Gilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Reviews of Gilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & Resort

89 Grafton St, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, AustraliaSee Hotel Details
Gilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Gilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & ResortGilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & ResortGilligan‘s Backpackers Hotel & Resort
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Guest Reviews

8.5/10
Very good
88 Reviews
Verified reviews
Location8.8
Amenities8.5
Service8.5
Cleanliness8.1
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All reviews(88)
Positive reviews(78)
Reviews with photos/video(31)
Awesome rooms(15)
Clean and tidy(14)
Great location(11)
Awesome stay(9)
Great service(8)
Clean pool(4)
Large rooms(4)
Great swimming pool(4)
Negative reviews(10)
Guest User
Bed In 8 Beds Deluxe Mixed Dormitory
Stay Date Jan 2026
Solo traveler
1 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Mar 3, 2026
Very good stay , really enjoyed it , very clean and friendly staff
Response from Property: Stoked to hear you had such a good stay! Clean rooms and friendly staff are the basics, but we love hearing when it all comes together to make the trip memorable.Hope to see you back soon for another round of fun!
Guest User
King Room
Stay Date Oct 2025
Solo traveler
5 Reviews
9.0/10
Great
Posted on Jan 1, 2026
The hotel felt a bit old, but the location was super convenient, very close to the night market and shopping center! I'm not sure why they only provided a thin sheet and one blanket instead of a proper duvet like most hotels... The windows were old with a metal grill, and the bathroom wasn't a wet/dry separation.
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Response from Property: Thanks for your feedback! We’re currently in the midst of a renovation, so some areas are getting a well-earned glow-up as we go. The central location is definitely one of our biggest perks, being right by the Night Markets and shopping centre makes getting around super easy.In terms of bedding, extra blankets are always available in the room, and our reception team is more than happy to provide additional ones on request to keep things cosy. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you back to see the upgrades once they’re complete.
Guest User
Bed In 8 Beds Mixed Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Nov 2025
Solo traveler
30 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Dec 31, 2025
Nice place nice people and nice party nice staffs happy new year
Response from Property: Sounds like you rang in the New Year exactly how it should be 🎉 Great people, great parties and keeping the vibes high. Thanks for spending it with us, come back anytime for round two 🥳
Guest User
Bed In 8 Beds Mixed Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Feb 2026
Solo traveler
4 Reviews
9.0/10
Great
Posted on Mar 7, 2026
Great for a solo traveller, very busy with themed nights every nights to allow you to get to know others. Heads up if you are clubside though, the music is loud until 3am so if you want an early night I recommend a room not club side
Response from Property: Sounds like you made the most of the solo traveller vibes! Our themed nights, daily social hour and nightly events are all about meeting people and getting stuck into the fun. 🎉Yep, clubside dorms do carry the music from the venue until late, perfect if you’re here for the party, but for an early night we recommend one of our quieter rooms away from the club. Our reception team is available 24/7 if you need help choosing a room that is right for you
Anonymous User
Bed In 10 Beds Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Jun 2025
Solo traveler
29 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jul 28, 2025
very good location. very clean and big environment. very comfortable stay. very recommended to stay here in Cairns as it is valuable and convenient. have hot shower, gym room, swimming pool.
Response from Property: Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re delighted you enjoyed our great location, and had a comfort stay. Glad to hear you also made the most of our hot showers, gym, and pool.We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Cairns soon!
cyyyy
Bed In 4 Beds Female Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Jun 2025
Solo traveler
26 Reviews
7.0/10
Posted on Jul 13, 2025
nice location near cairns central. pub and clubs are just downstairs, will be a bit noisy on saturdays night.
Response from Property: Thanks for your review!We’re glad you enjoyed our prime location. Staying in one of our Clubside rooms means you’re right above the club, so Saturday nights can definitely get lively! If you’re after a quieter stay next time, just have a chat with our reception team — they’re happy to help find a room away from the noise.Looking forward to welcoming you back!
Kenneth LALO
Bed In 10 Beds Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Jun 2025
Solo traveler
3 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jul 9, 2025
Friendly Staff. Affordable Rooms. Next to bar & Grill. In the heart of Cairns.
Response from Property: Thanks for the great review!We’re glad you enjoyed our friendly staff, affordable rooms, and unbeatable location in the heart of Cairns. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the city vibes and enjoy everything Cairns has to offer.Hope to see you back soon!
こぼちゃん
Bed In 8 Beds Female Dormitory
Stay Date Aug 2025
Family
6 Reviews
6.0/10
Posted on Dec 8, 2025
Only the location is good.
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Response from Property: Location is definitely one of our strong points, right in the heart of the city with everything within walking distance. On top of that, each room is ensuite and 95% come with their own balcony. We also have shared kitchens and common areas on all four floors, plus a gym, pool, three bars, a nightclub and an on-site travel store, so there’s plenty happening without even leaving the building.
Elfii
Bed In 6 Beds Female Dormitory
Stay Date Aug 2025
Solo traveler
13 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Oct 9, 2025
Everything was wonderful. Comfortable beds, large, comfortable bathrooms, 24-hour reception, and a well-equipped kitchen. There's a popular nightclub nearby, but the noise from it didn't reach my room.
Response from Property: Thanks for the fantastic review! 😄 We’re thrilled you enjoyed our spacious bathrooms and 24-hour reception, Glad to hear the nightclub didn’t disturb your stay — for future visits, our reception team is always happy to help you choose the room that best suits your vibe, whether you’re after party energy or a quieter experience.
A.Y.L
Bed In 8 Beds Mixed Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Mar 2025
Solo traveler
20 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Apr 24, 2025
Nice and clean place, if you like partying you should go here
Response from Property: Cheers for the glowing review! 🎉 Clean digs and good times are what we're all about. If you're into parties, nightly events, and meeting travellers from all over the world — Gilligan’s is the place to be! Hope to see you back for round two.
Guest User
Bed In 4 Beds Female Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date May 2025
Solo traveler
5 Reviews
9.0/10
Great
Posted on Jun 25, 2025
I had a great stay at Gilligan’s! The room was spacious and clean, and I was even lucky enough to have the whole dorm to myself one night. I still managed to meet plenty of people, despite being a solo traveller, thanks to the social atmosphere and nightlife. It’s worth noting that the bar/club area didn’t really get busy until late in the evening (11:30pm onwards), and the hostel is pretty deserted during the day thanks to everyone being out on tours/experiences. My room was overlooking the pool/bar area, so did get noisy at night, but the hostel offers free earplugs at reception which did the trick. It was great to have an en-suite in the room, and the bathroom was in good condition. The location is ideal, right within the hub of Cairns City, however I didn’t feel particularly safe as a solo female traveller in the area at night, so it’s definitely important to be aware of that/travel in a group where possible. The on-site travel agency is helpful and approachable, and staying at the hostel means that you can get discounted drinks at the bar and free club entry before 11pm. I didn’t end up going to any of the weekday themed nights, but at the weekend the vibes downstairs were good. I would definitely recommend Gilligan’s to any young solo/group travellers who want to meet new people and experience Cairns’ party scene at a budget-friendly price!
Response from Property: Thanks so much for your fantastic review!We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your spacious, clean room — and lucky you, having the whole dorm to yourself for a night! It’s awesome that our social atmosphere and nightlife helped you meet plenty of people, even as a solo traveller. You’re spot on — the bar really comes alive later in the evening, and the daytime quiet is perfect for recharging between Cairns adventures.Our location is unbeatable for exploring the city, and we appreciate your thoughtful note about safety — it’s definitely important for travellers to stay aware and travel smart, especially at night.We’re happy our on-site travel agency and bar perks (like discounted drinks and free entry before 11pm) added to your experience. Hope you get to join some of our weekday themed nights next time — they’re a great way to meet fellow travellersThanks for recommending us to other young solo and group travellers — we can’t wait to welcome you back for more fun and memorable stays!
Kelvinip999
Bed In 10 Beds Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Feb 2025
Solo traveler
1 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Mar 8, 2025
Very good money for value
Response from Property: Glad to hear you found great value in your stay! 🙌 At Gilligan’s, we aim to pack in as much as possible — from clean, comfy rooms to free nightly entertainment, a massive pool, and an unbeatable central location.Glad you felt it was worth every cent!
Shawn Lin665
Bed In 8 Beds Deluxe Mixed Dormitory
Stay Date Jun 2025
Solo traveler
11 Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Sep 30, 2025
Novel facilities! Good experience! recommend you to experience it.
Response from Property: Thanks for the awesome review! 😄 We’re thrilled you enjoyed your stay. Don’t miss out on our daily events — from social hour on the back deck, pool parties, karaoke, bingo, to Wild West Wednesdays and more — there’s always something happening to make your stay unforgettable!
Guest User
Bed In 8 Beds Mixed Dormitory (Clubside)
Stay Date Mar 2025
Solo traveler
2 Reviews
7.0/10
Posted on Apr 23, 2025
Definitely one of the better hostels I’ve stayed in while travelling Australia. However, front desk reception lady was quite rude when checking in. Food and service in the restaurant/bar was shocking. But very clean, good showering facilities, good kitchen facilities, and comfortable beds.
Response from Property: Thanks for your honest feedback — we're stoked to hear Gilligan’s stood out as one of your better hostel stays in Australia! Clean rooms, solid facilities, and comfy beds are what we aim for.Sorry to hear the welcome at reception and your experience at the bar/restaurant didn’t hit the mark — we’ll be sure to follow this up with the team. Appreciate you taking the time to share both the good and the not-so-good.
Will AM I Travels
Bed In 4 Beds Deluxe Mixed Dormitory
Stay Date Nov 2024
Solo traveler
3 Reviews
7.5/10
Posted on Dec 23, 2024
Not really deluxe room the 4 bed but it was a bed for couple night. A lot quieter than some of the other rooms though. Just lack of plugs in the room which makes no sense.
Response from Property: Thanks for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you found your 4-bed room a bit quieter than others – it’s always nice to get a good night’s rest.We appreciate you highlighting the need for additional plug points. Our maintenance team is already working on improving this to make things more convenient for our guests.We hope to welcome you back again soon