The bunk beds are designed head-to-toe, so you don't disturb each other, and there are outlets and bedside lamps, which is really practical. The four-person female dorm has its own private bathroom, which is convenient, and everyone is considerate and keeps it pretty clean.
The kitchen hygiene is quite poor; the sink is often disgustingly clogged. There isn't a single good non-stick pan; everything sticks terribly, a far cry from industry standards.
The location is great, right near Surfers Paradise, with big and small supermarkets and plenty of restaurants nearby, making dining convenient.
It's very noisy at night facing the street, but I guess anyone staying in this area enjoys a lively atmosphere.
You can store your luggage after checkout, but there are no tags, you just go into the storage room yourself and pick it up. I personally think this is a security risk... I wonder if the business thinks having cameras is enough... but with the current security situation in Europe and America... 😒
It rained the whole two days I was in Gold Coast... what a shame.
Hotel near Brisbane CBD,Brisbane68.1% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2026.04.19
I am amazed by this place-YHA Brisbane city-I chose an all girls room and it was amazing, with lockers, clean and money well spent! Location is within walking distance from the Roma station, Roma street park, Victoria bridge, South bank, CBD, walking street, even the Brisbane Botanic Garden and the old parliament house! After checking out you can leave your bag within the day and still use some amenities! I was truly amazed with that and the staff are superb! Will book YHA in other cities as well! Thanks YHA for making my Brisbane trip extra special!
Hotel near Cairns City Center,Cairns100% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2026.05.11
The hotel's location is excellent, right opposite a large supermarket, making shopping incredibly convenient. It's well-equipped, safe, and clean. This is the best value-for-money hostel I've stayed at in Australia.
Hotel near Brisbane CBD,Spring Hill68.1% of visitors choose this area
AAlice Sand2026.04.05
Great location! The free breakfast was lovely (including pancakes and banana bread as it was a Sunday). So delicious.
The kitchen at dinner time was SO busy. We couldn’t cook so had to go out to eat instead. The common areas were always packed.
But nice Staff and very modern bathrooms.
Hotel near Brisbane CBD,Brisbane68.1% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2025.04.11
The counter staff is very friendly! Always answer all our questions with a smile!
We checked in around 20:30 this time and stayed for two nights.
There are different activities to participate in at the Youth Hostel every day! It is recommended to stay on the day of your favorite event!
My personal experience sharing:
1. The water in the bathroom is a little small, but it’s not a big problem
2. There is no storage space in the shower room, but there is a step to separate wet and dry areas. Remember to bring your own washbasin or something to wash in the bathroom.
3. The counter closes at 10 o'clock, so you can borrow a hair dryer before then.
4You need to bring your own lock to lock the lockers in the room, so remember to bring it!
The picture below is a cute little game in the toilet
Hotel near Cairns City Center,Cairns100% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2026.05.18
This hotel's location is fantastic! It's on the same street as the train station, the beach, and a large supermarket. The front desk service was excellent, and they even have a pool. I initially booked for one night as a trial, and I was so impressed that I extended my stay for another three nights. I'll definitely be back!
Hotel near Cairns City Center,Cairns100% of visitors choose this area
Each accommodation at Mumma 's Hostel Cairns is thoughtfully created and adorned to provide visitors with a comfortable, home-like atmosphere.In select rooms of the hostel, guests can enjoy the advantage of having air conditioning available for their convenience. In select rooms, guests can enjoy a touch of amusement with the availability of television for their entertainment.Understanding the significance of bathroom amenities in enhancing guest contentment, the hostel offers a hair dryer within certain chosen rooms.
Hotel near Cairns City Center,Parramatta Park100% of visitors choose this area
SS.eve2024.07.05
The place is nice and accessible to all the shopping centre and near to bus and train station. The staff and the people are nice and during the night is so quiet. My only concern is no mirror inside the room.. all in all it is good place to stay.
Room was nice and clean! About a 20/30 minute walk to the ferry terminal but bus stop was about 3 minute walk from hotel.
Had a pool on the roof which was great, nice view too.
Very Good
45 reviews
8.2/10
Price from
MYR 96
per night
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9.2/10
Great
KKathhhA newly renovated hostel runs by Little Drifter in Cairns CBD area. Everything is quite new and well maintained, except for the washing machines (quite a few are broken and still waiting to be fixed, only 2-3 machines are working, both laundry and drying cost $6 each time so that would be $12 in total if you wash and dry in one go). Yet big shout out to the staff there, they’re all very friendly, responsive and helpful, and that really makes a huge difference.
The whole atmosphere in the hostel is really cozy and chill. I lived in a 8-bed dorm, everyone is really respectful and quiet, especially after 22:00 when the lights are off. Kitchen has everything you need so you don’t need to worry about anything. And for ladies who might need to blow dry your hair, you can borrow hairdryer at the reception by giving out your passports/driver licenses.
Regarding location, it’s definitely prime, everything is within walking distance. Woolworths is just next door, Esplanade and Lagoon are just 5 mins walk away, Cairns Central just 10 mins walk away. It’s definitely a really good choice if you’re new to the city and would like to have easy and fast access to everything.
GGuest UserThe reception lady was very unfriendly. She did not explain to me how I could be able to get hot water as no kettle was not provided. They should give guidance to let me figure out what to do with this as it should be available. The hotel should make this little improvement so that customers can enjoy more without much uncertainty!
DDollmeisterOkay here’s my review. The Espy has so much going for it in terms of being central to the entertainment precinct of Cairns Esplanade.
Check in was easy and friendly and the two bunk dorm had its own dedicated ensuite bathroom which was very clean and quite large.
The bedroom was clean and the bunks were enclosed wood and steel construction with zero squeaking. Clean towel and linen provided.
So that’s all the very good stuff.
The not as good things I observed were:
- the lounge/common areas were dimly lit, very tired (bordering on festy) furniture and not somewhere I’d socialise due to limited seating, very few power/USB outlets or clean comfortable seating.
- The pool…. Or should I call it the tropical punch bowl of various biological matter and other detritus… if you’re keen of growing something fungal on your body, go in…. I decided not to.
-Kitchen and meal prep area all seemed clean and safe to get your mung bean and tofu ready for consumption.
- The personal under bunk locker was missing its latch and with two roommates I had to say a little prayer that my gear would be safe inside my enclosed bunk.
Overall this was my maiden voyage as a backpacker and at 57 years of age, I’ve stayed in a lot of Hotels and Motels costing far more for way less cleanliness. I rate this place highly for all the good reasons above.
The not so good stuff is easily fixed by management but for $65 per night in peak season, I don’t think you can get any better value in Central Cairns right near the action. Pubs, cafes, night market and the City Lagoon.
Thanks Espy crew, you made this old dog’s stay a pleasant one and will be back if and when the opportunity presents itself.
GGuest UserLovely clean old Queensland building in a great location,
With a relaxed atmosphere , sit out on the front porch and watch the city start to wake up.
Will definitely be staying again.
GGuest UserThis hotel's location is fantastic! It's on the same street as the train station, the beach, and a large supermarket. The front desk service was excellent, and they even have a pool. I initially booked for one night as a trial, and I was so impressed that I extended my stay for another three nights. I'll definitely be back!
GGuest UserAlthough I received my booking confirmation from a third party, somehow I missed important check-in information from the hotel which is keyless and has no onsite reception. Through the kindness of strangers, we were able to get into the foyer where there was a number to contact. It’s advertised as a 24hr reception but it’s important guests know it’s a remote reception. Once I got onto the receptionist, he was able to send me the important message with the check-in information. As we were heading out for dinner we were able to assist another couple who were experiencing the same problem.
Overall, it was a good stopover. We had a good night’s rest in a comfy bed, however, there were no bedside lamps for reading and the one wall lamp near the bed didn’t work. The shower was hot and the location is excellent for access to a variety of great restaurants.
GGuest UserThe hotel's location is excellent, right opposite a large supermarket, making shopping incredibly convenient. It's well-equipped, safe, and clean. This is the best value-for-money hostel I've stayed at in Australia.
SShanice HenawayStayed at this hotel for 4 night paying over $800. Plus had to pay $200 deposit.
20 mins after checking in and storing my belongings into the hotel room.
The manager had knocked on my door and falsely accused me of smoking ********* in his hotel.
Much to his surprise I was telling the truth and he apologized for the accusation.
Upon check out day. I cleaned the floors and all the rest of it. Took pictures for evidence of room when checked out.
Realised i hadnt been refunded my $200. asked for my deposit refund as it hasn't been put back into my account.
Manager denied paying me my deposit back and claimed that he had to pay his cleaners extra for the extra 40 mins they took to clean UNDER our beds. Which he never stated that would be a reason to withhold my full refund.
I left the room clean, no damages to property upon checkout, As manager instructed. I proved I certainly wasn't smoking ********* in his hotel.
Completed a complaints form about his customer service as he still refusing to give me my $200 deposit.
Will never stay there again.
GGuest UserThe service was very friendly, the owners and staff are eager to assist with any requests and like to get to know their clients, hence we rebooked on two other occasions.
There is no food, but good food outlets and takeaways nearby. There is tea/coffee, biscuits and a microwave, plates & cutlery, mugs, water & wine glasses.
The beds are very comfortable, rooms are a good size with air-con, TV & couch- all the usual extras, shampoo, shower gels, hair dryer, iron and small wardrobe.
The bathrooms are very small but work for short stays. Swimming pool available, which we did not use due to short stay. Private car parking is off road and surprisingly quiet due to proximity to the main road. City is within walking distance. I realise that the motel is of an older style, however one tiny concern for older folks is the small step in and out of the bathroom especially if using at night and a step from the car up to the path outside the room. Perhaps a reminder to 'mind the step' - or a Fluro ***** to make it obvious might avoid a 'trip'. The prices are very affordable.