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Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel

2.0 star property
Adults-only hostel with a 24-hour front desk and an outdoor pool

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel

Lobby
Sports facility
In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Double Room (Shared Bathroom Facilities)
Near Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel welcomes you with an outdoor pool and bar. Enjoy the sunshine on the terrace or connect with free in-room WiFi. Previous guests rave about this convenient location.

Reviews

5.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Double Room (Shared Bathroom Facilities)

Double Room (Shared Bathroom Facilities)

Double Room (Shared Bathroom Facilities)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory (6 bed with ensuite)

Shared Dormitory (6 bed with ensuite)

Shared Dormitory (6 bed with ensuite)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Twin Room (Shared bathroom)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only (6 bed with shared bathroom)

Shared Dormitory, Women only (6 bed with shared bathroom)

Shared Dormitory, Women only (6 bed with shared bathroom)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory (6 bed with shared bathroom)

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory (6 bed with shared bathroom)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Shared Dormitory (2 bed with shared bathroom)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Microwave
Stovetop
Cookware/dishes/utensils
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
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About the area

Located in Cairns Central Business District, a neighborhood in Cairns, Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel is near a train station. JUTE Theatre Company and Center of Contemporary Arts are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Muddy's Playground and Reef Teach. Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome and ZOO To You HQ Wildlife Discovery Centre are also worth visiting.
Visit our Cairns travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Hostels in CairnsOpens in a new window
Map
83 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, 4870

What's nearby

  • Cairns Esplanade - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Esplanade Lagoon - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cairns Marlin Marina - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 11 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 13 min walk
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪La Pizza Trattoria - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Skewers Lover 炸串 - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Splash Seafood - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Phở Street - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel

Hostel near Cairns Esplanade
Near Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel provides a terrace, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • An outdoor pool
  • Airport pick-up service (surcharge), express check-out, and a computer station
  • A 24-hour front desk, barbecue grills, and a TV in the lobby
  • A front-desk safe, luggage storage, and tour/ticket assistance
Room features
All guestrooms at Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel boast perks such as air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and safes.
More amenities include:
  • Communal kitchens with refrigerators, microwaves, and stovetops
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils, daily housekeeping, and phones

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • Airport pick-up shuttle (surcharge) from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at scheduled times and on request

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Computer station

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Stovetop

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 5:30 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and lockbox information; your host will greet you
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk, lockbox

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children younger than 18 are not allowed at this adults-only property; all guests 18 and older are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: AUD 50.00 per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: AUD 15 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may 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 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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Guests under 18 years old are not permitted at this adults-only property

Property is also known as

Waterfront Backpackers Hostel Cairns
Waterfront Backpackers Hostel
Waterfront Backpackers Cairns
Waterfront Backpackers
Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel Cairns
Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Does Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel?

There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 5:30 AM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Does Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's a shuttle from the airport to the hotel that runs 8:00 AM–8:00 PM on request. A fee of AUD 15 per person applies.

Where is Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel located?

Located in Cairns Central Business District, this hostel is steps from Michaelmas Cay and Cairns Esplanade. Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Central Shopping Centre are also within 15 minutes. Cairns Station is 13 minutes by foot.

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Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel Reviews

Reviews

5.4
Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 42 reviews

5.4/10

Cleanliness

6.4/10

Staff & service

3.4/10

Amenities

4.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

D, Melbourne

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Filthy. Bed had sand on it. Floors had weird stains. Air con locked out during peak heat times. Noisy. No lock on bathroom door leading directly from kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

6/10 Okay

Melker

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Litet och ofräscht

Vi bodde i ett dubbelrum, extremt litet samt ofräscha sängar. Air condition var endast på från 5pm - 8am, extremt varmt på rummet de andra timmarna.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

6/10 Okay

Siegfried

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Amanda

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

4/10 Poor

.

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room doesn't have enough outlets. Unclean and old hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Jing-Yuan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Jing-Yuan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
まあまあよかったと思います もう少し清潔感があればなお良いですが、 価格に対するクオリティは充分です
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Matt

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

Go for it

Great location. Chill spot to enjoy cairns.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The showers are crap. And the toilets aren’t really clean. But for a few nights only and for that price it’s completely alright to stay there and the nightmarket is underneath the hostel. It’s not noisy in there and the fridges have small lockers for every person, so no one can steal food from you. It’s not too bad, but nothing I would like to stay in for a month
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Matt

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

Solo backpacker

Quiet place. Thursday nights are the best time to come.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Rico

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
It is located close to public swiming pool and harbor
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

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

Shady place wouldn’t stay again

This place had a funky smell very small. No towels. Shared washroom was very hot a not clean. The toilet paper was the cheapest kind. This is my first and last time in this hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

4/10 Poor

Tara, QLD Australua

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I asked to leave small suitcase before chack in, but there was no stuff and everytime when I require assistance, he wasnt really friendly. But tour desk stuffs were always friendly and nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location but pretty shoddy conditions

It was a hostel so was never going to be amazing. The staff were friendly but the hygiene was poor. Pretty dirty.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

2/10 Terrible

bastide

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Don t go there

During my period in this hostel rats, cockroach. The swimming pool is really really dirty. Construction site just above is pretty noisy. The wifi is good but depend where you are in the hostel. And if you call them to ask if you can work for accomadation they say yes to make you come and after they found escuses to not let you work
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hostel is right next to a major construction site. It is dark and drab.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No air conditionings shared toilet didn't have toilet paper
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018

6/10 Okay

Dimiter

Liked: Staff & service

Basic

A usual cheap hostel with central location. The common areas can use some cleaning and polishing. Fortunately there was aircon and wifi in the room. Staff is mostly cooperative.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

2/10 Terrible

baily

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

Don’t stay here

I had prepaid for two nights and wished I didn’t. The place was filthy, the staff was never around, the free breakfast was really weak when it was actually there, no lots on the door, people weren’t friendly, no safe or lockers, and the toilet and taps were broken. I moved to travellers oasis after my paid for nights and was so so so much happier!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

4/10 Poor

yuppy, tokyo

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

寝るだけのホテル

バックパッカー用なので、寝るだけならWi-Fiが使えるから問題はないかな？英語が話せれば、どうにかなる。シャワー付きトイレが一階にしかない。階段のみなので、ヘビーなトランクは持ち運ぶのが大変。
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

4/10 Poor

Tina, mareeba

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

ラグーンに近いホテル

立地いいと思います、 安いのでまた利用するかもしれないです。 またラグーンやお店も近いので暇になってもすぐに出掛けれるから寝るだけで考えたらコスパも悪くない。

2/10 Terrible

ruei jin

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

這家旅舍會盜刷盜用客人的信用卡，大家要小心，他們趁要押房卡金過卡時，再度偷刷，是不良不道德的旅舍。

這家旅舍會盜刷盜用客人的信用卡，大家要小心，他們趁要押房卡金過卡時，再度偷刷，是不良不道德的旅舍。房間太髒亂，有怪味，衛生間很噁心，家具破舊不堪，床單也有破洞。旅舍住客喝酒大聲宣譁到凌晨3點，缺乏管理與制度，我訂的是女性用6床房，但是櫃台執意給男女混住房也，夜裡叫春聲不斷，太不安全，也不規範。廚房碗盤破裂鍋盆凹凸不平已不堪使用。

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Ok for the price, bathrooms lacking

The room was clean and comfortable and the aircon worked ok. The 3 bathrooms on the upper floors were not maintained. They were clean enough but only one had toilet paper, one with a shower was out of order and the other one with a shower the door didn't shut or lock. We only stayed one night but are a bit confused as to where we were supposed to shower. The kitchen was lacking on mugs/cups and plates or bowls. We tried to have coffee and had to scrounge for dishes. Decent price for the location though and front desk staff and information guy Phil was great