Castaways Backpackers
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Castaways Backpackers
207 Sheridan St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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About
4.5
#6 of 33 hostels in CairnsLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
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HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quirky Hotels
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, Italian
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Vending machine
Bicycle rental
Darts
Airport transportation
BBQ facilities
Parking
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Shuttle bus service
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
24-hour check-in
Express check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Location
207 Sheridan St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 71 out of 100
71
Cairns Airport
4.2 km•
See all flights
Rental Cars
28 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
305Reviews6Q+A36Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
When me and my friend got to Cairns, we looked online and saw this cute little hostel. We booked a room for one night but we actually stay for almost 2 weeks. If we didn't book a flight to Bali we definitely would have stayed longer.
It's just amazing. The owner (Wayne), his son (Kieran) and the receptionist (Kenny) are the nicest and friendliest people I have ever meet as hostel workers. They are really nice to everyone who is coming to stay at the hostel. They are caring so much about the wellbeing of their guests. No words could ever describe how awesome these people are. They are helping you in every possible way they could. It doesn't matter if you aren't that good in speaking englisch or being a little bit shy.
My friend and I had so much trouble by booking the flights to Bali and they offered us help and told us we could use their computer.
Everyone is more than welcome in this hostel. You meet new people everyday because the hostel is taking you on special trips, having a really yummy and cheap BBQ on Sunday and a really cool pool competition on Saturday. Every Wednesday almost everyone is going out and having pizzas at woolshed. It absolutely awesome. I had so much fun when I stayed at the hostel. It's not even just fun but really clean too! I had a room with my friend and another girl and these beds were really comfortable and the bathroom was clean too. The hostel has big kitchen, a really beautiful balcony, a huge tv room with Netflix and an awesome little pool. As you can see this hostel is just amazing.
This stay made my trip to Australia even more beautiful and mad it harder to say goodbye. I enjoyed my days and nights at the hostel and I will definitely return as soon as possible.
But I really want to say thank you to all these workers at the hostel. First of all I can't even thank you enough for what you have done for me. I appreciate your hard work! The receptionist always cheers you up and making you laugh when you had a bad day. He is putting so much effort into this hostel. A big thank you!!! It's not an hostel anymore it's my second home.
It's just amazing. The owner (Wayne), his son (Kieran) and the receptionist (Kenny) are the nicest and friendliest people I have ever meet as hostel workers. They are really nice to everyone who is coming to stay at the hostel. They are caring so much about the wellbeing of their guests. No words could ever describe how awesome these people are. They are helping you in every possible way they could. It doesn't matter if you aren't that good in speaking englisch or being a little bit shy.
My friend and I had so much trouble by booking the flights to Bali and they offered us help and told us we could use their computer.
Everyone is more than welcome in this hostel. You meet new people everyday because the hostel is taking you on special trips, having a really yummy and cheap BBQ on Sunday and a really cool pool competition on Saturday. Every Wednesday almost everyone is going out and having pizzas at woolshed. It absolutely awesome. I had so much fun when I stayed at the hostel. It's not even just fun but really clean too! I had a room with my friend and another girl and these beds were really comfortable and the bathroom was clean too. The hostel has big kitchen, a really beautiful balcony, a huge tv room with Netflix and an awesome little pool. As you can see this hostel is just amazing.
This stay made my trip to Australia even more beautiful and mad it harder to say goodbye. I enjoyed my days and nights at the hostel and I will definitely return as soon as possible.
But I really want to say thank you to all these workers at the hostel. First of all I can't even thank you enough for what you have done for me. I appreciate your hard work! The receptionist always cheers you up and making you laugh when you had a bad day. He is putting so much effort into this hostel. A big thank you!!! It's not an hostel anymore it's my second home.
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Date of stay: July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Castaway's backpackers is a fantastic hostel close to the centre of town. The family owned property is hands down the best hostel in Cairns. The hostel itself boasts a variety of activities within, including, a free pool table, cinema room, games station, swimming pool, very fast WiFi, and best of all, no bunk beds!
The staff at the hostel are very welcoming and can help with almost anything you need. Kenny, Wayne, Keiran and Co. are just a few that make up the brilliant staff on board. Everyone, guests included, will make sure that you really enjoy your stay.
Also, the hostel is kept very clean and there is a large kitchen with all pots and pans etc. supplied for you. We stayed in a double room which was spacious, but they have a large of array of different rooms to cater to your individual needs.
They also plan lots of trips outside of the hostel including, trips to creeks and waterfalls, bungy jumps, etc. all at very low expense. Georgie in reception can also help you with any excursions you wish to take whilst your here. On a Sunday they their fantastic BBQ, which has meat and veggie options, prepared by the two supreme chefs, Kenny and Martin (this is something you mustn't miss)
Put simply, check castaways first if you're going to be staying in cairns. If you want a friendly, clean, exciting and enjoyable hostel, then look no further than Castaway's backpackers!
The staff at the hostel are very welcoming and can help with almost anything you need. Kenny, Wayne, Keiran and Co. are just a few that make up the brilliant staff on board. Everyone, guests included, will make sure that you really enjoy your stay.
Also, the hostel is kept very clean and there is a large kitchen with all pots and pans etc. supplied for you. We stayed in a double room which was spacious, but they have a large of array of different rooms to cater to your individual needs.
They also plan lots of trips outside of the hostel including, trips to creeks and waterfalls, bungy jumps, etc. all at very low expense. Georgie in reception can also help you with any excursions you wish to take whilst your here. On a Sunday they their fantastic BBQ, which has meat and veggie options, prepared by the two supreme chefs, Kenny and Martin (this is something you mustn't miss)
Put simply, check castaways first if you're going to be staying in cairns. If you want a friendly, clean, exciting and enjoyable hostel, then look no further than Castaway's backpackers!
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Date of stay: October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Been traveling around Australia for a while and this was by far the best hostel we have stayed in!! The staff were so friendly and couldn't do more to help, full of knowledge about the area etc. Melody on the tour desk was a legend pretty much booking our trip for us, didn't push the expensive ones like a lot of companies do, rather found tours that suites us best. All of her recommendations were amazing! The hostel itself had a relaxed and fun atmosphere with a lot of effort put in to make sure the guests have fun (pool tournaments, free slushies) and the staff get involved too. Any mess that is made is all down to other guests rather than staff negligence. It is a hostel after all! Really didn't want to leave this place! Thank you so much Castaways team!!!
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Date of stay: November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Atmosphere is nice but overall a meh experience given the rave reviews. The room was dirty and plain, the sheets untidy. There are only two showers for the while hostel which are also quite dirty and the water pressure is nearly non-existent. The kitchen was a small mess, unclean, sticky and smelling. The trash wasn't't emptied once in the whole week we stayed, even as it was more than full. The staff was hard to get, the reception nearly always empty. At least the hammocks were nice, same goes for the fans that help to cope with the tropic humidity and heat but aside from that:
Just meh.
Just meh.
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Date of stay: July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from CastawaysBP, Owner at Castaways Backpackers
Responded 1 Aug 2016
Hi Jonas, I'm sorry to hear that you could only find 2 of the 7 showers situated throughout the hostel that are cleaned twice a day. Also I'm not sure why you mention that the trash was only emptied once in your week stay when you only stayed with us for 4 nights. The bins are emptied atleast twice a day and when needed otherwise, which its checked 7 times a day by our staff. When reception is empty we would normally be providing our free shuttle service for our guests which we would only be 5mins away and for those with phones we are contactable 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week and are happy to help. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the hammocks, we are still looking at installing more.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Awesome staff, perfect place to meet lovely people, free wifi that works really good, free pool table, FREE SLUSH, pool area, nice rooms, available for campervans that can use all the facilities in the hostel, tvroom wig Netflix, awesome barbeque on Sundays, if the staff have time they will take you in the bus to cool places for free. Like go swimming in lakes and waterfalls! They will also take you in to town or to the markets. Just go there, so good.
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Date of stay: May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After spending months traveling me and my girlfriend wanted to have a couple of relaxing days to re-energize before the next adventure (New Zealand). We found this place and the reviews said it was located far from party town and that they had good WiFi so we decided to stay here.
The staff seemed lovely and I have nothing but positive things to say about them but..
This ended up as the least relaxing place I stayed at during my east coast trip. There was a pool table just outside our room and that's where people hang out all day and often late into the night. Plenty of weed smoking, often throughout the day and night. They don't have a set quiet time so no wonder it's loud at night. The AC was coin operated ($1/3h) which was a first for me. Our had a jammed coin in it so it worked but I would definitely have changed hostel if that wasn't the case. The bed was almost like a sheet on springs and painful.
On the plus side there was a fridge in the room, plenty of hangers and a good WiFi when it worked - half the time it didn't so...
Pro tip: Say no to room nr 11.
The staff seemed lovely and I have nothing but positive things to say about them but..
This ended up as the least relaxing place I stayed at during my east coast trip. There was a pool table just outside our room and that's where people hang out all day and often late into the night. Plenty of weed smoking, often throughout the day and night. They don't have a set quiet time so no wonder it's loud at night. The AC was coin operated ($1/3h) which was a first for me. Our had a jammed coin in it so it worked but I would definitely have changed hostel if that wasn't the case. The bed was almost like a sheet on springs and painful.
On the plus side there was a fridge in the room, plenty of hangers and a good WiFi when it worked - half the time it didn't so...
Pro tip: Say no to room nr 11.
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Date of stay: March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
8 nights. Castaway's is family owned and operated. The family (Wayne, Helen & Kieran) and staff (Kenny & Winnie) treated me with dignity and respect. They worked with me to revise my check out date twice, did some leg work toward finding me an available rental car on New Years Day, gave me a towel to use when I didn't have one... A/C is $1 for 3 hours. I had a private room with shared bathroom. Complimentary slushies (alternating flavors) in the shared kitchen were also a nice touch in hot weather. Thankful for the warm hospitality. Great value!
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Date of stay: January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed at Castaways for 5 nights and was the best hostel we had stayed in in our whole time on the east coast. Very friendly staff and new owners are making the place a must go for backpackers. They offer free shuttle rides into the city and Airport drop off's which makes life so much easier. Also if they have time they will take you out for day trips to see the local area such as cascade falls which is an amazing place! Thanks to all the team and I'll be back in the new year!
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Date of stay: December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Castaways Crew made my stay amazing! The curtesy van was so helpful and the guys were very accommodating with making it work for us.
Kenny helped set up a day trip for us to an amazing nature hike and swimming hole.
Wane helped us find a craft store and then brought us there in the curtesy van.
The staff is amazing and all they care about is helping us have a good time!
Kenny helped set up a day trip for us to an amazing nature hike and swimming hole.
Wane helped us find a craft store and then brought us there in the curtesy van.
The staff is amazing and all they care about is helping us have a good time!
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Date of stay: November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
the new owner is really dedicated. He and his team patiently answer every question that I raised and offered advice on the tour. They have collaborated with restaurants in the city center with activities and free pizza that cater for almost everyone. The lovely swimming pool renders the place all the more romantic and agreeable!
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Date of stay: December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I believe it runs every hour from around 9 am-7pm, but when they aren't busy they'll take you at any time! And they will pick you up at a central location if you ask them too.
Hi There,
Our last shuttle run is at 6:45pm and reception closes at 7pm, You will receive an email explaining how to find your key when you arrive at the hostel and the free CBD shuttle service doesn't start until 8am. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to email or phone us. We are looking forward to meeting you. Thanks Kieran.
At Castway's your bed is made with fresh linen, and you can rent fresh towels
The price for a single room with shared bathroom is $45 a night.
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LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandCairns RegionCairns
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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