Australian Hostels
Membership
Travel & Tours
Groups
About YHA
My Booking
My YHA booking
Australia ENG
Korea KOR
Japan JAP
China CHN
Australia ENG
Korea KOR
Japan JAP
China CHN
My Bookings
My Bookings My Bookings
Australia ENG
Korea KOR
Japan JAP
China CHN
Home > Hostels > QLD > Cairns and Far North Queensland > Cairns Backpackers Hostel > Things to do

Cairns Central YHA

Check in
Check out

  • 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.

    At the hostel

    Event - BBQ

    BBQ Night

    Join us for our Friday night BBQ, not only do you get a delicious dinner but its also a great way mingle with other guests and share your amazing travel stories.

    When:
    Friday Night
    Where:
    Courtyard
    Cost:
    $5.00
    Event - Movie night

    Movie Night

    Join us in the TV Room for a movie and free popcorn.

    When:
    Monday Night
    Where:
    TV Room
    Cost:
    $0.00
    Event - Free pancakes

    Pancake Breakfast

    Start your day right with our amazing Free pancake breakfast.

    When:
    Daily
    Where:
    Courtyard
    Cost:
    $0.00

    Tours & activities related to this hostel

    $149
    per person
    Atherton Tablelands Overnight Waterfalls Adventure - Cairns Swimming

    Atherton Tablelands Overnight Waterfalls Adventure

    QLD
    Waterfalls, rainforest and loads of fun! This overnight adventure to the Atherton Tablelands will be one to remember!
    $169
    per person
    Take a selfie with a turtle

    Budget Great Barrier Reef Tour

    QLD
    Explore two stunning reef sites aboard a brand new luxury vessel. One of the best value for money tours on the East Coast.
    $164
    per person
    Cape Tribulation Rainforest Adventure - Mossman Gorge

    Cape Tribulation Rainforest Adventure

    Cape Tribulation, QLD
    Discover Tropical North Queensland's world heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on this full day tour to Cape Tribulation departing from Cairns.
    $959
    per person
    Whitsunday Island White Haven Beach

    East Coast Highlights

    Sydney & Cairns, NSW
    Travel Australia's popular East Coast and visit the 3 must-do attractions - Fraser Island, Whitsunday Sailing and Magnetic Island. Save even more by adding a 10 night YHA accommodation pack to use anywhere en-route!
    $779
    per person
    Snorkelling around the Whitsunday Islands (image credit TEQ)

    Fraser Island and Whitsundays Package

    QLD
    Experience the best of the East Coast with this great value Fraser Island and Whitsundays 6 day adventure package. Includes 1 FREE night at Airlie Beach YHA
    $995
    per person
    Great Barrier Reef 5 Day Scuba Diving Course

    Great Barrier Reef 5 Day Scuba Diving Course

    Cairns, QLD
    Learn to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef with this 5 Day PADI Open Water diving course in Cairns. Includes 2 FREE NIGHTS at Cairns Central YHA
    $231
    per person
    Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour

    Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour

    Cairns, QLD
    Explore the beautiful Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland on one of the best day boat tours from Cairns!
    $85
    per person
    1 Day Green Island Tour

    Green Island Reef Day Tour

    Cairns, QLD
    Full Day Green Island tour including snorkelling or a Glass Bottom boat tour. With several daily departures from Cairns, this is the perfect trip for those with limited time. Book now to SAVE 10%.
    $328
    per person
    Greyhound Pass Cairns-Brisbane

    Greyhound Pass Cairns-Brisbane

    QLD
    Travel in comfort between Cairns and Brisbane stopping to explore Queensland’s unique destinations along the way. Includes onward travel to Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay. YHA SPECIAL- SAVE $17.00
    $503
    per person
    Greyhound Pass Cairns-Brisbane

    Greyhound Pass Melbourne - Cairns

    Melbourne, VIC
    Travel Australia's famous East Coast in comfort with this Hop on Hop off Greyhound pass. Exclusive discount, save $26 when you book with YHA!
    $413
    per person
    Greyhound

    Greyhound Pass Sydney-Cairns

    Sydney & Cairns, NSW
    Travel the East Coast with this popular Greyhound hop-on hop-off, 90 day bus pass from Sydney to Cairns or Cairns to Sydney. Save $20 with this exclusive YHA price. BUY NOW, TRAVEL LATER!
    $381
    per person
    Rainforest Skyrail and Great Barrier Reef Tour

    Rainforest Skyrail and Great Barrier Reef Tour

    Cairns, QLD
    Enjoy Cairns with this Kuranda Scenic Railway journey, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience and full day tour to the Great Barrier Reef.*YHA Members receive FREE introductory scuba dive!*
    $557
    per person
    Ultimate Cairns Skydiving, Reef and Rainforest Tour - Skydive Girl

    Ultimate Cairns Skydiving, Reef and Rainforest Tour

    Cairns, QLD
    This package is the ultimate Cairns adventure! Skydive from 14,000ft, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore lush tropical rainforests.

    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.

    Travellers Tips

    • take advantage of the free exercise classes on the esplanade Palm Cove beach is great! $28 round trip for a beautiful day!
      Lauren C
    • Would highly recommend Cape Tribulation. It is an amazing day trip.
      Naomi L
    • I highly recommend visiting Cairns Botanic Gardens! Extremely beautiful - especially rainforest part. Beautiful and for free:)
      Agata B
    • YHA is the center of Cairns so you can walk to all the cafe's.
      Grace W
    • All the tours! Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation and the Waterfall tours are all amazing. They might seem a bit pricey but they are worth every dollar!
      Sally F
    • Come for Fringe festival or Womadelaide next year!! Such a great time, and so many great memories made.
      Natalie D
    • Daintree highly recommened!!
      Jurrien S

    Connect with this hostel

At least 10% off accommodation for all YHA members  

Open up your options, become a member

Join now  

Save at least 10% off accommodation at YHA hostels around Australia.
Get member rates at over 4,000 YHA/HI hostels worldwide.
Enjoy discounts on travel gear, transport and more!