I must say, that I am not very fond of Cairns. Too big, too many tourists, nothing to see. I've stayed at the YHA for the first time. It's a motel-style YHA, with a green courtyard and the rooms surrounding it on two storeys. As everything happens in the courtyard and the rooms are not sound-proof, it can get very loud: People partying until early morning and people getting up early afterward to go on one of the numerous tours. Additionally the rooms have windows one can't close and no mosquito nets - we didn't like that so much. The kitchen is okay, a bit small for all those travellers who want to cook. There is a pool (nice) and an internet corner (limited space). We most probably will not return there.

The first night we stayed we had a room on the upper floor which meant it was fairly quiet. The rooms are very small and stuffy though. For New Year´s Eve we went up to Kuranda but returned on the 1st January for a YHA organised 3-night-tour to Daintree. Although we weren´t allowed to take more than a daypack on the tour they wanted $5 per person for storing our luggage. When we said surly that couldn´t be true they said they didn´t understand the fuss, since it was only 5$. Well, my 5$ dollars to start with and they shouldn´t organize a tour and then not store your luggage. Our room that night was right next to the laundry. It says explicitly on the door that you can´t use the facilities after 10pm. Sure enough at 1am in the morning the machines started to run. When my husband finally found the night manager Juan, he said he had washing to do for the YHA and if we liked we could complain in the morning. The machines ran for over 2 hours so we didn´t have much sleep that night. The girls at reception didn´t think anything of it the next morning and said he had to wash the YHA laundry. Well, they have a second laundry well away from the rooms which he could have used. No apologies, nothing. We had also booked the 2 nights following the tour which under the circumstances we cancelled immediately and stayed at the wonderful Travellers Oasis (Lonely Planet pick, we should have trusted them right away!!) Considering all the choices Cairns offers, do yourselves a favour and stay somewhere else!

Perfect for backpackers in Cairns, location is directly across from Cairns Central Shopping Center and only 5-10 minute walk to Lagoon and Greyhound stop. Kitchen is huge and really clean with plenty of storage facilities. Stayed in Double room and was really basic and clean.

+ Facilities, kitchen, common rooms, pool etc. nice and clean
+ Staff friendly
+ Good location (in the centre of Cairns, close to shops etc.)
- There were ants in our room (but i guess thats quite normal up there)