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Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

2.0 star property
Hostel with a nightclub, 8-minute walk to Cairns Esplanade

Choose dates to view prices

Located near Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Marlin Marina, Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort buzzes with activity. Enjoy the nightclub, poolside concerts, or relax on the sunny terrace. The hostel's book collection offers quieter moments in this action-packed spot.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Bar
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
The current price is ₩194,434
₩213,877 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 17 - Nov 18

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 11 of 11 rooms

View all photos for 6 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

6 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Large Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 6 Bed Female Dorm With En-Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

6 Bed Female Dorm With En-Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Large Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 4 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

4 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Large Twin Beds

View all photos for Hotel King Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Hotel King Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Iron/ironing board
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for 10 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

10 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

10 Bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 5 Large Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 4 Bed Female Dorm With En-Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

4 Bed Female Dorm With En-Suite

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Large Twin Beds

View all photos for Hotel Twin Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Hotel Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Iron/ironing board
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Hotel Deluxe Room

Hotel Deluxe Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Hotel Deluxe Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
  • 20 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for 8 bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

8 bed Mixed Dorm With En-Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Large Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 8 Bed En-suite Female

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

8 Bed En-suite Female

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Large Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 4 Bed En-suite Deluxe Mixed

4 Bed En-suite Deluxe Mixed | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

4 Bed En-suite Deluxe Mixed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Large Twin Beds
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About the neighborhood

Map
57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns, QLD, 04870

What's nearby

  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Cairns Night Markets - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Reef Hotel Casino - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Cairns Esplanade - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 8 min walk
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Caffiend - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Blackbird Espresso - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Annee's Caphê - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Fetta's Greek Taverna - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪La Creperie - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Hostel near Cairns Esplanade
Consider a stay at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort and take advantage of a nightclub, a poolside bar, and concerts and live shows. Adventurous travelers may like the volleyball and basketball at this hostel. In addition to a terrace and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • An outdoor pool
  • Self parking (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and a vending machine
  • A computer station, ATM/banking services, and multilingual staff
  • An elevator, evening entertainment, and luggage storage
Room features
All 120 rooms have comforts such as air conditioning, as well as amenities like free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with showers
  • 45-inch flat-screen TVs with digital channels
  • Communal kitchens and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

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YHA Cairns Central
  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, 206 reviews
The price is ₩94,192
₩103,612 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 19 - Nov 20
YHA Cairns Central

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Covered self parking on site (AUD 12 per day)

Food and drink

  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Basketball
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Concerts/live shows
  • Evening entertainment
  • Nightclub
  • Outdoor pool
  • TV in common areas
  • Volleyball

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Computer station

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • 4 floors
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower

Entertainment

  • 45-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children 18 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 18 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Covered self parking fee: AUD 12 per day
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

Children 18 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Property is also known as

Gilligan's Backpackers
Gilligan's Backpackers Cairns
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort Cairns
Gilligans Backpackers Hotel And Resort
Gilligans Backpackers Hotel Cairns
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel Resort Cairns
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel Resort
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Does Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort?

As of Nov 16, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort on Nov 17, 2025 start from ₩194,434, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is available for AUD 12 per day.

What time is check-in at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort located?

Located in Cairns Central Business District, this hostel is within a 10-minute walk of The Cairns Museum and Cairns Esplanade. Cairns Historical Society Museum and Reef Teach are also within 5 minutes. Cairns Station is 8 minutes by foot.

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Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 141 out of 430 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 188 out of 430 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 430 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 430 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 19 out of 430 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Kaidan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Jayme

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Be warned that it’s very loud on weekend nights as the club is attached to the hostel
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

mikael

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Party hostel/ hotel

Poor cleaning of the rooms. Should be 24 check out, the have just put a security man in the reception, that didn't know anything about it. Just write your email and room number. I hope i will get my 40 dollars back. This is bad service.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The waterfall pool is brilliant The bar and the girls are awesome
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claudia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect for the traveller who wants it all within your fingertips. It is a 10min walk to the fleet terminal. If you are a light sleeper, do not book this place because there is a nightclub beneath the hotel that is active. Perfect for the party goer and it is central in town.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Atsushi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
good
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very central to business centre
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Denise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed a week I a 4 bed all female dorm, plus ensuite. I was very surprised that it was not bunk beds as being the last person in I would have been up the top. The room was clean and cleaners came in day as a person left. Highly recommend Gilligans.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

Okay visit

The place is okay, it’s a party hostel after all. The noise from the club wasn’t heard from our room but the party bus was so loud it was as though they were parked at the end of the bed 😂. Staff were pretty unhelpful, we were travelling as a couple. It could be that they are used to dealing with idiots/drunks all day so by the time you get there they aren’t very welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Was pretty decent

Booked a private room with en-suite bathroom. Was great to have privacy after a long flight to Cairns. Room was great and clean, with other amenities like a kettle and mugs, iron and board and a small security safe. Downsides were that the shower door didn't fully shut (so the bathroom floor flooded a bit), one of the overhead lights didn't work, and you couldn't control the air-con strength or temperature so it was a bit cold for my liking. But extra blankets were provided, so was all good!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wow

WOW! First impressions count and they really hit the nail on the head at gilligans, not only is it way bigger than i expected but it also comes with some incredible on site facilities! Met by friendly and professional staff at check in which made me feel very settled. Once i got to my room not only is it the biggest hostel room ive ever stayed in but also the best layed out, looked fresh and tidy and everything was clean! I was staying in a 4 bed female dorm, all single beds so no having to go up and down bunk beds cause lets face it theyre fun as kids but not great as adults. The room came with a good sized balcony with seating, a good sized wardrobe, enough room to store a big suitcase under the bed aswell as room around the bed, mini lockers and separate shower, sink and toilet so no having to wait to go to the toilet if someone is in the shower! Great A/C that keeps the room nice and cool! All the beds come with a light and 2 plugs as well as 2 usb sockets incase you forget your adapter. Ontop of all this each level has its own common area with comfortable seating and very spacious and then its own kitchen, also spacious and you actually have room to cook stuff unlike other hostels i have stayed in where you are having to share the same space. Just need to fix a few of the lights on the level as it made it a tad dark. Finally as i was only staying here for 5 days i spoke to the very friendly on site travel team who got me some great deals on my activities. On the whole i
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Hostel is large, loud and out of date.

This hostel has potential both on the accommodation side and the nightclub side. The events they put on in the nightclub are about 15 years out of date, wet t shirt contest, jelly wrestling competition, pole dancing competition, it reminded me of Christina Agueleria vs Britney Spears, and predictably the nightclub was full of almost exclusively men, it's not the sort of events that attract any women at all. The hostel had good kitchen areas, and a TV area on every floor, it would be good if the hostel/nightclub put on some more relaxed social events, because the hostel didn't end up being very social, people were a bit overwhelmed by the sexual nature of all of the social activities. Some more neutral activities like drunk bingo or pub quiz, earlier in the evening would have helped the hostel to be more social. Every room had a balcony and an ensuite bathroom which was nice, but in the room there was no control for the air conditioning which was always far too cold, and so the sliding doors onto the balconies was left open to warm up the room, and that meant the air conditioning was often broken. There are no lockers in the rooms either which is not ideal for a party hostel. Bed linen was provided and the beds were comfortable. But they didn't have privacy curtains, or a personal light, which again is the norm nowadays. They did have a plug next to every bed though. Room cleaning starts before check out at 9am. This hostel has potential but it is just out of date.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Saiful

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is my wonderful experience to stay in this hostel. Very lively filled with tourists from all over the world! One of the best one I have stayed so far.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great cheap place to stay
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zacheria Manson

Liked: Amenities
It was a great stay. I have stayed there twice now and will be back
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Judith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Wenn einem bewusst ist, dass man eben in nem Backpacker Hotel mit Kneipe, Spaß und Party nächtigt und es daher lauter zugehen kann, bekommt man wirklich große Doppelzimmer, Betten sind top, Bäder ebenfalls und die Balkone sind auch riesig! Mitarbeitende alle durchweg freundlich
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Lorna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My first time staying in a “hostel”, and
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Kaique

Liked: Room comfort

Check-in very late

The hostel is ok but the bedroom wasn't too clean and also the time of the check-in is unbelievably late (2p.m), I arrived at 9a.m there and I couldn't do the checkin (even at 12p.m), so I stayed there doing nothing until 2p.m.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Dirty lots of construction
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place. Exceeded our expectations. With a hostile I wasn't expecting such a large and very clean room. And the place has everything. Excellent thank you.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved it, was the last 2 nights of our 4 weeks trip that we started in Melbourne, would definitely stay here again if I visit cairns again
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome room mates, friendly helpful staff and absolutely amazing rates, music and bar staff. Met sooooo many lovely locals that were only too willing to help with anything I needed to know. 🍹🍻🏝
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Surprisingly very large private rooms (bigger and better than many 4 star hotels in Cairns) Bathrooms cleaner and better kept than many hotels in Cairns- grounds staff are champions. Elevator could do with some attention otherwise excellent. Its not quiet after 9pm BUT thats the point of staying at a backpackers always something going on. Very great place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025