Vandrerhjem i Cairns

"I’ve stayed in other backpackers before, and I’m really surprised by how clean and organized this place is. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely impressive. I stayed for 4 days, and for 3 of them everything was very clean. The kitchen has everything you need — I even used the mini oven to make homemade pizza. There’s also a pool, laundry, and tables and chairs outside where you can study or relax during summer. The 6-bed female room had its own fridge and a locker for each person. The room was very clean, and they provided a towel and a blanket. I was lucky to share the room with very tidy girls during my first three days, so it stayed just as clean as when we arrived. The staff were also really nice and calm. Overall, considering the price and that it’s a backpacker hostel, it’s excellent — 10/10!"

"I had a great stay at Gilligan’s! The room was spacious and clean, and I was even lucky enough to have the whole dorm to myself one night. I still managed to meet plenty of people, despite being a solo traveller, thanks to the social atmosphere and nightlife. It’s worth noting that the bar/club area didn’t really get busy until late in the evening (11:30pm onwards), and the hostel is pretty deserted during the day thanks to everyone being out on tours/experiences. My room was overlooking the pool/bar area, so did get noisy at night, but the hostel offers free earplugs at reception which did the trick. It was great to have an en-suite in the room, and the bathroom was in good condition. The location is ideal, right within the hub of Cairns City, however I didn’t feel particularly safe as a solo female traveller in the area at night, so it’s definitely important to be aware of that/travel in a group where possible. The on-site travel agency is helpful and approachable, and staying at the hostel means that you can get discounted drinks at the bar and free club entry before 11pm. I didn’t end up going to any of the weekday themed nights, but at the weekend the vibes downstairs were good. I would definitely recommend Gilligan’s to any young solo/group travellers who want to meet new people and experience Cairns’ party scene at a budget-friendly price!"