Castaways Backpackers

I really enjoyed staying here! The owner, Wayne, was incredibly friendly, which was so nice to have as a solo traveler. He was able to give me some great suggestions and I was able to book my excursions through the hostel, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. On the days I was local, the location, only a 15-20 minute walk from town, was ideal.

My hostel room was clean and comfortable. The hostel is the perfect hang out. There's a room for people to watch movies together, two kitchens (1 indoor, 1 outdoor), and a pool. A lot of people that stay here are traveling around the country in their vans, so the people I met were very laid back, down to earth, and friendly. If I'm lucky enough to come back to Cairns, I'll definitely stay here again.

the location is lovely- outside of the noisy parts of the city but close enough to join in on the fun whenever you like.
the hostel itself is super friendly, has a pool, an awesome (free) pool table and nice comfy beds.

the owner, Wayne, is super chill and very kind.

We loved our stay in Castaways!! There are lots of things that we could highlight. We arrived on Wednesday and only on this day the guests can have free pizza and some free beers at one night club so Wayne (the owner) took us with more backpackers there, and it was a lot of fun!! Also this place has a pretty nice cinema room which it’s not busy at all so you can certainly enjoy it. Good environment to meet more travelers, clean rooms and friendly staff. I have to say the owner really cares about guests in this backpacker, so I highly recommend this place. We hope to be back soon!!

Yo, this place is incredible!! I love it! Super spacious rooms?? Yes please, sign me up!! Wonderful people there. The staff will make you laugh, and join you in kickass times. Really fun, family vibe with good day trips to the beautiful surrounding nature. I love these people and this place

Such a great hostel, the staff were helpful, kind and genuine. I really enjoyed the size of the hostel and appreciated how they maintained the place and kept it clean. we took a few group trips to waterfalls and hikes, which was also really nice of them to organise. You can really tell the people working here care about us backpackers and want to make our home away from home comfortable. Definitely one of the most laid back and accommodating places I've spent my time in Aus! If I'm ever back in cairns, I know where I'll be staying.

《WE ARE FAMILY》 ♡
I've made lifelong friends here. It felts like home!
I was in this unique hostel for 1 month and worked here for my accommodation.
We did so many amazing things together and every Sunday we had a delicious BBQ.
Now I have to leave but I definitely wanna come back as soon as possible.

Stayed here for about 6 months (April-September 2015) while working in Cairns. Comfy beds that didn't squeak! Nice sparkling pool, friendly staff, BBQ area, good kitchen and TV room. Spacious, covered deck and parking for camper vans. Courtesy van is available for quick trips into the CBD. The walk is about 10 minutes and far away from the noise of the bigger hostels.

You'll make friends fast as most of the guests were relatively long-term and knowledgeable.

Once a week, the staff will take you to on of the local clubs, The Woolshed, for free pizza and discounted drinks.

Sunday BBQ's are a lot of fun and well worth the money. $7 for a plate full of Australian style BBQ will make your stomach happy.

Tour Desk offers dozens of options for trips such as snorkeling/diving, rainforest, camera rentals, etc.

I would recommend Castaway's as an affordable option for those who want an alternative to the usual spots in town. Rates start at around $20 a night for a 5 bed-share. Private and ensuites are available. Castaway's is not fancy but you'll be having too much fun to notice.

You feel at home right away at Castaways. We stayed with a group of 12 students. The staff went above and beyond to help us, even when they weren't working. The owner is living his dream running the hostel and it shows. The pool area, AV deck, outdoor kitchen all show how much he is investing back in creating a space for people to share. Thank you for accommodating us! You are lucky to stay here!

Ended up staying here for an extended period working and living. I could not reccommend this place more. Everyone ends up becoming family and the owners will go out of their way do anything and everything for you.
Great wifi, chill atmosphere, and everyones up for adventure. Very accepting of everyone, and there's even Honey the hostel hound, the cutest warm welcome you could want.
Whenever in Cairns, I will be returning here.

We had great time in here! The stuffs are really friendly and nicely! Shared toilets was clean,we love the cinema room!And the outside space was very cool and comfortable! We’d like to come back again and again!!

Castaways backpackers is a very weloming and nice place to stay in Cairns. Wayne the owner is super friendly and helped us with anything. We really enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommed this hostel to anyone who hast to find a place to stay in Cairns. Thanks for everything.
Svenja and Janine

What a little slice of Heaven! Tropical palms, great bbq facilities, clean, light and bright. Great relaxing atmosphere opposite public park. Nice security, nice balcony to enjoy a beer. 30 seconds to Liquorland for cheap liquid refreshments. Brilliant Indian restaurant next door but one. Close walking distance to everything and backpacker shuttle for free transport option around town. Mostly younger crew, odd older group welcomed in non- agist way. That's all.

Me and my girlfriend stayed at Castaways in two different ways: (1) with our campervan and after we returned it we stayed (2) in a double room. This is why we can review both, and can say: this hostel is perfect!

The hostel is quiet but still full of warm people to have a chat with, it’s huge but still tidy and clean, it’s inviting and very safe.

My girlfriend and I had very much fun with the free Wii-Console with Mario Kart (I always won). Afterwards we always watched Netflix on their given Accounts in the Cinema Room, with a big projector.
There was always something to do, even just to sit down, drink a free slush/coffee/tea made by the owner Wayne and have a lovely chat with him.

We can highly recommend this hostel and would stay longer if we would stay in Cairns!

Cheers,
Rami and Olivia

Very nice hostel, very friendly and fun for young people. There's a pool table, Cinema room, two kitchens, many bathrooms, small swimming pool parking lot, bicycles, fridges in every room, hammocks microwave, AC and fans in every room.

If you search for a lovely, small and quiet hostel you schould check out Castaways Backpacker. They have no bunkbeds, every room has his own fridge and they have an outdoor kitchen as well. The wifi is super fast and stable, you can play Wii, biliard, watch movies in a verry comfi tv room or zap through netflix. You can relax at the poolarea with a good book from the bookexchange and meet everytime new people. And dont forgett to sign up for the sunday bbq 😉

One of the most friendly hostel I have been.. really good facilities a lot of things to do. Owner and staff are reallyyy good.. best place to stay and also make some new friends.

Great place to stay the owners are awesome and very helpful. Talk to them they do allow dogs onsite as long as on lead, got a great set up definitely check them out.

Old school Backpacker, staff is helpful and friendly. Great atmosphere. Hammocks, pool table and similar makes it a hard place to leave :).

Beautiful hostel, a lot of chill out areas, ping pong, pool and cinema room! The rooms are spacious and no bunk beds 👌👌nice people

Very chilled place to stay at. A little outside but it offers a lot e.g. Wednesday's nights out & amazing bbq. Met some lovely people there.