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Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

2.0 star property
Live entertainment and sports action await at this lively spot where guests can enjoy basketball and volleyball games between poolside relaxation

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

  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Business services
The current price is AED 504
AED 557 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Mar - 10 Mar

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
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 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
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 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
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 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
Daily housekeeping
  • 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
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 35 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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
Daily housekeeping
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 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
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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

About the neighborhood

Located in Cairns Central Business District, a neighborhood in Cairns, Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort is near a train station and near the beach. Cairns Performing Arts Centre and The Cultural Place are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Marlin Marina. Reef Teach and Esplanade Lagoon are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkeling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and skydiving. Visit our Cairns travel guide
View more Hostels in Cairns
Map
57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns, QLD, 04870

What's nearby

  • One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.
    Cairns Central Shopping Centre
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Cairns Night Markets showing markets as well as a small group of people
    Cairns Night Markets
    5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort
    Cairns Esplanade
    6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Reef Hotel Casino
    5 min walk - 0.5 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
  • BOBZIP
    4 min walk
  • La Creperie
    2 min walk
  • Annee's Caphê
    5 min walk
  • Fetta's Greek Taverna
    1 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), books, and a billiards/pool table
  • A 24-hour front desk, a computer station, and a vending machine
  • Luggage storage, evening entertainment, and a front-desk safe
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

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  • Air conditioning
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The price is AED 210
AED 231 total
includes taxes & fees
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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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 24 February 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort on 9 March 2026 start from 153.08, including 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 Reef Teach and Cairns Esplanade. The Cultural Place and Cairns Regional Gallery are also within 10 minutes. Cairns Station is 8 minutes by foot.

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Reviews

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort Reviews

8.0

Very Good

8.0

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

7.8

Staff & service

7.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 145 out of 438 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 189 out of 438 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 59 out of 438 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 438 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 19 out of 438 reviews

Reviews

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

Tamara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean room, staff were friendly, central to cairns, pool isn’t the cleanest but good place to lounge. It gets rowdy at night so bring earplugs if your not in the hustle and bussel
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 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

10/10 Excellent

Yuki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a great time at the bar and the information on activities was excellent.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 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

craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay, safe and all kinds of activities inside the property - two girls travelling alone.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect stay for a few nights to be able to visit cairns. Pool was lush, right next to the bar which does turn into a club. Can be very loud even in the "quiet rooms".
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Ben

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

cairns week

Great hotel in central Sydney and close to everything
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Jacob

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A lot of shopping and dining places are really close to Gilligan's which were helpful. Plus sufficient room for transport to park right outside the motel
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

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

An excellent economical stay

Stayed in a 4th floor room with an excellent ensuite - toilet and basin separate to shower room. 4 single beds, can chose single gender or mixed. Computers in reception/lounge area. New-ish 4 storey building, a self catering kitchen on each floor and well equipped. The bigger dormitories are on the lower floors, so busier kitchens and lounge areas. Good outdoor pool with lots of outdoor furniture. The accomodation is basically over the Gilligan’s nightclub which has something on every night. Rooms are not totally sound proofed but it was ok for me. Really convenient position, walk to most places. Also a few minutes walk to the bus stop. $1 all day bus travel for anyone. A great stay for young or older people.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 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

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

8/10 Good

Tyler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My room was a 4 person room which was decent overall. The pillows were small and not sufficient. The rooms a/c barely worked and the room had a damp / wet smell and feel the whole time. This is the perfect location in town if you want a party as they have stuff going on every night. The location is perfect for anything you would wanna do in town and the price was right for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

4/10 Poor

David

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The accommodation mux of people. Welcoming reception staff. Had no hot water in room 402 shower or hand basin. Fire alarm was set off unable to get through exited door on ground floor and the floor area at bottom of stair well smelt like a sewer
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

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

Sharni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Receptionist were lovely and this is such a good vibe rooms are clean location is perfect
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed a 1 night stay at Gilligans in the Deluxe Room. It was spacious, quite and had a balcony and own bathroom. Fridge with kettle and tea etc. Room service available and you can make use of the communial kitchen and lounge area and pool. Great bar downstairs, which you couldn't hear from upstairs. Overall was a really nice place to stay and I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

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

6/10 Okay

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Basic hotel/hostel clean and comfortable, staff friendly and knowledgeable.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kaidan

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

8/10 Good

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quick to help you out with your checking in, and also quick to help you with some changes you have to make eventually.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 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

8/10 Good

saori

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I enjoyed my stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025