The Jack Backpackers

If you’re looking for a tropical getaway, pack your bags and get ready to explore far north Queenstown. Cairns, known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s gems and an area that should most definitely be on your backpacker’s bucket list. In terms of the weather, you can expect hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The average temperature is 29°C (84.2°F for our American friends), with 62% humidity making it a great summer escape year-round!

Looking for a destination with cheap hostels, Cairns is your new BFF. Hostels in Cairns are relatively cheap and most have their own pools. The party hostels here are stuff of legends on the backpacker trail, so book wisely if you’re after a more chill base. There’s a Cairns hostel for everyone, even those after a free hot dinner each night! Free Wi-Fi is available as is free breakfast and the social areas tend to attract sociable travelling crowds. There’s a hostel volleyball court and many on-site restaurants and bars. Cairns is the stepping stone to many traveller’s adventures, so pick a hostel that can give advice and book trips to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. You can't go wrong with the best hostels in Cairns!

Most hostels in Cairns you will find centrally located, which is great if you plan on exploring the town, its beaches and beautiful coastal walks. If you’re keen to be as close as you can to the night action in Cairns, book a hostel on the Esplanade, where you’ll find many lively hangouts. Or shuffle back a little from the ocean edge and stay on one of the parallel streets a little closer to Parramatta Park and grab a hostel shuttle into town. You can also stay a little further up the coast, near Cairns Botanic Gardens and be close to the night markets.

No matter what types of adventures you are after, you’ll be rather surprised with what this town offers. For those chasing adventure try bungee jumping or skydiving. After some good old exploring? The oldest rainforest on the planet, the Daintree National Park is your playground. Why not take a day trip and explore some of the picturesque beaches, waterfalls and cascades such as Stoney Creek Falls and Crystal Cascades. Cairns Esplanade is where you’ll find bars, restaurant and a swimming lagoon! Last but not least, hop on a catamaran that cruises out to a pontoon where you can explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Owing to its size and flat landscape, Cairns city is fairly easy to get around by foot. However, if you’re chasing waterfalls (sorry TLC) or want to explore areas further out, you will need something stronger than foot power, like a four-wheel drive which you can hire in town. You can find Sunbuses that travel around the suburbs, beaches and city. There’s an airport, so if you’re not on a campervan road-trip, or a Greyhound Bus, you can land direct here. As mentioned before, if you’re keen for a Great Barrier Reef adventure than a boat from the Cairns Marlin Marina will serve you wonders.