Castaways Backpackers
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Castaways Backpackers
207 Sheridan St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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About
#6 of 34 hostels in Cairns
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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•
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Rental Cars
29 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
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
Enquired by email re availability for 4 persons, I received an email back straight away. We were landing in cairns at 4am & though check in wasn't until afternoon they offered to let us check in once we arrived at the airport as room was avail from night b4 & sent me an email on how to get the key as the desk would be closed before 7am, which was great & unexpected!
Staff in office all very helpful, they booked our day trips the kuranda & the barrier reef & drove us around even though we had our own car. In the evenings they gave us comp meal vouchers for a bar in the town (which we ended up not using)
We stayed here three nights, the room was fine with a fridge & the bathroom across the corridor.. Had free wifi & air con rooms! All in all a good, clean & friendly place to stay!
Staff in office all very helpful, they booked our day trips the kuranda & the barrier reef & drove us around even though we had our own car. In the evenings they gave us comp meal vouchers for a bar in the town (which we ended up not using)
We stayed here three nights, the room was fine with a fridge & the bathroom across the corridor.. Had free wifi & air con rooms! All in all a good, clean & friendly place to stay!
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Date of stay: April 2013
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, Front Office Manager at Castaways Backpackers
Responded 16 Apr 2013
Hey Guys, Really glad you enjoyed your stay! It was great having you all here! Enjoy the rest of your travels!! Thanks Leslie and the team!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A small hostel with a lovely staff who are super friendly and helpful, Castaways was a great landing point in Cairns. I only stayed two nights so I didn't spend too much time hanging around, but everyone I talked to was very kind and welcoming. The dorm room, bathrooms, and common areas very all very clean and well kept. The free wifi was surprisingly speedy - and did I mention free???? - which is a pleasant surprise for Australian accommodation. I was also picked up promptly from the train station for no charge. Comfortable REAL mattresses (not the horrid foam things I have found in most hostels) and the cool breeze from the ceiling fan ensured a good night's sleep.
My one (tiny) complaint would be that the kitchen area does not have a full sized refrigerator (though there are mini fridges in the rooms).
Overall, a very nice place. A bit more expensive than some hostels in Cairns, but worth it in my opinion. Would gladly stay again.
My one (tiny) complaint would be that the kitchen area does not have a full sized refrigerator (though there are mini fridges in the rooms).
Overall, a very nice place. A bit more expensive than some hostels in Cairns, but worth it in my opinion. Would gladly stay again.
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Date of stay: August 2012
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.
Very clean and refreshing hostel which makes you feel at home straight away! We stayed here for 4 weeks (only meant to stay for 2)
The staff are very nice and always willing to help and leslie the owner is very accomodating to your needs.
However the location is around 20min into the cbd but they do offer various free shuttle buses through out the day. One suggestion maybe there could be a 9oclock shuttle or 8 oclock as if you dont want to stay out after the free meal its a long walk back.
All in all a very nice Place to stay and would be happy to stay again. Thanks guys for making us feel at home.
The staff are very nice and always willing to help and leslie the owner is very accomodating to your needs.
However the location is around 20min into the cbd but they do offer various free shuttle buses through out the day. One suggestion maybe there could be a 9oclock shuttle or 8 oclock as if you dont want to stay out after the free meal its a long walk back.
All in all a very nice Place to stay and would be happy to stay again. Thanks guys for making us feel at home.
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Date of stay: February 2012
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 staff at this hostel are extremely helpful with planning and suggesting trips. A special mention to James and Ruth who helped with the booking and planning of tours. I stayed in a female only dorm which was basic but clean as were the showers. For the price paid per night, this is good value for money. Also worth a mention, is the free airport pick-up and the shuttle service to and from the city centre (although its not too far a walk). This is not a party hostel so you can get a decent night's rest as it's fairly quiet and located outside of the busy city centre.
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Date of stay: December 2011
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 stayed at Castaway's for 3 nights this month, and I can honestly say it was one of the best hostels I've found on my trip. I stayed in a mixed dorm which had 5 beds with good quality mattresses and pillows. The room had a fridge and lots of space - and no bunk beds!
The kitchen facilities were great, as was the option to rent dvds to watch in the common room upstairs. I didn't use the pool but it looked good! The staff couldn't do any more to help me than they did - at all times they were friendly, remembered my name too which made me feel like I was home away from home.
The location is about 10 mins away from town - a nice walk along the esplanade or straight up Sheridan Street. The hostel offers courtesy shuttle buses to take you into town if you don't fancy the walk.
Ideal for solo or couples travel I'd say - if you want to be living on the doorstep of all the central pubs and nightclubs, this isn't for you, but for anyone else wanting to experience a home from home feel in Cairns, with excellent clean facilities, space, and who wants a good nights sleep, you won't find better than Castaway's. Thanks to Allen, Ruth and James for such a wonderful stay - I'm recommending you to other backpackers as we speak!
The kitchen facilities were great, as was the option to rent dvds to watch in the common room upstairs. I didn't use the pool but it looked good! The staff couldn't do any more to help me than they did - at all times they were friendly, remembered my name too which made me feel like I was home away from home.
The location is about 10 mins away from town - a nice walk along the esplanade or straight up Sheridan Street. The hostel offers courtesy shuttle buses to take you into town if you don't fancy the walk.
Ideal for solo or couples travel I'd say - if you want to be living on the doorstep of all the central pubs and nightclubs, this isn't for you, but for anyone else wanting to experience a home from home feel in Cairns, with excellent clean facilities, space, and who wants a good nights sleep, you won't find better than Castaway's. Thanks to Allen, Ruth and James for such a wonderful stay - I'm recommending you to other backpackers as we speak!
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Date of stay: December 2011
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 for six days either side of a live aboard Scuba Dive, the private en-suite room we had was spacious, modern and clean. There's free wifi (dependent on how close you are to the router) and the option to get cheap or even free food at one of the backpacker bars in town if you're on a budget.
The staff we had contact with, James, Ruth and Allen, were all extremely friendly and efficient with useful tips and advice about the locale. The location isn't the best, it's around a 20 minute walk into the centre and to the lagoon, but the area is safe and has plenty of local amenities, there is also a pickup service from the airport and a shuttle into and back from town during the day and early evening on request.
More than happy with our stay here and would recommend it to people looking for a more laid back alternative than the backpacker factories in the centre of Cairns.
The staff we had contact with, James, Ruth and Allen, were all extremely friendly and efficient with useful tips and advice about the locale. The location isn't the best, it's around a 20 minute walk into the centre and to the lagoon, but the area is safe and has plenty of local amenities, there is also a pickup service from the airport and a shuttle into and back from town during the day and early evening on request.
More than happy with our stay here and would recommend it to people looking for a more laid back alternative than the backpacker factories in the centre of Cairns.
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Date of stay: November 2011
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.
Very friendly people, 10 minute walk to the centre, pickup from the airport, clean, a bit noicy.
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Date of stay: November 2011
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.
Castaways backpackers was the first place we stayed at upon arrival in Cairns. As soon as we arrived and checked in we knew we were going to enjoy our stay here. A perfect sized hostel (about 25 rooms), suitable for all types of travellers with single, twin, double, ensuite and dorm rooms. We had a double room which was big, clean and had a very comfortable bed. Our friends were in a dorm, which again was big and not at all cramped (like the majority of hostels). Another bonus is that the dorm rooms all have single beds, no bunkbeds!!! The rooms all have their own fridge so you dont have to worry about having to label your food etc. The kitchen is a great size and you are actually able to cook, aswell as having access to the 'free food shelf' which is just great! There is a lovely communal area with sofas, widescreen tv, dvds, balcony etc.
The hostel, for us was just perfect... there was nothing we could fault about the rooms at all.
And i think for us one of the things that made our stay was the staff, they were all so welcoming and friendly and made you feel that they wanted to help.
I would definitely recommend this hostel for people who are wanting to enjoy Cairns but also feel at home and comfortable which is just what Castaways did for us, thanks Roxy, Katie and James for making it such a friendly place to stay!!!!
The hostel, for us was just perfect... there was nothing we could fault about the rooms at all.
And i think for us one of the things that made our stay was the staff, they were all so welcoming and friendly and made you feel that they wanted to help.
I would definitely recommend this hostel for people who are wanting to enjoy Cairns but also feel at home and comfortable which is just what Castaways did for us, thanks Roxy, Katie and James for making it such a friendly place to stay!!!!
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Date of stay: July 2011
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.
Castaways is a really nice hostel with friendly staff. It's clean and reasonably quiet. It's about a 2km walk from the center of town, which is a comfortable walk mostly along the sea front esplanade. Like everywhere in Cairns, they have a tour office and the staff were extremely helpful. They suggested a bunch of their favourite things in the area and made great suggestions as to where to visit. If I returned to Cairns, I'd happily stay here again.
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Date of stay: July 2011
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 here for 1 night at the end of a road trip from Sydney to Cairns before flying out to NZ. Stayed in a double ensuite room which was clean and comfortable, not luxury by any means but totally functional for what we needed it for. Bathroom was nice and clean too which is always good!! About a 15 minute walk/5 minute drive from the centre of town. Again, fine for one night but maybe a little annoying if you were staying longer.
Staff all very friendly and you can tell they try really hard to get everyone to know each other. Think this hostel would be perfect for a young single traveller as you'd quickly make friends if you stayed more than a night. However, if you don't fancy getting to know everyone then it's totally fine to just go into town and do your own thing.
Only slight annoyance was coin operated air conditioner. Didn't mind paying $2 to operate it but it shut down after a a few hours and made a loud clanking noise - if you've put it on for when you go to sleep it's not great to be woken up in the early hours when it turns itself off!!
Booked at taxi via the hostel for early flight (about 5am) - taxi turned up ontime and was a reasonable price.
Staff all very friendly and you can tell they try really hard to get everyone to know each other. Think this hostel would be perfect for a young single traveller as you'd quickly make friends if you stayed more than a night. However, if you don't fancy getting to know everyone then it's totally fine to just go into town and do your own thing.
Only slight annoyance was coin operated air conditioner. Didn't mind paying $2 to operate it but it shut down after a a few hours and made a loud clanking noise - if you've put it on for when you go to sleep it's not great to be woken up in the early hours when it turns itself off!!
Booked at taxi via the hostel for early flight (about 5am) - taxi turned up ontime and was a reasonable price.
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Date of stay: August 2010
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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