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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
2 Jan - 4 Jan
In two weeks
9 Jan - 11 Jan
In one month
23 Jan - 25 Jan
In two months
20 Feb - 22 Feb

Our top choices for Tropical North Waterfront hostels

Outdoor pool
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (436)
"Great cheap place to stay"
United Kingdom
sarah
The price is AU$207
includes taxes & fees
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Outdoor pool
YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (210)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is AU$90
includes taxes & fees
25 Dec - 26 Dec
YHA Cairns Central
Terrace/patio
Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (182)
"Absolutely lovely environment"
United States
James
The price is AU$150
includes taxes & fees
28 Dec - 29 Dec
Little Drifter Cairns
Free WiFi, bed sheets
The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (84)
"Peaceful and easy with the added bonus of international aromas "
Australia
Timothy
The price is AU$141
includes taxes & fees
13 Jan - 14 Jan 2026
The Espy Hostel
Exterior
Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (147)
"So convenient, over the road from Muddies for play area and food, as well as walking. Cafe next door also excellent. Did not use shared kitchen but very well stocked with needs for future stays."
Australia
Rani
The price is AU$115
includes taxes & fees
25 Dec - 26 Dec
Caravella Backpackers
Exterior
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
7.6 out of 10, Good, (100)
"Property was very convenient for central Cairns. It was quiet and quaint, and very cosy."
Australia
David
The price is AU$182
includes taxes & fees
28 Dec - 29 Dec
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Top Tropical North Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Pullman Cairns International

Pullman Cairns International

10/10 Excellent
"It was amaging stay, thank you so much!"
Riho 2-night trip
Posted 2 days ago
Pullman Cairns International

Find out more about Tropical North Waterfront

Tropical North Waterfront Hostels information

Number of reviews
1,156
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
AU$90
Highest Price
AU$207

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Tropical North Waterfront?
By choosing a hostel, you can cut your spending on accommodations and set aside more of your trip funds for fun things to do during your trip.
What is a hostel?
No two hostels look identical, but these dorm-style accommodations all have shared rooms (though many hostels also have private rooms), budget prices and a social environment.
What are the best hostels in Tropical North Waterfront?
Ready to book a hostel in town? These ones get the highest reviews from our travellers and could be a good place to look first: YHA Cairns Central - Close to public transport, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Station. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Little Drifter Cairns - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, tour/ticket assistance and laundry facilities. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Property features include free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. 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. Nomads Esplanade - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with showers.
How many hostels are there in Tropical North Waterfront?
If you're hoping to find somewhere affordable to stay in Tropical North Waterfront, one of Expedia's 7 hostels could be a great choice.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Tropical North Waterfront?
Good weather's definitely a plus when you want to venture out and explore, so here's some information that may be helpful: The hottest months are usually December and January, 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 Tropical North Waterfront are January, February, March and December, with each month seeing an average of 270 mm of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Tropical North Waterfront?
Get out into nature with places such as Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Teach and Michaelmas Cay. Cultural attractions include Cairns Performing Arts Centre, The Cairns Museum and Cairns Historical Society Museum. Locals like to shop at Cairns Night Markets and Cairns Central Shopping Centre.
What's the best way to get to and around Tropical North Waterfront while staying at a hostel?
Keep this information about transit options in Tropical North Waterfront in your back pocket to make the most of your stay: You can search for flights to the closest airport, which is Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.), 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from the city centre.

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