainfall.

Overall, Cairns is known for its coral reefs, rainforest and local tours. Get out into nature with places such as Esplanade Lagoon, Muddy’s Playground and Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland. Cultural attractions include Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum and The Cairns Museum. Locals like to shop at Cairns Night Markets and Cairns Central Shopping Centre.

Keep this information about transit options in Cairns on hand to make the most of your stay: You can fly into the nearest airport, which is Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.), located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away from the city centre. Once you’re on the ground, you might want to use public transport during your trip. To check out more of the area, take a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station or Redlynch Station.