BUG Review
This hostel is in a breezy complex with a wide range of accommodation. Dorms are for the most part very clean and well maintained, with air-conditioning and new tile flooring. There is a central courtyard with a large swimming pool and a spacious kitchen which could use some new appliances but is cleaned regularly. There is also a tour desk and a good café with cheap breakfast and lunch. They offer free evening meals and a frequent shuttle bus into town, as well as free parking. It may be a good place to meet other backpackers, but the strict curfew keeps things quiet at night. Most guests go into town for their free meal and end up staying out to party elsewhere.
Price Dorm bed $22 ($21 VIP) Single room $42 ($40 VIP) Double/twin room $$60-70 ($58-68 VIP)
Prices include an evening meal Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Reception Open 7.30am-10.30pm daily
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Pros:
They have a pool!! It's close to the esplanade
Cons:
Not much in the kitchen, they try hard to sell you tours
cheekycheese
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(3)
We had a week here. The walls are thin so when we had noisey neighbours we knew about it at 4.30AM!! That was really bad and annoying, why have 4 guys next door to a couple? Anyway, the pool is great, and the rooms and bathrooms are cleaned well. There isnt much in the kitchen because they give you free meal vouchers, which can be upgraded to better food! The location is okay and they do a free bus into town if you feel lazy in the heat which is great. The reception do try and sell you tours which I have to say we did find cheaper in town, but it depends what you're after in regards to booking a tour and getting free nights stay or whatever.
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(Review ID: 791)
Boxy looking place but clean and well run, August 29, 2006
Excellent kitchen, well stocked and loads of room. Here I got some good advice from the staff, not just for tours but on general travel advice and how to plan my trip around Australia. Affiliated with The Woolshed (local meat-market and beer spilling backpacker hangout), ignore the free meal (slop) and upgrade for 6 bucks (acceptable). 5 Mins from Johno's Bar (live music) and the asian food hall. Seems to have an older crowd than other hostels I stayed in Cairns therefore a little more relaxed but keep down the noise after 12. If you want to party, stay at The Calypso. Theres no tv room but the pool is a decent size.
3 of
3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 150)
Pleasing hostel in a good location, February 18, 2006
Pros:
Our double room had air conditioning - Yes!
Cons:
Not right in the centre of Cairns - could be bad or good.
michrich
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Picked us up at the bus station and took us to the hostel, pointing out some landmarks on the way.
We got a double room en-suite with aircon for 60 bucks which we thought was good value.
Walked into Cairns centre, which took about 10 mins.
Got our free meals at the Woolshed, or upgraded for 6 bucks to a T-bone steak or ribs - which was excellent. Woolshed does pints too, not schooners! Bonus.
Hostel has everything you need, good sitting areas, not too close to centre so is a bit quieter than the likes of Gilligans or the other Caravella's.
Overall a positive experience and a good time.
