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Little Drifter Cairns

2.0 star property
Hostel in Cairns, steps from Cairns Esplanade

Choose dates to view prices

The Village Cairns - Hostel is centrally located with a friendly atmosphere. It offers practical amenities like laundry facilities and a lobby TV. Knowledgeable staff provide concierge services and tour assistance, helping guests access nearby attractions easily.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
The current price is AED 335
AED 368 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 7 of 7 rooms

View all photos for Private 4 Bed Room

Private 4 Bed Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 4 Bed Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private 8 Bed Room

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 8 Bed Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private 6 Bed Room

Private 6 Bed Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 6 Bed Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private 6 Bed Female Room

Private 6 Bed Female Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 6 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private 8 Bed Female Room

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 8 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private 4 Bed Female Room

Private 4 Bed Female Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private 4 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Private Queen Room

Private Queen Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Queen Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
4 bathrooms
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the neighborhood

Map
7 Shields St, Unit 1, Cairns, QLD, 4870

What's nearby

  • Cairns Esplanade - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Esplanade Lagoon - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Cairns Marlin Marina - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 9 min walk
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Roti Shack - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Wawawa Izakaya - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Prawn Star - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Crave Cairns - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Corea Corea - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Little Drifter Cairns

Hostel near Cairns Esplanade
Close to Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Little Drifter Cairns provides a terrace, laundry facilities, and more. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks like:
  • Concierge services, a TV in the lobby, and luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All 54 rooms include comforts such as air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • 4 bathrooms with showers

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Deluxe Studio Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed | Premium bedding, down comforters, desk, blackout drapes

The Abbott Boutique Hotel

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Soundproof rooms
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,003 reviews
The price is AED 403
AED 443 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
The Abbott Boutique Hotel

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Things to do

  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 detached shared bathrooms
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shower

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2 percent

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Freedom Cairns Cairns
Freedom Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns
Freedom Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Freedom Cairns
The Village Cairns
Freedom Cairns Hostel
The Village Cairns Hostel
Little Drifter Cairns Cairns
Little Drifter Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Little Drifter Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Is Little Drifter Cairns pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Little Drifter Cairns?

As of 7 November 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Little Drifter Cairns on 10 November 2025 start from $97.62, 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.

How much is parking at Little Drifter Cairns?

Little Drifter Cairns doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Little Drifter Cairns?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Little Drifter Cairns?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Little Drifter Cairns located?

Located in Cairns Central Business District, this hostel is steps from Cairns Regional Gallery and Cairns Esplanade. Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Reef Fleet Terminal are also within 10 minutes. Cairns Station is 9 minutes by foot.

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Little Drifter Cairns Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 182 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 51 out of 182 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 20 out of 182 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 182 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 182 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely lovely environment
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice surroundings, easy walking access to everything, good friendly staff, safe, several tour agents around
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachael Jane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Johnnie at reception was so friendly and helpful. Great group of guest, great activities, great vibes!! Loved my stay, thank-you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

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

Location location location

Great location super central for all things cairns
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My first stay in a backpackers that was clean and modern facilities great
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Bianca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I checked in late at night and left early in the morning, only a short stop but the cleanliness of the hostel was pristine, the room was very spacious for a 4 bedder and super neat & clean as well
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Gaku

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laisa

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Can definitely recommend to others
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Skaren

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My stay at The Village was wonderful, from the moment I checked in with Jonnie. He was super friendly and helped us at all times. Our trip to Cairns was to celebrate my mom's birthday, and I can say that we had a very pleasant experience. The place is quiet and well-maintained, exactly what is needed to relax and have a good time.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hasibe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very helpful - one of the staff members even gave me their umbrella as it started to piss it down
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kazuhito

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We will use it again and the day after tomorrow.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Mahmut Ayberk

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

If you are booking a seperate room check details

Booked a room didn't notice there was no en suit bathroom, it's my fault probably. Also no window so it sort of feels like a box, but it was cheap secure and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were friendly, cool and accomodating in my request. Clean as hell! Modern and funky. Chilled vibe. Venue is in a central location and they give you clear instructions on how to enter and exit the establishment. I stayed in a private room and had no issues. Want reasonable place to stay in heart of cairns… look no further - Cheers Freedom Cairns!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

stephen

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I WOULD NOT LET MY ANIMALS STAY HERE AS FOR THE STAFF THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED IN CULTURAL AWARENESS I PAID BOOKINGS AND WAS TOLD I AM NOT ALLOWED TO STAY AND DID NOT RECIEVE ANY PAYMENTS BACK.. WAS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.. PLEASE EXPLAIN???
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Tayla

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It is what it says it is. When you walk in the first gate you walk past a sign that says “ unisex waxing” you start to assume the worst. Facilities were clean, Just like a campsite. Beds however, mine had a stain on it and so friends ‘fluffy’ blanket was not being used. Some PowerPoints didn’t work. No window. We left after the first night to stay elsewhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

6/10 Okay

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Check in was great, friendly and quick. Only issue was coming back to the hostel at night when reception was closed, the app used to open the doors did not work. Rang the phone number but no answer. Another guest had the same issue until a third guest tried and the door opened. They rang back over an hour later once I was asleep. Had the other guest not been able to open the door, I would not have been able to get in. Yet the app worked to open the door to my room
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jaime

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I already wrote a review about this place. It wasn’t advertised as a hostel and when I got there I needed to download an application (Goki), which did not work to open the main door. There wasn’t any manager either, just a guy without a shirt who changed the combination number given to me through email. He obviously knew the combination of my room, even when I changed it in front of him as he looked at it along with his friend. I got a bad vibe about the place, used the restroom, which was filthy, and booked for another place. I WANT EXPEDIA TO REFUND ME.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff seem to not care about this place, the cleaning is surface and thick dust on vents, top of any surface. Floors and bathrooms were cleaned terribly, with thick ingrained dirt around the edges. Cracks tiles, some broken showers, 1 working tumble dryer out of 4, water damage in areas and paint falling off walls in the bed room which were cleaner then the communual areas but defiantly not clean. Staff beside 1 seemed rude and when I asked what the situation with the kitchen was as I have not been there before she said use a box and I couldn't find one as they are overfilled with several “staff” labeled boxes taking up multiple per person. They responded that, it wasn't their problem and I had to figure it out. They had somebags at the bottom which had to be removed as a message was sent to everyoneim not sure what those people did. The kitchen is incredibly dirty, no fresh tea towels available and old dirt almost every where. .the comunnal areas had some sofas which you could see the dirt build up on them. I felt like they didn't care or haven't for a long while. This place could be so much better but its just lacking management and quality staff. I hate to leave a bad review but it was gross. I would add photos but it won't let me
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beatrix Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
War alles top!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

sophie

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hostel was very dirty when we arrived, even though the bathrooms had apparently been cleaned just 1/2 hours before. The rooms felt very much like a prison, literally a bed, hard floor and no windows. I will give credit to the staff who quickly moved us rooms and apologised for the bathrooms but I would not stay again or recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Monique

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property was in a good location but the kitchen was very full and hard to find any space.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela

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

Great hostel option

Really nice hostel, central location with lots to walk to- they held luggage for us from our early flight which was super helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert L

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

A very good backpacker type of place

In a central location, very close to both attractions and amenities (restaurants, bars, shops, bottle (liquor) store.) All star ratings are relative, i.e., based on this being a backpacker dormitory type of place. Needed a place to stay on short notice and was able to get room with just four beds and semi-private pair of toilet + shower rooms. People staying observed the 10 PM quiet hour start. The people out on the street, not so much.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice location and good room.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bianca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
One of the more respectful, cleaner hostels in cairns, perfect for the more matured generation who respect others privacy, females shared bathroom is extremely clean. Aside from requiring maintenance to 2/3 hand basins and regular topup of hand towels/soap, I cannot fault this hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024