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YHA Cairns Central

2.0 star property
Hostel with an outdoor pool, 10-minute walk to Cairns Esplanade

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for YHA Cairns Central

Outdoor pool
Property entrance
Garden
Twin Room with Ensuite | View from room
Shared kitchen

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pool
  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View in a map
20-26 McLeod Street, Cairns, QLD, 4870
  • Place, Cairns Central Shopping Centre
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Cairns Night Markets
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Cairns Esplanade
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Bed In 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 6 Share Male Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6 Share Male Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 6 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed in 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

View from room

Bed in 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Double Room, Shared Bathroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Queen Room with Ensuite

Queen Room with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Room with Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Double Plus Two with Ensuite

Double Plus Two with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Plus Two with Ensuite

  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Bed In 10 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 10 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 4 Share Female Dormitory With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 4 Share Female Dormitory With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 4 Share Male Dormitory With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 4 Share Male Dormitory With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Twin Room With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Queen Room With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Room With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Queen and 4 Singles with Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen and 4 Singles with Ensuite

  • Sleeps 6

View all photos for Double Room with Shared Bathroom

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Bed in 10 Share Female Dormitory

View from room

Bed in 10 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Male Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Male Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory with Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory with Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Twin Room with Ensuite

Twin Room with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room with Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Queen Plus Four with Ensuite

Queen Plus Four with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Plus Four with Ensuite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed In 6 Share Female Dormitory With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6 Share Female Dormitory With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 6 Share Mixed Dormitory With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6 Share Mixed Dormitory With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Double And Two Singles With Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double And Two Singles With Ensuite

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Bed In 4 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 4 Share Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

About the neighborhood

Cairns

Located in Cairns Central Business District, YHA Cairns Central is adjacent to Cairns Central Shopping Centre and within a 10-minute stroll of Cairns Esplanade. This 52-room hostel welcomes guests with conveniences like an outdoor pool, free in-room WiFi, and a business center.
View more Hostels in CairnsOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Cairns Night Markets - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Cairns Esplanade - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Esplanade Lagoon - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 4 min walk
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 7 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪T2 Tea - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Gong Cha - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Grand Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪KFC - ‬2 min walk

About this property

YHA Cairns Central

Hostel with an outdoor pool, 10-minute walk to Cairns Esplanade
Guests of YHA Cairns Central enjoy an outdoor pool, free WiFi in public areas, and a business center. Self parking is offered for AUD 5 per day. The front desk has multilingual staff that can help with luggage storage and tours/tickets. Additional amenities include a meeting room, express check-in, and express check-out.
Guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Housekeeping is not available.
Recreational amenities at the hostel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

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Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
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  • Air conditioning
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, 433 reviews
$128 nightly
The price is $142
Nov 27 - Nov 28
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Self parking on site (AUD 5 per day)

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: AUD 12 for adults and AUD 12 for children

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Multilingual staff
  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business center
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • Water dispenser usage encouraged

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Recycling
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately AUD 12 for adults and AUD 12 for children
  • Self parking fee: AUD 5 per day

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-10:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is available during limited hours, and checking in and out are easy with express services. Driving? This property offers parking (fees apply).

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
  • This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

Property is also known as

Cairns Central YHA Hostel
Cairns Central YHA
Cairns Central Yha Backpackers Hotel Cairns
Cairns Central Yha Backpackers Hotel
YHA Cairns Central Cairns
Cairns Central YHA Hostel
YHA Cairns Central Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
YHA Cairns Central Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Is a free cancellation option available at YHA Cairns Central?

YHA Cairns Central offers free cancellation on some room rates. For specific requirements, look at the cancellation policy on our site.

How much does it cost to stay at YHA Cairns Central?

As of Nov 26, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at YHA Cairns Central on Nov 27, 2025 start from $58.24, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What's there to see near YHA Cairns Central?

This hostel is situated in Cairns Central Business District, just steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre, and within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Night Markets. You'll also find Cairns Performing Arts Centre and Esplanade Lagoon less than a mile away.

Is parking available on site at YHA Cairns Central?

Yes, parking is offered for AUD 5 per day.

Does YHA Cairns Central have a casino?

No, YHA Cairns Central doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at YHA Cairns Central?

No, this hostel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool.

What do couples enjoy most about YHA Cairns Central?

Couples staying at this hostel will appreciate amenities like an outdoor pool plus some rooms include kitchens and city views.

Does YHA Cairns Central have a hot tub?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this hostel.

Does YHA Cairns Central have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?

YHA Cairns Central offers continental breakfast each morning for a surcharge though there is no restaurant.

Does YHA Cairns Central allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at YHA Cairns Central.

Are there connecting rooms at YHA Cairns Central?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hostel.

How close is the airport from YHA Cairns Central?

The closest major airport to YHA Cairns Central is Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), which is 4.3 mi away (7 minutes by car).

Can I book a room with a balcony at YHA Cairns Central?

No, at YHA Cairns Central, there aren't any rooms that list a balcony.

Reviews

YHA Cairns Central Reviews

8.4

Very Good

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 78 out of 206 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 96 out of 206 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 206 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 206 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 206 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shruti

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great experience. Very chill and kind staff. You can download key on your google wallet which is such great help. The common areas were all usually clean, except in the evening when the toilets would get a dirty as people used it. But generally, everyone was very respectful. Very safe. I enjoyed my stay there.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Elizah

Alright
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything in rooms clean.& in good condition. Amazing kitchen ! Toilet and shower block new and clean. Pool clean and inviting . Cairns mall just across the street with huge food court plus many shops. Room mates were lovely considerate Asian girls. All in all a wonderful stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
As a first time backpacker, I couldn't fault this establishment. It was impeccably clean, staff were friendly, bedding and beds impeccably clean and comfortable. Sheets even had iron marks on them. I would go there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ed

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and comfortable!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dayna

Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lais

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Good for a short stay

The Hostel it’s self seemed well taken care of with a pretty decent standard of cleanliness, all though many hostel mates didn’t properly clean up after themselves in the kitchen and I found myself re-washing dishes before I could actually use them. The room I stayed in (a 4 bed) was quite spacious and the lockers were big enough for my travel backpack, but the beds themselves were pretty lack luster and I found myself having a hard time getting a comfortable sleep. It does in a pinch, but I probably stayed a day too long for the sake of my back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Hieu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, very convenient location, all (bed linen, towel, ...) very clean, 50m from Cairns big shopping centre with major supermarkets, department store. The communal kitchen is very well organised, clean. Secure car parking for $5 a day. Negative things are the free wifi is only up to 5Mbps during off-peak but very slow and just enough to check email at night (peak-hours), power points should be close to the bed or the floor or the very small table in the room, if your phone charging cables are short then you have to use the power point in the ensuite (if your room has ensuite). In general I would highly recommend this place if you don't expect all the bells and whistle of a 3-4 star hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Wenhai

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

melissa

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Axel

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a great place to stay in Cairns! 10-15 minutes walk to the wharf and great shopping and dining. Large kitchen and shared area in the hostel and I loved that they advertised local events and activities happening.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Cairns Dive trip

Great facilities, great staff and a great experience all round. Will definately recommend and use again
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great property would recommend
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Xi

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

HERMANN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
easy to get to places
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Yoshiaki

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff lovely, areas clean, quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024