You might have the idea by now that our region is packed with fantastic places to visit and exciting things to do during your holidays. And you're dead right! But you'll soon find that it is also packed with terrific backpackers hostels and budget accommodation options. Wherever you're travelling in Far North Queensland, there's sure to be a great hostel just around the corner, and... they're all on this page!
FOR CAIRNS CITY, PLEASE VISIT OUR DEDICATED CAIRNS BACKPACKERS HOSTELS PAGE. OR SCROLL DOWN TO DISCOVER ALL THE DIFFERENT BACKPACKERS HOSTELS IN TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND, GROUPED BY LOCATION.
BACKPACKERS HOSTELS NORTH OF CAIRNS
PORT DOUGLAS BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
GLOBAL PALACE PORT DOUGLAS
38 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 5641
Global @ Port is centred on the Main St in the hub of Port Douglas, 100m walk from the famous 4 Mile beach. This boutique hostel is stylish, modern and boasts tropical living at its best. The open plan design of the common area and kitchen opens out onto a large balcony with magnificent views of Port Douglas and its surroundings.
You are a short stroll to all nightlife, restaurants, cafes, supermarket, galleries, marina and loads of funky boutiques.
Global @ Port have selection of modern, spacious, air-conditioned 4, 6 and 10 bed dorms or upgrade to a private double with en-suite. Full-length mirrors and funky storage shelves are standard in all rooms, all beds are made up with your linen supplied. They offer friendly service and everything you need.
Live the dream @ Global Backpackers.
DOUGIES BACKPACKERS RESORT
111 Davidson Street, Port Douglas
Phone (07) 4099 6200 / Fax (07) 4099 6047
Dougies offer twin, double and share rooms, all of them air conditioned.
PARROT FISH LODGE
37-39 Warner Street, Port Douglas
Phone (07) 4099 5011 / Fax (07) 4099 5044
Providing a very warm welcome and offering a level of comfort, security and fun which is second to none, ParrotFish Lodge is destined to be the centre of Port Douglas' renowned backpacker community.
PORT O'CALL LOGDE YHA
Cnr Port Street and Craven Close, Port Douglas
Phone (07) 4099 5422 / Fax (07) 4099 5495
Port O'call offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit everybody's taste and budget.
MOSSMAN BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
KOALA BEACH RESORT
Cape Kimberley Road, Mossman
Phone (07) 4090 7500 / Fax (07) 4090 7501
Nestled in the rainforest, bordered by Cape Tribulation National Park on three sides and Cape Kimberley Beach on the other lies the resort. Enjoy 165 acres of untouched rainforest and the Coral Sea right on your doorstep.
PK's Jungle Village voted No3 in the Australian Traveller Magazine's "Best Affordable Accommodation under $150 per night". The only budget accommodation in the heart of Cape Tribulation, PK's offers doubles and dormitory style accommodation, all with air-conditioning, as well as camping facilities in a pristine lush tropical setting of the Daintree with just a short walk to the beach.
Enjoy any of the many activities they offer, or just lounge around the large pool soaking up the warm tropical sun and then in the evening it all happens at PK's famous Jungle Bar. A full night of fun and activities.
CROCODYLUS VILLAGE RESORT
Lot 5, Buchanan Creeek Road, Cow Bay (MAP)
Phone (07) 4098 9166 / Fax (07) 4098 9131
Crocodylus is a truly unique hostel resort situated at Cow Bay, between the World Heritage rainforest areas of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef. The resort is hidden under a tall stand of some of the remaining lowland rainforest on the Queensland tropical coast. Crocodylus Village adjoins the Baileys Creek section of Cape Tribulation National Park.
Crocodylus Village Resort features share huts and ensuite huts, there's a small well stocked bar and a landscaped swimming pool with a sunbaking area in close proximity to the central living area where you will find a very comfortable lounge area, pool table and dart boards.
Pay for 6 nights, get 7th night free
COOKTOWN BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
PAM'S PLACE - Hostel and Motel
Cnrm Boundary and Charlotte Streets, Cooktown
Phone (07) 4069 5166 / Fax (07) 4069 5964
Our fully furnished well equipped hostel accommodation is your home away from home with its beautifully appointed large community areas such as the kitchen, dining, bar and entertaining areas giving you room to unwind and relax down under aussie style in Cooktown.
ATHERTON TABLELANDS AND OUTBACK BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
Want to wake up to the birds singing?After a great nights sleep. Want personalised old fashioned service, rarely seen these days? Then a visit to the family run Kuranda Backpackers is a must. This spacious Queenslander built in 1907 has stunning leadlight windows, rooms to cater to everybody's needs and is set on 1 ˝ acres of spectacular tropical gardens with a relaxing pool.
ATHERTON BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
ATHERTON TRAVELLERS LODGE
37 Alice Street, Atherton
Phone (07) 4091 3552
Atherton Travellers Lodge offer different styles of accommodation: single, twins and double rooms, dorm style accommodations and family rooms. The hostel is located a short stroll to town centre.
YUNGABURRA BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
ON THE WALLABY BACKPACKERS
34 Eacham Road, Yungaburra
Phone / Fax (07) 40952031
Well presented, excellent value-for-money and warmly welcoming, On The Wallaby is everything you've ever wanted or imagined budget accommodation could be. Free platypus spotting.
MOUNT ISA BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
TRAVELLERS HAVEN
Corner Spence and Pamela Streets, Mount Isa
Phone (07) 4743 0313 / Fax (07) 4743 4007.
Established in 1988, The Haven has long provided weary backpackers with a nice, quiet place to "chill out". At The Haven, they give you what you really need - clean and comfortable accommodation at an affordable price!
CODGE LODGE
63 Rankin Street, Innisfail
Phone (07) 40618055 / Fax (07) 40618155
The best working hostel in town, voted No.1 by Lonely Planet. Work and transport arranged. FREE internet, laundry, table tennis and cable TV. Discount tours, weekly bus trips, theme nights and huge pool. Bookings strongly recommended.
INNISFAIL BUDGET BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
Phone (07) 4061 7833 / Fax (07) 4061 8188
Innisfail Budget Backpackers Hostel is conveniently located at within walking distance to Innisfail town centre. All the rooms are air-conditioned. The hotel can offer you a job in agricultural industries.
CARDWELL BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
CARDWELL CENTRAL BACKPACKERS
6 Brasenose Street, Cardwell
Phone (07) 4066 8404
Cardwell Central Backpackers is a modern hostel conveniently situated close to the bus terminal, shops, pub and beach. The hostel features dorm rooms (for up to four persons), double bedrooms, pool and BBQ area. Fruit picking work available.
CARDWELL BACKPACKERS
178 Bowen Street, Cardwell
Phone (07) 4066 8014 / Fax (07) 4066 8014
Cardwell Backpackers provide working opportunities for backpackers to pick fruit and veg in the Cardwell/Tully area. This includes picking pineapples, pumpkins, bananas and sugar cane.
HINCHINBROOK HOSTEL
175 Bruce Highway, Cardwell
Phone (07) 4066 8648 / Fax (07) 4066 8910
The lower level houses a large well equipped kitchen suitable for group cooking, separate male and female amenities and a large outdoor sitting area. The upper level consists of four bedrooms (four beds per room), with interconnecting, lockable doors and is ideal for backpackers, educational and adventure groups.
HINCHINBROOK HOP
186 Victoria Street, Cardwell
Phone (07) 4066 8671
This is a small, quiet and clean hostel with a fully equipped kitchen, a swimming pool, internet access, pool table and TV room.
More information coming soon...
BANANA BARRACKS
50 Butler Street, Tully
Phone (07) 4068 0455
'Banana Barracks' is a purpose built working backpackers hostel, which means that you can get work picking fruit if you are ready to work hard. The hostel offers bungalows, equipped with a fridge, TV and sink, and 8-share budget dorms, with only beds in there.
Scotty's Beach House is the only hostel on the beach with a bar and grill. To get the full Mission Beach experience, you need to live the atmosphere at Scotty's. MUSIC, PEOPLE, ATMOSPHERE!!
Relaxing hammocks in a garden setting with the largest pool in town, great music playing in the open yard makes it easy to meet new people. For the people that like to party, our adjacent bar and grill offers excellent meals at discount prices and happy hour that offers cheap jugs of beer and specials on basic spirits. For people that wish to have a quiet one, our 24 hour kitchen and 24 hour television room are ready for you. No matter who you are, how old you are or what you want to do, Scotty's Beach House is the place for everything.
TREEHOUSE YHA
Frizelle Road (off Bingil Bay Road), Bingil Bay (MAP)
Phone (07) 4068 7137 / Fax (07) 4068 7028
The Treehouse Hostel YHA is a unique backpacker accommodation hostel. This spacious, island-style, pole-framed timber building is situated in the tropical heart of Bingil Bay, very close to Mission Beach. The Treehouse Hostel features lofty ceilings and a sundeck overlooking a stunning pool area and all will enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding tropical ranforest.
There are sun lounges, hammocks on shaded verandahs, regular BBQ meals, the latest international newspapers and magazines, a great little library, CD player and board games. There's also internet so you can stay in touch. The atmosphere is unmistakably friendly and laid back. Mingling amonst others is the way it is at the Treehouse Hostel.
Mission Beach backpacker accommodation at Treehouse Hostel YHA comes in four flavours so no matter what your preference, the Treehouse can offer you just what you've been looking for. Great accommodation that's affordable and very friendly.
Relax and unwind at Mission Beach Retreat's modern building and make use of their clean facilities that are always kept in great condition. The hostel even has a tropical pool with a waterfall and shade cover to keep it cool if you don’t feel like wandering to the beach for a swim.
Mission Beach Retreat, located right in the centre of Mission Beach and within easy access to the beach, offers different styles of backpackers accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes: twin and double rooms and four share dorms. There is also an open-air kitchen with a full range of utensils and cooking equipment for your use. The kitchen is always kept clean, and the modern facilities make cooking easy. The hotel also offers free rainforest nature walks, free tea and coffee and free courtesy bus pick up if required.
A relaxing and fun environment that is also quiet and convenient.
ABSOLUTE BACKPACKERS
28 Wongaling Beach Road, Mission Beach
Phone (07) 4068 8317 / Fax (07) 4068 8616
Absolute Backpackers offer cool, clean and comfortable backpackers accommodation. The hostel features female and mixed share dorms, twins and double rooms, with air-conditioning or ceiling fans. Some rooms open to a wide verandah with hammocks.
Reeflodge has it all. There's a B.B.Q. area with lockers and T.V. as well as a pool table gym and games room. There is also a second T.V. area out the back of the kitchen, which has all you need to cook. All they ask is that you please clean up and don't be like the "Pig fairies" who drop in every now and then.
Reeflodge is located in the Townsville city heart with only a 10 minute walk from the Transit Centre bus terminal and a 2 minute walk from the Magnetic Island ferry terminal. The Strand and beach is only There is only a 2 minute walk to the city's beautiful Flinders Mall for all your shopping needs and if you are into the latest movies, a Birch Carroll & Coyle picture theatre is just another 2 minutes away.
ADVENTURERS BACKPACKER RESORT
79 Palmer, Townsville
Phone (07) 4721 1522 / Fax (07) 4721 3251
Offering free tea and coffee, barbecues, and many other complimentary amenities, Adventurers Backpackers Resort provides double, single and share accommodation in separate or mixed rooms.
CIVIC GUEST HOUSE
262 Walker St, Townsville QLD 4810
Civic Guest House offers clean and tidy budget, shared and private accommodation in the form of dorms, twin, double, single and ensuite rooms. All come with linen and some the option of a fan or air conditioning.
GLOBETROTTERS BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
121 Flinders Street East, Townsville
Phone (07) 4771 5000 / Fax (07) 4721 5945
Globetrotters Backpackers Hostel offers a range of clean, comfortable and quality accommodation options with the choice of a dorm bed or your own ensuited motel style room.
ORCHID GUEST HOUSE
34 Hale Street, Townsville
Phone (07) 4771 6683
Cleanliness is guaranteed and the washing machine is free of charge. Some rooms are ensuite and all have their own TV and fridge.
MAGNETIC ISLAND BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
BUNGALOW BAY KOALA VILLAGE
40 Horseshoe Bay Road, Horseshoe Bay (MAP)
Phone (07) 4778 5577 / Fax (07) 4778 5781
Tollfree 1800 285 577
Bungalow Bay Koala Village backs onto national park in Horseshoe Bay and is a YHA resort with 25 private and 5 dormitory style bungalows. Camping in either powered or non powered sites in a bush setting with native free ranging wildlife is just a bonus along with the Koala Sanctuary and Learn to Dive opportunities. The resort features an open deck bar with restaurant, internet facilities, tour desk and landscaped pool. Bungalow Bay Koala Village is an Advanced Eco Certified Tourism product and winner of Australia's Best Backpacking Accommodation in the 2007 Australian Tourism awards.
TRAVELLERS HIDEAWAY
32 Picnic Street, Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island
Phone / Fax (07) 4778 5314
With all day funky tunes and friendly staff it's a great place to chill out and relax. Take a break from your busy backpacker's life and recharge at Hideaway for a while, before you move on to the next party place…
BASE BACKPACKERS MAGNETIC ISLAND
1 Nelly Bay Road, Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island
Phone / Fax (07) 4778 5777
Base Magnetic Island is the all new base with luxurious bures for couple, stylish dorms for singles & the best backpackers Island bar and cafe around.
ARCADIA HOTEL & FAMILY RESORT (MAGNUMS)
7 Marine Parade, Arcadia Bay
Phone (07) 4778 5177 / Fax (07) 4778 5939
Arcadia Hotel & Family Resort (Magnums on Magnetic) is located on two of Magnetic Islands most popular beaches and all rooms have an ocean view.
ARCADIA BEACH GUESTHOUSE
27 Marine Parade, Arcadia, Magnetic Island
Phone (07) 4778 5668
Single,Double,Twin share or Share accommodation is available at very competitive rates and we offer a 5th night FREE! Our rooms all feature fans, free linen and towels.
The Malpass Hotel, in the centre of Home Hill, provides four-star backpacker accommodation in four-share rooms at affordable rates. As the Burdekin is one of the most productive farming areas in Australia, there is an abundance of seasonal work available from fruit and vegetable picking, packing in sheds, general farm work, and bar work. Transport to and from jobs is available for guests at the Malpass Hotel.
All rooms are air-conditioned and have a fridge provided. Linen is also provided, and cooking facilities are available, along with an ATM and EFTPOS.
Coming soon – internet café, common room / games room.
AYR BACKPACKERS
52-56 Wilmington Street, Ayr
Phone (07) 4783 5837 / Fax (07) 4783 1668
Ayr Backpackers is a working backpacker hostel for the Burdekin District, where you can stay with a typical Australian family in a warm and friendly environment.
DELTA BACKPACKERS
139 Queen Street, Ayr
Phone (07) 4783 3991 / Fax (07) 4783 3318
The Delta is a working hostel in Ayr, offering work year round, huge pool and poolside bar, beach volleyball, free DVD library and high speed internet cafe. The hostel is only 60 metres from the Ayr bus stop! Come work, stay and play at the Delta.
A clean friendly hostel where finding you work is their priority.
Doubles with air con, TV/DVD and bar fridge just $185 per person per week including transport to work and back.
Large dorms are just $160 or $165 (girls dorm with air con) per person per week, also including transport.
BOWEN BACKPACKERS
Beach End of Herbert Street, Bowen (MAP)
Phone (07) 4786 3433 / Fax (07)4786 1073 www.bowenbackpackers.net
Work Work Work! Come work in paradise!
Bowen Backpackers is the best working hostel in town!!! It has an excellent reputation with the local farmers which enables them to provide good, reliable work and information.
4 Share Fan Dorm $145 per week.
4 Share A/C Dorm $155 per week.
Seasonal work and transport are available between April and December.
GRANDVIEW HOTEL
5 Herbert Street, Bowen
Phone (07) 4786 4022 / Fax (07) 4786 3773
Located in the colonial style 100 year old magnificent Grandview Hotel, this backpackers accommodation is just 100 metres from the Beach, Shops, and Olympic Pool.
REEFERS BY THE BEACH
Cnr of Soldiers & Horseshoe Bay Roads, Bowen
Phone (07) 4786 4199 / Fax (07) 4786 4570
Reefers is a resort style backpackers hostel in Bowen Nth Qld. Situated 45 mins north of Airlie Beach we enjoy glorious weather all year round. We offer self contained units set in tropical gardens with all the facilities including internet, pool, spa and a stack more...
Magnums Airlie Beach has the best of both worlds, located in the heart of Airlie the hostel is set back in a lush tropical rainforest setting. So you can relax on the deck or get wrecked on the deck at magnums famous party board walk and bars.
Magnums is located in the hearth of Airlie entertainment, shopping precinct opposite Lagoon. With wide rang of accommodation to suit all budgets, from 10-share to deluxe cabins, to private doubles and twins, Magnums Backpackers ensures that you will have the bed you are chasing.
Book overnight sailing and get 2 nights for free.
BUSH VILLAGE BOUTIQUE BACKPACKERS
2 Saint Martins Road, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4946 6177
Fax (07) 4946 7227
Tollfree 1800 809 256 www.bushvillage.com.au
A genuine family run hostel. If you are tired of being treated like a number in the big hostels and are looking for a more personalised touch, Bush Village offers a friendly relaxed atmosphere with quality holiday accommodation. 18 Self Contained cabins all with kitchens,cooking facilities, tv, refrigerator, and ensuite bathroom. There are Doubles, Twins, Studios, 4 share and 5 share.
Rates include all linen and breakfast consisting of a choice of 4 cereals, 3 types of bread for toast with jams and spreads, tea and coffee, fresh fruit platter and freshly cooked muffins. Management and staff take pride in offering quiet, clean and secure cabin accommodation which also represents excellent value for money. Swimming pool, spa, hammocks, darts, internet cafe and surround sound movie theatre.
Located right in the heart of Airlie Beach and centrally located across from the lagoon, Beaches Backpackers provides the perfect departure point for all Whitsunday Sailing trips – a must do on the East Coast! Live entertainment in Airlie Beach's BEST bar & bistro every night! Spend your days relaxing by the pool, in the games room, playing pool or planning your travel and catching up with friends at our Internet Café and travel desk. A communal lounge, kitchen and laundry plus free pickup from the bus stop makes this hostel your home away from home. All rooms include ensuite, air-conditioning, TV and bar fridge!
AIRLIE WATERFRONT BACKPACKERS
The Esplanade, Airlie Beach
Phone (07) 4948 1300
Located only 100 metres from the main street, you will be close to all the action but can still chose when to leave the noise and crowds behind and grab some rest.
BACKPACKERS BY THE BAY
12 Hermitage Drive, Airlie Beach
Phone (07) 4946 7267 / Tollfree 1800 646 994
A medium sized budget accommodation, sleeping up to 70 people. The resort has magnificent ocean views and it is quietly tucked away on the hillside overlooking the Whitsunday islands and located less than a five minute walk to the cafes, shopping and nightlife of Airlie Beach.
KOALA BEACH RESORT
Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
Phone (07) 4946 6001 / Fax (07) 4946 6761
Located opposite Airlie Beach Lagoon and close to shops, restaurants, bars, etc, Koala Beach Resort is a budget accommodation featuring a Morocco's Party Bar where backpackers will enjoy every night of their stay.
First of all, you have to get to Cairns, right? For the purposes of this "budget transport" section, I'm going to assume that you're already familiar with the bargain flights that can sometimes be found on Australia's very competitive domestic airlines, and the prices and services offered by Queensland Rail- the state rail network- and the major bus companies such as Greyhound. These popular options are discussed on our main TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT page. You're here to find budget options, so let's start with the cheapest way to get to Cairns; hitchhiking.
Hitchhiking is free so you can't get much cheaper than that! But it's not always the most comfortable or reliable method of getting from A to B, and there are some inherent potential risks, however small. If you're not confident to hitchhike alone, try to find another backpacker to hitch with you. There are a nuber of tricks you can use to improve your chances of getting a ride (I should know!) and you should take certain simple precautions to minimize any perceived safety risks. If you want to know more about hitchhiking in Australia -and particularly in Tropical North Queensland- please visit our HITCHHIKING page.
The next cheapest way to cross the large expanses of country that we have in Australia is ridesharing. Unfortunately, Australia does not have a very developed ridesharing network, as some European countries do. Hopefully, in the future we will become more comfortable with this very social and environmentally friendly mode of travel. You can place a 'ride wanted' ad FOR FREE on our CAIRNS UNLIMITED CLASSIFIEDS or post a note on the messageboard at your backpackers hostel. It's not uncommon for backpackers travelling around Australia to purchase a car when they arrive. Generally these people would be glad of a passenger, to have someone to share the fuel costs and maybe even the driving.
FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED BUS, TRAIN AND FLIGHT INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR TRANSPORT PAGE.
GLOBAL PALACE PORT DOUGLAS
CAPE TRIBULATION BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
PK'S JUNGLE VILLAGE
CROCODYLUS VILLAGE RESORT
KURANDA BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
SCOTTY'S BEACH HOUSE
TREEHOUSE YHA
MISSION BEACH RETREAT
REEFLODGE BACKPACKERS
BUNGALOW BAY KOALA VILLAGE
MALPASS HOTEL
BARNACLES BACKPACKERS
BOWEN BACKPACKERS
MAGNUMS BACKPACKERS
BUSH VILLAGE BOUTIQUE BACKPACKERS
BEACHES BACKPACKERS
TRANSPORT- HITCHHIKING, RIDESHARING, BACKPACKER BUSES, BUDGET TOURS, BARGAIN RENTALS
