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Reviews of YHA Cairns Central 4 stars

20-26 Mcleod Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia

#33 of 75 hotels in Cairns

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 1536 hostel reviews

7.9

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.1

  • Comfort

    8.1

  • Location

    9.0

  • Facilities

    8.1

  • Staff

    8.8

  • Value for money

    8.1

  • Free WiFi

    8.2

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 27 August 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Read above

    Rooms good size and personal lockers .needed to spend an hour round shopping centre to find padlock it said on your site you have them and from a previous review. Comfy bed with light nice touch nice cotton sheets warm duvet. Extractor fan not working in bathroom so room mega hot .bathroom window open all the time other room mates left aircon on 24/7 .. Please ...Just fix extractor . Manager Discriminated a guest There was a male guest who came in later at night around 10 as per his booking. Manager cancelled his booking and refused to give him.a refund to find another hostel as they thought he was disabled !!! He Requested he just struggled to get into top bunks on an earlier email in the morning it was confirmed by the manager that it would be ok and would allocate lower bunk .police were called as YHA manager on duty in the eve made him homeless . He was walking and certainly had no clear disabilities very intelligent wasn't in wheelchair or anything he just requested lower bunk he was 6.5ft tall and he was assured by manager earlier in the day that was fine .There were also vacant dble room was rejected that as well. I met him outside and he told me everything . said the YHA had called the police and they told him to wait outside and locked him out. disgusting that the staff member treated him in that way i had spare bed in my room on the lower level i'm sure my room mates would have not minded .Cairns is very dodgy place after dark for many reasons . There Police were calm took 35 mins to arrive I stayed with this guy till then But if YHA discriminate like that i dont want to recommend this organisation . Other guests were aware again will lose repeat custom. I've stayed with YHA since 1998 I am an uber driver in Brisbane i get you guys lot of business ..this member of staff needs retraining on discrimination YHA could be shut down for that .I hope the guy got a refund and a room. Not much more to say

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2025

    9.0
    Really nice stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was too small but the rest really good.

    The swimming-pool and the kitchen were really nice.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 August 2025

    7.0
    Central comfortable stay for en-suite queen room
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Ensuite.
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The cleanliness of the kitchen, all down to other guests not doing their dishes at all! That is quite rare for hostels, you do get a few dishes left here and there but here people were just not even cleaning after themselves which is sad.. the kitchen was cleaned thoroughly in mornings though. Other downside in our room was the fan turning itself on in the bathroom all the time, and the toilet cistern was constantly refilling too which was noisy. Needs maintenance

    We booked a queen ensuite room, and it was away from the communal areas in a quieter wing which was nice. Bedroom was clean and comfortable bed. Staff were friendly and helpful with check-in. Location was great within walking distance of everything you need in cairns so you don’t need a car

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 August 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The manager was fantastic. Super friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 August 2025

    8.0
    Very Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 5 nights

    Every thing was good

    Its a very good value for money stay in Cairns , major shopping center opposite , very easy walk to shops and restaurants . Its got all the amenities you need and its very well maintained .

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 August 2025

    7.0
    Overall it was a very good experience with breakfast for the money charged
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Male Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    1. Slow WiFi 2. Not enough towel provided 3. PowerPoints insufficient

    Breakfast was good

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I arrived unexpectedly, had to take a dorm and the whole experience was much better than I expected. Respectful people, and helpful staff. Even provided me with a padlock for my own bag cupboard. Central but quiet area in the town.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2025

    8.0
    good, functional hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No power outlets, light or privacy at the beds. Showers and washbasins chronically wet and overflowing. AC struggling to stay on top of tropical humid climate.

    Clean, functional room and well-equipped common area with kitchen, outdoor seating, workspace and pool. Centrally located and very close to shopping mall and supermarkets. One of the more quiet hostels.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The whole place had a good vibe

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 August 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Super friendly staff and good location!

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 July 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Business trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Loved the atmosphere and the cleanliness, the staff were very helpful. Top location and facilities.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 July 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Male Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It is out of the scope of the property maybe. But one person moved all my stuff and took my bed and then went to the front desk where I had a loud argument with him in the room. That person was a gentleman in his 50's who must not know what hostel life is like.

    Good location

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2025

    8.0
    Good stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room is very basic but for 1 night it's more than fine.

    We stayed here just one night and it was fine. The room was comfortable but looked a bit like a prison. Bathrooms clean and staff was kind.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 July 2025

    9.0
    Really enjoyable stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    This was a really great hostel to stay in. The staff were fantastic and really accommodating. We arrived in really early to Cairns, and obviously it worked out well but our room was ready so we were allowed to check in early and sleep a bit which was really great. This is something the staff didn’t have to accommodate so we were really appreciative of this. Facilities were great, the cool was lovely and it was really close to everything.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Would be useful to have a soft lamp for the people who arrive late to have some light to set up their beds. Fumbling with torches takes a longer time and is disruptive for those sleeping:) Also in the foyer area with the couches some soft lamps wld be much more comfortable than the bright glaring lights in that area.

    Cleanliness. Especially the kitchen being cleaned several times a day and the dorms being mopped.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 July 2025

    8.0
    Great value accommodation in the centre of Cairns
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Ensuite.
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The laundry room was a bit stinky and some of the machines were out of action so it was a bit of a bunfight to get your laundry done.

    Absolutely bang in the centre of town with shops and restaurants nearby. We were definitly their oldest guests by quite a long way, but everyone was very friendly. The shared kitchen was great. The lack of a lift could bother less able guests but we were OK. They had a parking space available in the locked garage area, so that was a real bonus!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 July 2025

    9.0
    Great place to stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6 Share Female Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Could not open room windows to get fresh air into bedrooms. Air-conditioning only option.

    Very obliging staff. Kitchen facilities available 24 hours. Easy access to train and bus terminus and city centre.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 July 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Morning staff she always in bad mood, not so welcoming, scolding guests just because the office isn't open yet, but the afternoon staff are nicer and more hospitality vibe It can be loud until 10pm Laundry is always busy & messy.

    I like that the location next to the big mall with Woollies and Kmart , travel alone and forget something? no worries, find affordable one at Kmart. Also near the the train station for the scenic train ride. Kitchen is big and has a communal shelves I didn't need to buy all sauce some are left on the shelves to use.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 July 2025

    7.0
    Basic but handy
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Ensuite.
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location was close enough to Jucy Rentals that we could walk there to pick up our car. Shopping centre across the street was useful. Not too far to walk to the Esplanade. Room with ensuite was basic but everything we needed for 1 night.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Male Dormitory with Ensuite
    • Stayed 3 nights

    -2: No in-bed charge -1: No privacy curtains

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 June 2025

    8.0
    Safe location helpful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It’s getting a little older. Look Forward to the awesome renovations doon

    The atmosphere friendly welcoming.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 June 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Plus Four with Ensuite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Central. Close to shops. Short walk to Esplanade.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Seemed very organised. Clean. Helpful staff. Best toilet/shower facilities I have experienced in a hostel.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 June 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Plus Four with Ensuite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Every thing

    Every thing

    Stayed in June 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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