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Home > Hostels > QLD > Cairns and Far North Queensland > Cairns Backpackers Hostel

Cairns Central YHA

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  • Getting here by train

    As far as hostels in Cairns, Australia go, Cairns Central YHA is extremely convenient. Cairns Railway Station is across the road, only 50m away! Queensland Rail Services to/from Brisbane depart from Cairns Railway Station. Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail rainforest journeys also depart from Cairns Railway Station. 

    Getting here by bus

    Cairns Bus Terminal is 1km from Cairns Central YHA Hostel. All major coach companies service Cairns.

    Nearest airport

    Cairns Airport is 7.5km from Cairns Central YHA. Airport shuttle bus pick up is available (arrivals only) between 8AM to 8PM for a discounted rate of $5. Airport transfers must be booked in advance, please contact the hostel directly for instructions on how to book. Available for Cairns Central YHA guests only.

     

    Nearby

    Parking - limited secure parking is available onsite. Please enquire prior to arrival to avoid disappointment.

    Taxis offer 24-hour service and are conveniently located across the road.

    Around the hostel

    Main attractions

    • Great Barrier Reef
    • World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest
    • Esplanade Boardwalk 
    • Cairns Botanic Gardens
    • Mungalli Falls
    • Trinity Beach

    Nearby facilities & attractions

    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Scuba Diving
    • Snorkelling 
    • Swimming
    • Jet Skiing/Waterskiing
    • Canoeing/Kayaking 
    • Bungee Jumping
    • Flyboarding 
    • Skydiving
    • Off Road Motorcycle Tours
    • 4WD Tours
    • Hot Air Ballooning
    • Cycling
    • Golfing
    • Bushwalking/Hiking
    • Party Buses
    • Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome
    • Restaurants and Pubs

    Find us...

    Address: 20-26 McLeod Street
    Cairns , QLD 4870
    Email: cairnscentral@yha.com.au
    Phone: (+617) 4051 0772
    Hostel Manager: Dean Thexton
    Payment: MasterCard, Visa

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    • Cairns Central Video
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    • Cairns Central YHA - Entrance
      Cairns Central YHA - Entrance
    • Cairns Central YHA - Check In
      Cairns Central YHA - Check In
    • Cairns Central YHA - Pool
      Cairns Central YHA - Pool
    • Cairns Central YHA - 6 Bed Dorm
      Cairns Central YHA - 6 Bed Dorm
    • Cairns Central YHA - Deck Area
      Cairns Central YHA - Deck Area
    • Cairns Central YHA - Kitchen
      Cairns Central YHA - Kitchen
    • Cairns Central YHA - Herb Garden
      Cairns Central YHA - Herb Garden
    • Cairns Central YHA - Outdoor Common Area
      Cairns Central YHA - Outdoor Common Area
    • Cairns Central YHA - Pool Table
      Cairns Central YHA - Pool Table
    • Cairns Central YHA - Palm Cove
      Cairns Central YHA - Palm Cove
    • Cairns Central YHA - Holloways Beach
      Cairns Central YHA - Holloways Beach
    • Cairns Central YHA - Crystal Cascades
      Cairns Central YHA - Crystal Cascades
    $25
    91%

    Cairns Central YHA

    Fun, affordable, award-winning and central - just a few words we use to describe our YHA hostel in Cairns.

    Cairns is a backpackers' mecca and has all a budget conscious traveller needs for a comfortable stay.

    Winner for best hostel and Hall of Fame entrant in the 2015 Queensland Tourism Awards, Cairns YHA is opposite Cairns Central Shopping Centre and is a short walk from the Cairns Esplanade. Here, you will find lots of pubs, shops and cafés, plus Trinity Wharf, departure point for Great Barrier Reef cruises and tours.

    YHA's Backpacker hostel in Cairns has 59 rooms including dorm, twin/double and family rooms. All are air-conditioned and many have ensuites. There is also a FREE Hot Spot (Wifi Plus also available). An airport shuttle bus is available for guests at a discounted rate of $5 (arrivals only) between 8am - 8pm.  Please contact the hostel directly for booking instructions and discount code.

    Family Rooms: To book a family room rate, there must be at least one child under 18 and 1-2 adults; otherwise this special room rate will be adjusted to the usual adult prices with the difference payable on arrival.

    Make sure you stick around for breakfast! There is FREE pancakes from 7:00am - 9am daily.

     

    Accommodation

    • Sleeps 225 guests
    • Multi-share dorms
    • Double/Twin rooms
    • Ensuite rooms
    • Family rooms
    • Group bookings

    Facilities

    • Air conditioning
    • Disabled Access
    • Games room
    • Free Hot Spot & Wifi Plus
    • Parking
    • Swimming Pool
    • Television
    • Tour Desk

    Activities

    • 4WD tours
    • Bungee Jumping
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Diving
    • Horse riding
    • Hot Air Ballooning
    • Skydiving
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming
    • Whitewater Rafting

    Reviews

    91% customer rating, based on 3935 Reviews
    • Clean, safe and easy to meet new people from anywhere
      91%
      Diane R July 2017
    • Great location. Staff were fantastic! Even the towels were good quality😁
      100%
      Colin B July 2017
    • Very helpful desk. We had a spacious family room with ensuite shower, clean and comfy. Stores nearby. Would return anytime.
      95%
      Harry D July 2017
    • My favourite hostel in Australia, well located, friendly staff, clean and welcoming.
      100%
      Lynne K July 2017
    • Great location, very clean, nice facilities and awesome staff!
      100%
      Maïté July 2017
    • Kitchen area is so big that it is so easy and nice to communicate other tourists! I really enjoyed staying here!!
      93%
      Kiyoko F July 2017
    • Great staff, facility, always wonderful experience.
      93%
      Baine P July 2017

    Find us...

    Address: 20-26 McLeod Street
    Cairns , QLD 4870
    Email: cairnscentral@yha.com.au
    Phone: (+617) 4051 0772
    Hostel Manager: Dean Thexton
    Payment: MasterCard, Visa

    Opening times

    Hostel Open all year
    Reception

    24 hours with limited services between 11:00pm to 6:30am
    Check in from 1:30pm daily
    Check out until 10:00am daily

    Save with YHA membership

    YHA members save at least 10% off accommodation at YHA hostels.

     

        2015 QLD Tourism Awards - Gold Winner     2015 QLD Tourism Awards - Hall of Fame
       
    Things to do in Cairns

    YHA's Cairns Backpacker hostel is the perfect base to explore North Queensland.

    The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest fringes the Great Barrier Reef, with the outback around the corner.

    YHA Travel staff at the hostel can organise many tours and activities, including scuba-diving courses, white-water rafting, bungy jumping, and Barrier Reef Cruises.

    The hostel can also arrange daytrips to the Skyrail Cableway, Kuranda Scenic Rail, Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, and Cooktown.

    Cairns Backpackers' nightlife is legendary, from pub crawls and parties to cane toad races! All are just a short walk away from the hostel. On a budget? See the Cairns YHA's reception for nightclub discount vouchers! The Cairns Night Markets are on every evening from 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm.

    Read More

    FREE things to do in Cairns

    1. Walk along the Esplanade to the Botanical Gardens then do the Red Arrow and reward yourself with the a cool drink at the Botanical Gardens Cafe afterwards.
    2. Rustys markets - Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (check out Billys Coffee...rumoured to be the best coffee in Cairns).
    3. Join the Cairns locals for free zumba, yoga and fitness classes on the Esplanade.
    4. Have a swim in the lagoon pool and then soak up some rays while you listen to the local bands who often provide free entertainment on the grassy area by the pool.
    5. Cairns night markets - open daily 4-10 PM.
    6. Take a drive out to Crystal Cascades and enjoy a refreshing dip under a beautiful waterfall.
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