Geckos Backpackers Cairns

Australia , Cairns - QLD
Cairns, 187 Bunda Street
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2026

Melissa

Excellent

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2025

David

Property was very convenient for central Cairns. It was quiet and quaint, and very cosy.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2023

Richard

Everthing was GREAT.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2023

Rodney

whilst this is a modest older style early 1900s heritage accomodation , some with shared amenities, I found the Owner exceptionally friendly and helpful and the accomodation and communal areas and amenities spotless and very well maintained. There was also a night manager . This for me was a short notice accomodation/ travel requirement, whilst not luxury , but coming from a tourism and hospitality background couldn’t fault the service or accomodation in any way

Thanks to Peter the manager Rod 13/7/2023
L

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2022

Karen

Clean and friendly accommodation across the road from the station

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2021

Victor

I did like the pleasant, cool courtyard beside the pool.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

I arrived very late at night extremely tired after travelling many hours by plane and was leaving early next morning for another travel connection. Was very impressed by cleanliness , comfort and arrangements made for my late check-in. It is a very convenient location being across the rod from Cairns Central and I’m looking forward to spending another night there on my return trip where I will have a few more hours to enjoy the facilities.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2020

Andrew

Perfect and affordable for a good nights sleep.

I stayed here while working on businesses in cairns. It is an affordable alternative to a hotel and in a great location.

Business

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2019

Natalie

Some Reno’s done but more is needed

Our stay was decent - the bathrooms were clearly renovated and looked nice. The bedrooms were surprisingly nice as well - art on the walls, nice lamps and bedsheets, etc. however the bed was the squeakiest thing on earth. You would sit and it would be a very loud squeak. Let alone roll over at night.
The kitchen needs work. It could be a lot nicer with some new paint or drawer protectors. It also needs more tools such as drying racks, more washing sponges, etc.
overall decent place but the kitchen and the beds sucked.

Partner

4/10

Poor

15 May 2019

Verified traveler

Promise of Early check in on site but get into room till after 11.00am Was in transit from overseas with family and needed sleep.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Apr 2019

Freddo

The facility is nice and clean and bright, however booked a double room with a garden view, ended up with a twin room (2 single beds) with a view of a corrugated iron roof.
Good location, close to major shopping centre and mostly quiet.

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Great location

The rooms are basic but we loved the proximity to the centre

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Nov 2018

Colette

Quiet and clean

The place is quite clean and very quiet which makes for a relaxing stay. The bathrooms seemed clean but didn't smell the best. We had an AC unit in our room but the cord could not reach the one outlet that was provided. It was very muggy and hard to get to sleep. Thankfully they had a high speed ceiling fan to give us some comfort. At the end of our stay we discovered that other rooms had AC, so not sure what that was about. Front desk personnel was very helpful and spent a lot of time cleaning. If we'd had AC, it would have been great, but it was still quite decent for the cost.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2018

Ronald

Quiet and Relaxed Place to Stay

This property has a no alcohol policy so you will never be disturbed by drunkards returning in the middle of the night. Spacious and comfortable, all beds are single beds!

4/10

Poor

14 Jun 2018

Debbie

This is not a great hostel. The private rooms are in a building with very thin walls where you can hear your neighbors talking in the next room. The wifi signal is very weak, and we killed two big cockroaches in the room. One advantage is the availability of parking right out front.

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2018

Verified traveler

Fantastic location, the owner is nice and helpful, convenient kitchen facilities

8/10

Excellent

27 May 2018

Samuel

Hotel room was comfortable and great for the price!

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2018

Eric

Great value for a quiet private room.

Great value for the price, simple room but clean. Quiet not a party hostel as no alcohol is allowed on property

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2018

Jack

Decent enough hostel

Decent enough hostel in a fairly convenient location. Good air con in the room we stayed in, we felt the bathrooms could be a bit cleaner but overall good value for what we paid.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2017

Verified traveler

Clean and cosy place, where to spend a night, close to the centrum.

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2017

Sylvain

Backpacker hotel

This hotel is good if you do not want to pay a high price. It is perfect for backpackers.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2017

Ying-Huei

It's really good place.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

It was great that this back packers was an alcohol free zone. It kept the noise down and was a nice friendly place to stay.

6/10

Pleasant

11 Feb 2017

Dee

Very kind hotel stuff.

The stuff was very kind and friendly. The owner helped me book a tour for GBR which was awesome. Also, one of the stuff served some fruits to me. Overall, I was satisfied with this hotel, but in the room, there was no air conditioner which was why I couldn't fell asleep comfortably. Bringing alcohol is prohibited which is why this hotel is very quiet.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2017

Nicholas

Good place. Even as hot as it was outside, the aircon in the private room kept the room nice through the night. Good value for a private room and the Esplanade is no more than a few minute's walk.

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jan 2017

Faye

OK for a few nights...

We stayed here for 2 nights whilst in Cairns. Nice enough place. The only down points however was that the place needs some sort of air con installing downstairs in the kitchen / lounge area. It was unbearable to sit in. Our room had air con which could be left on whilst out so this was good.

Also, if you like a lie in this isn't the place for you. The room next to us was getting cleaned at 7am - beds and chairs moving mopping etc... not ideal.

Communal shared bathrooms weren't advertised so just beware of this.

Not a bad place for the price.

Partner

4/10

Poor

03 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Close to ewerything

Love the town of Cairns and its surroundings.
Wentworth to the Barrierreef and Karunda. Breathtaking places.
Walking the esplanade or going in the botanical gradens is interesting and beautiful.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2016

Michael

Good Backpackers hostel within 10 mins walk waterf

Well organised backpacker hostel.
Dave the owner made it a no drinking place and that means its clean and quiet.
we never even locked our door during the day or night

6/10

Pleasant

27 Sep 2016

Elise M

Central Backpackers

This is a good budget backpackers. Really central and close to the shopping centre for supplies. Single room was basic but that's really all you need when you are in transit or out and about.

One tip is - if you are coming from the airport and use the company they suggest for transfer, book online but choose the option to pay on the bus. I got over charged by $6.50 by paying online and the driver did not care. Should be only $10.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

02 Sep 2016

Verified traveler

The room and bed was ok but the amenities were sub standard.

2/10

Poor

04 Aug 2016

baocheng

bad experience

4/10

Poor

19 Jun 2016

Sian

Very Noisy!!

We booked a weekend here as we were diving the great barrier reef! We had an early start on Saturday morning so got to bed by 10pm, however there was far too much noise well into the morning (probably 2-3am). I couldn't work out if the noise was coming from the hostel itself or next door, but whichever it was very frustrating.

The room itself was clean and the bed fairly comfy. The shared bathroom was also clean. We did find the man working on reception to be a little rude and he messed up our airport transfers.

All in all, I wouldn't stay here again. We have previously stayed at Caravella's hostel which isn't far away at all but much nicer, quieter feel and the rooms are much bigger. Stay there instead!

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2016

fergus

Close to everything

Nice friendly place had everything u need. Close to everything and parking in street. Would definetly stay there again

10/10

Exceptional

12 May 2016

Jonathan

The price is right, nice quite clean relaxing rest

This is a great quite location away from the party scene at cairns central. The price is right here, and the manager is super friendly and helpful. Clean and relaxing this is a nice place to stop on your trip to or out of cairns.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2016

Jonathan

Quite relaxing hostel and lodge

This is a quite hostel/ low cost place to get a room. It had everything my girlfriend and I were looking for to get a nice rest after a week of traveling through and around cairns. Great value.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Mar 2016

Bruce

Friendly helpful staff.

Friendly helpful staff. Great facilities. Close to town.

8/10

Excellent

19 Jan 2016

santi

Nice hotel but...

The hotel was nice and clean. The price is reasonable. However, the staff isn't super friendly.

But at the end of the day we went to sleep so it's not such a big deal

10/10

Exceptional

23 Oct 2015

Verified traveler

Very enjoyable stay!

A really nice place to chill out and relax. We ended up extending our stay from 2 nights to 7 nights. Very clean, big kitchen and good location. It is just across the road from the main shopping centre and 15 min walk to the marina. Would recommend!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Sep 2015

Chantell

great stay thank you

if needed help or advice or anything was always at hand. Very friendly staff to.

8/10

Excellent

02 Sep 2015

Shanqing

Quaint hostel, friendly manager

Geckos feature private rooms with shared baths. The baths are generally always clean and the rooms are acceptable. Unlike most hostels in the area, Geckos has a no-alcohol policy which meant that the place is usually peaceful and not trashed up by drunks.

Supermarket is a short work away, located within the mall right opposite the hostel. Easiest access is via the ramp up to the car park and over the train tracks.

6/10

Pleasant

19 Aug 2015

Verified traveler

nice and quiet

a great place if you want some quiet time in-between your travels. the no-alcohol policy onsite is a great idea to maintain a good and calm atmosphere. clean and bright bathrooms.

4/10

Poor

12 Aug 2015

Verified traveler

A very average experience, in my opinion I believe the owner lacks business ethics.

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2015

Alice

Helpful service booking local tours

Peter, the owner, will help you book any local tours you want. He even has an airport shuttle to take you back to the airport for $15 AUS. (Taxi was $21AUS.)
Room was neat and beds were comfy. It was about a 15 minute walk to the esplanade but it's a very quiet neighborhood and seemed very safe. Peter leaves at 6:30 so if you have a late check-in, let him know.

8/10

Excellent

27 Jul 2015

Lynn B

Great locality

Handy to Cairns Central, friendly helpful staff, and cheap

2/10

Poor

04 Jun 2015

jack

Terrible irresponsible staff

Book the coach bus with wrong pick up time, no arrangements for early check-out. No instantly call back for customer contact.

6/10

Pleasant

23 Sep 2019

Hsuan Ju

clean &noisy

Very clean but tooooooo noisy

Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

まず、みなさんの評価を見ていた通り、受付のおじさんが感じいいし、親切！
このおじさんがシャワールームなど掃除もしてくれてました。
全体的に木の造りで、年季を感じるものの、清潔なほうでした。シャワールームやトイレは入るタイミングによって清潔さは変わります(色んな人が利用するから)
サクッと泊まるには安くていい宿だと思います。

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

セントラルステーションのすぐ近く。
部屋の広さは一人には十分。南国風の木造の作りで網戸がないので虫は入ってくる。
スタッフは24時間いるわけではないので少し不便を感じることもあるかも。

8/10

Excellent

19 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Quiet and good location

Pros: quiet, you can actually sleep unlike most hostels in the esplanade; Good location next to supermarket and close to city center
Cons: not the best place to meet fellow travellers if that's what you' re looking for.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

立地が良くて、スタッフの方の対応もgood！
施設は新しくはないけれど部屋も綺麗で夜は静かでのんびり過ごせました。