57-89 Grafton St, Cairns, Australia | (888) 635-3814
Convenient downtown location
Big outdoor pool with lounge chairs and lively bars
Dorms feature air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms
Women's-only dorms are available
Private rooms include flat-screen TVs and towels
Free evening meal with any drink purchase
Opportunity to interact with Cairns locals at on-site bars
Noise makes it difficult to sleep
Intense party scene may not suit some travelers
Wi-Fi is unreliable, and comes with a fee
Gilligans Backpackers Hotel & Resort is not a peaceful base from which to explore Cairns -- it is a centrally located party hub with excellent on-site bars that attracts locals as well as backpackers. The clean dorms and private rooms are some of the best budget options in Cairns, with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, but noise inevitably seeps in from the bars until the morning hours. There are communal kitchens and spacious lounges on-site, as well as an outdoor pool with lots of lounge chairs. It's a social property for young travelers, but the management is efficient at keeping the place clean and orderly.
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Scene
Quiet days give way to raucous nights at this budget Cairns hot spot
The vast majority of visitors to Gilligans -- be they backpackers or locals -- come here for one reason: to party. The venue has gained a reputation among Cairns's residents as the wildest spot in town, and if you visit on any evening of the week, you'll understand why. It's loud, it's crude (jelly wrestling, anyone?), and it's full of lads and ladies looking for love -- or something less permanent. Along with the usual assortment of traveling backpackers, you'll often find regional sports teams staying at Gilligans, as well as the occasional bemused business traveler (who invariably checks out after the first night or so). At sunrise, the place becomes ghostly quiet, as the locals retreat and the guests nurse their hangovers.
Location
Central Cairns beckons, but many guests stay on-site
Situated on busy Sheridan Street, just a block from Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Gilligans is surrounded by retail, dining, and drinking opportunities. It's five minutes' walk to the marina and 15 minutes' walk to the Cairns esplanade lagoon. Although all of Cairns's nightlife is within walking distance, many visitors choose to imbibe at one of the two on-site venues then stagger up to their rooms. As a result, this is one of the noisiest places to stay in downtown Cairns.The airport is a 10-minute drive away, and the hotel also offers free airport transfers between designated hours.
Rooms
Dorms are above average, but don't plan on sleeping much
The backpacker accommodation scene in Cairns is competitive, and Gilligans leads the way, with spacious, air-conditioned dorms that have en-suite bathrooms and balconies. Deluxe dorms feature king single beds, mini-fridges, and televisions. There are also female-only dorms. The rooms are basic but comfortable, and come with either two single beds or one king bed. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and towels are included.Despite its reputation for debauchery, Gilligans is a well-maintained property. The dorms and rooms are clean and furniture is in good condition. However, many dorms and rooms are very noisy due to their proximity to the venue's bars. Slightly quieter lodgings can be found on higher floors on the street side of the hotel.
Features
Basics for backpackers play second fiddle to the pool and bars
Gilligans has all the conventional amenities that you would expect at a modern hostel, including fully equipped kitchens on each floor, communal TVs, and Wi-Fi (for a fee). A large lagoon pool is the heart of the action during the day, with plenty of cabanas, lounge chairs, and a bar. At night, the focus shifts to the two indoor bars: Gilligans Bar and The Attic. The eponymous bar is the rowdier of the two, and often features DJs and live entertainment, while The Attic is slightly (only slightly) classier, with more of a lounge vibe.Guests receive a free (but basic) evening meal with any drink purchase during the day, and pay cheaper prices at the bars at night.
