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YHA Cairns Central

2.0 star property
Travelers rent bikes right at the property for easy city exploration, with staff ready to share local tips, before cooling off in the refreshing outdoor pool

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Photo gallery for YHA Cairns Central

Outdoor pool - YHA Cairns Central (Cairns)
Garden - YHA Cairns Central (Cairns)
Reception - YHA Cairns Central (Cairns)
Boating - YHA Cairns Central (Cairns)
Property entrance - YHA Cairns Central (Cairns)
YHA Cairns Central is steps from Central Shopping Centre. Guests can relax in the garden, browse the library, or use the business center and in-room WiFi. The property is praised for its helpful staff, and convenient bike rentals make exploring easy.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Business services

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 14 of 14 rooms

View all photos for Bed in 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

View from room

Bed in 10 Share Mixed Dormitory

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4 Share Mixed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Double Room, Shared Bathroom | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
Desk
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • City view

View all photos for Queen Room with Ensuite

Queen Room with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Room with Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Desk
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • City view

View all photos for Double Plus Two with Ensuite

Double Plus Two with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Plus Two with Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Electric kettle
Shared/communal kitchen
Desk
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds and 1 Double Bed
  • City view

View all photos for Bed in 10 Share Female Dormitory

View from room

Bed in 10 Share Female Dormitory

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Male Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Male Dormitory

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory with Ensuite

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6 Share Mixed Dormitory with Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4 Share Female Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4 Share Female Dormitory

Highlights

Air conditioning
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Twin Room with Ensuite

Twin Room with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room with Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Queen Plus Four with Ensuite

Queen Plus Four with Ensuite | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Plus Four with Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 4 Twin Bunk Beds

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About the neighborhood

Located in Cairns Central Business District, a neighborhood in Cairns, YHA Cairns Central is near a train station. Cairns Regional Gallery and Copperlode Dam are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Reef Fleet Terminal and The Cultural Place. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Barlow Park or Cazaly's Stadium. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Cairns travel guide
View more Hostels in Cairns
Map
20-26 McLeod Street, Cairns, QLD, 4870

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
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Cairns Night Markets showing markets as well as a small group of people
    Cairns Night Markets
    6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Cairns Esplanade which includes a pool, swimming and a luxury hotel or resort
    Cairns Esplanade
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Esplanade Lagoon featuring general coastal views, swimming and a pool
    Esplanade Lagoon
    10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Reef Fleet Terminal
    11 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Cairns Station
    4 min walk
  • Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)
    13 min drive

Restaurants

  • T2 Tea
    2 min walk
  • Gong Cha
    2 min walk
  • McDonald's
    3 min walk
  • The Grand Hotel
    1 min walk
  • La Creperie
    4 min walk

About this property

YHA Cairns Central

Hostel near Cairns Esplanade
Take advantage of a garden, laundry facilities, and a business center at YHA Cairns Central. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • An outdoor pool
  • Continental breakfast (surcharge), self parking (surcharge), and express check-out
  • Express check-in, a water dispenser, and a vending machine
  • Multilingual staff, barbecue grills, and luggage storage
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All 52 rooms offer comforts such as air conditioning, as well as amenities like free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Recycling and communal kitchens

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Self parking on site (AUD 5 per day)

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: AUD 12 for adults and AUD 12 for children

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Multilingual staff
  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business center
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • Water dispenser usage encouraged

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Recycling
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox

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

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately AUD 12 for adults and AUD 12 for children
  • Self parking fee: AUD 5 per day

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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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

Cairns Central YHA Hostel
Cairns Central YHA
Cairns Central Yha Backpackers Hotel Cairns
Cairns Central Yha Backpackers Hotel
YHA Cairns Central Cairns
Cairns Central YHA Hostel
YHA Cairns Central Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
YHA Cairns Central Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Does YHA Cairns Central have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is YHA Cairns Central pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is available for AUD 5 per day.

What time is check-in at YHA Cairns Central?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM.

What time is check-out at YHA Cairns Central?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is YHA Cairns Central located?

Located in Cairns Central Business District, this hostel is within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Cairns Esplanade. The Cairns Museum and Cairns Historical Society Museum are also within 10 minutes. Cairns Station is only a 4-minute walk.

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Reviews

YHA Cairns Central Reviews

8.4

Very Good

8.4

Cleanliness

8.2

Location

8.8

Staff & service

8.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 214 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 98 out of 214 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 23 out of 214 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 214 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 214 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Paul

Great staff. Decent amenities. Location is a ten min walk to lagoon
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Had a great stay there. Would recommend staying here. Super central and clean
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Matias

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really good place to be a hostel. The staff is very friendly and nice, the kitchen that’s fine. In the outside of the hostel to many homeless around the place
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Johnny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, nice green area to share and good parking.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ed

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and comfortable!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff lovely, areas clean, quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

KYLE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was my first stay at a hostel. It was great. The folks at the front desk were very friendly and helpful. The kitchen facilities were great. The pool looked nice just didn’t get a chance to use it. All of the people staying there were friendly. Only complaint was there was only one dryer operational in the laundry room. I would highly recommend staying here if you are traveling to Cairns.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hostel, quiet area, easy street parking
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
As a first time backpacker, I couldn't fault this establishment. It was impeccably clean, staff were friendly, bedding and beds impeccably clean and comfortable. Sheets even had iron marks on them. I would go there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Noelene

Disliked: Amenities
Room was clean and comfortable we had ensuited room. Kitchen was messy unwashed cookware and utensils etc . we washed cutlery before using and when finished. Shops all around was great. Staff always helpful. Near to train station which was a priority for us as needed an overnight stay close to the station.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a great place to stay in Cairns! 10-15 minutes walk to the wharf and great shopping and dining. Large kitchen and shared area in the hostel and I loved that they advertised local events and activities happening.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Asher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good, cheap accommodation in central Cairns
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shinji

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff is very kind.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Owal

Liked: Staff & service
Functional room for my stay, rather basic but suited me fine. Small car park was also used, nearly full on arrival but managed to secure a spot. Noise from other guests speaking loudly in common outside areas by the pool in the early morning having breakfast and in the evening having dinner (surprisingly quiet during the day). Noise from a neighbouring bar when I stayed which stopped at 11pm.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Rhiannon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Was great to meet some lovely ladies during my 2 night stay. Staff was excellent and accommodating. The bed was uncomfortable. Convenient location.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Comfortable and good value

Nice hostel with friendly and helpful staff. Private room is very comfortable and good value for money. Hostel itself is quite social through the events they put on every night but relaxed in the day which makes a good mix.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Sudhir

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and helpful staff. Rooms are quiet, compact and good but private bathroom is not split into shower, toilet and sink like in some other YHAs (e.g. Sydney Harbor). So our family of 4 took longer to get ready in the morning though we did use the common bathrooms also to speed things up.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Sok

Liked: Amenities
It’s ok for the price. Stayed in the 10-bed room, which felt quite packed when full. Hardly any privacy. Made a mistake of getting the breakfast, better to just walk across the street to Cairns central for a better proper coffee and breakfast for the same price. Location is excellent and very convenient, although a bit dodgy area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Marcelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I always stay at the YHA Cairns Central because the location is so convenient, right opposite a large, air conditioned shopping centre, buses right outside the door and friendly service but I did find my room hugely over priced, (I stayed in a queen sized room with an ensuite)...$150 a night!! Great facilities, and service but found the price very disappointing; for that price I thought at least a hair dryer, little shampoos, etc and coffee and tea making facilities would have been included
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

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

Good for a short stay

The Hostel it’s self seemed well taken care of with a pretty decent standard of cleanliness, all though many hostel mates didn’t properly clean up after themselves in the kitchen and I found myself re-washing dishes before I could actually use them. The room I stayed in (a 4 bed) was quite spacious and the lockers were big enough for my travel backpack, but the beds themselves were pretty lack luster and I found myself having a hard time getting a comfortable sleep. It does in a pinch, but I probably stayed a day too long for the sake of my back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Hieu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, very convenient location, all (bed linen, towel, ...) very clean, 50m from Cairns big shopping centre with major supermarkets, department store. The communal kitchen is very well organised, clean. Secure car parking for $5 a day. Negative things are the free wifi is only up to 5Mbps during off-peak but very slow and just enough to check email at night (peak-hours), power points should be close to the bed or the floor or the very small table in the room, if your phone charging cables are short then you have to use the power point in the ensuite (if your room has ensuite). In general I would highly recommend this place if you don't expect all the bells and whistle of a 3-4 star hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Don’t have lift

They don’t have life, they only have stairs! But in total they only have a ground floor and a second floor. Things are a bit old except the washing machines and dryer. The air con is not cool enough. The staff is nice and friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryoichi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a great stay, thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

??

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely graetest hottel Ive ever stayed.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great property would recommend
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024