Name: Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront
Address: 93A Esplanade, 4870 Cairns, Australia, 93A Esplanade, Queensland, 4870, Australia
Price range: Prices for upcoming dates start at $13 per night (We Price Match)
Rating: 8.6

Info & prices
Facilities
House Rules
The Fine Print
Guest Reviews (829)

Hostel Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

93A Esplanade, 4870 Cairns, Australia –

*8.0* Cairns Regional Gallery: only 3 minutes away! (800 feet by foot)

Cairns City Library: only 2 minutes away! (550 feet by foot)

*9.1* Cairns Esplanade: only 3 minutes away! (650 feet by foot)

*9.1* Cairns Esplanade Lagoon: only 3 minutes away! (650 feet by foot)

*7.9* Cairns Night Markets: only 2 minutes away! (300 feet by foot)

Lock in a great price for Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront – rated 8.6 by recent guests!

to get started.

The staff! They are super friendly and accommodating. They are probably the best part about this hostel.

Shawn, United States of America

The location is wonderful that close to everything. Also, the room is very clean. The staff there is very helpful.

Ting, Taiwan

The hostel is very well located, pretty much close to everything. The rooms are alright and the breakfast is really good - bread and cereal and pancakes (although the hot breakfast starts later).

Maria, Argentina

Free wifi and free hot breakfast!! Rooms are comfy, clean, and big. Really good location, and its social but not wild. Totally reccommend. One of my favorite Mad Monkeys ive stayed in.

Ella, United States of America

1) Common room with giant flatscreen and access to Netflix was awesome — made for some really comfortable and chill evenings watching movies with other guests. 2) Pancakes were good; otherwise breakfast was mediocre (but free so I cannot complain). 3) Rooms were comfortable and generally quiet.

Emily, United States of America

Location is perfect - very central, close to a lot of bars/shops/restaurants, the piers and boardwalk. Room and shower was clean. Breakfast is another nice perk - they serve homemade pancakes every day, have yogurt, toasts etc.

Ekaterina, United States of America

I liked everything about the hostel, the service, the cleanliness, the location. Everything.

Serah, Papua New Guinea

Emily was very helpful and friendly at the front desk. Another lady was kind and helped us store our baggage and answer a couple of questions. I don’t recall her name, but it was around lunch on Dec19. Lastly, there was an evening where I was looking forward to a shower after a long day of adventure. I walked to the shower, and Bev had just started to mop. She offered to stop and come back after so I could shower. This small gesture of thoughtfulness and empathy really gave me a great sense of what your business is about. Keep up the good work, and once again, thanks Bev:)

Hannah, Thailand

Nice bathrooms, good hot breakfast, cinema in kitchen

Estelle, Australia

Location was perfect to the activities I planned in Cairns: scuba diving. Good restaurants are also very close on the waterfront.

Antoine, France

9.6

Excellent location!
Highly rated for:
Very clean bathrooms
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very clean bathrooms
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Very comfy beds
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Very clean bathrooms

What guests loved the most:
“The staff! They are super friendly and accommodating. They are probably the best part about this hostel.”

Shawn United States of America
“The location is wonderful that close to everything. Also, the room is very clean. The staff there is very helpful.”

Ting Taiwan
“The hostel is very well located, pretty much close to everything. The rooms are alright and the breakfast is really good - bread and cereal and pancakes (although the hot breakfast starts later).”

Maria Argentina
“Free wifi and free hot breakfast!! Rooms are comfy, clean, and big. Really good location, and its social but not wild. Totally reccommend. One of my favorite Mad Monkeys ive stayed in.”

Ella United States of America
“1) Common room with giant flatscreen and access to Netflix was awesome — made for some really comfortable and chill evenings watching movies with other guests. ”

Emily United States of America
“Location is perfect - very central, close to a lot of bars/shops/restaurants, the piers and boardwalk. Room and shower was clean. ”

Ekaterina United States of America
“I liked everything about the hostel, the service, the cleanliness, the location. Everything.”

Serah Papua New Guinea
“Emily was very helpful and friendly at the front desk. Another lady was kind and helped us store our baggage and answer a couple of questions. I don’t recall her name, but it was around lunch on...”

Hannah Thailand
“Nice bathrooms, good hot breakfast, cinema in kitchen”

Estelle Australia
“Location was perfect to the activities I planned in Cairns: scuba diving. Good restaurants are also very close on the waterfront.”

Antoine France

One of our best sellers in Cairns! Providing free WiFi and barbecue facilities, Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront offers accommodations in Cairns, 2,300 feet from Cairns Convention Center. The property is located a 3-minute walk from The Center of Contemporary Arts and 650 feet from Cairns Regional Gallery. Local points of interest like The Cairns Civic Theater and Cairns Rainforest Dome are both reachable within a 9-minute walk.

All dorm rooms are fitted with an ensuite.

A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the property.

Cairns Base Hospital is 0.7 mi from the hostel. Cairns Airport is 3.1 mi away.

This is our guests' favorite part of Cairns, according to independent reviews.

This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Cairns! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.

This property is also rated for the best value in Cairns! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.

We speak your language!

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Oct 1, 2017

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Most Popular Facilities

Free WiFi

Non-smoking rooms

Bookers love...

“friendly staff”
56 related reviews

“free breakfast”
46 related reviews

“common area”
30 related reviews

Located in the top-rated area in Cairns, this property has an excellent location score of 9.6!

Want a great night's sleep? This property was highly rated for its very comfy beds.

Breakfast Info

Buffet

Free WiFi
Guests consistently rate the WiFi as excellent

Checkin day

Checkin month

Checkout day

Checkout month

Availability

When would you like to stay at Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?

Check-in Date

Check-out Date

Rooms

Adults

Children

Booked 4 times in the last 6 hours

Area Info – Guests loved walking around the neighborhood!

Closest Landmarks

Cairns Night Markets
0.1 miles
Cairns City Library
0.1 miles
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
0.1 miles
Cairns Esplanade
0.1 miles
The Center of Contemporary Arts
0.1 miles
Cairns Regional Gallery
0.1 miles
The Cairns Museum
0.2 miles
Reef and Rainforest Research Centre
0.2 miles
Cairns Family Court
0.2 miles
Cairns Marlin Marina
0.3 miles

Restaurants & Markets

La Pizza Restaurant
0 miles
Courtyard Cafe/Bar
0 miles
IGA Supermarket
0 miles
Night Market Market
0.1 miles

Closest Airports

Cairns Airport
3.2 miles

What Travelers Love About This Location

“The quiet. Facilities. Bar in the place and comfy areas”

Karen

United Kingdom

9.5

“The location and the servicies like breakfast and gym were great. Also, everything was really clean.”

Claudia

Spain

“Really nice atmosphere, easy to meet people, good location, nice rooms and bathrooms ”

Olivia

Australia

Are you missing any information about this area?

Brilliant!

4 reasons to choose Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Why book with us?

Manage your bookings online

The staff speaks English

Booking is safe

House Rules Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

2:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Check-out

7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

This hostel does not accommodate children.

No cribs are available

No extra beds are available

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The Fine Print

Guests are required to show valid photo ID (passport or driver's license) upon check-in.

The property cannot accept guests under the age of 18 years.

All guests must sign the property's Terms of Stay.

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

“The hostel is very well located, pretty much close to everything. The rooms are alright and the breakfast is really good - bread and cereal and pancakes (although the hot breakfast starts later).”

Maria

Argentina

“Free wifi and free hot breakfast!! Rooms are comfy, clean, and big. Really good location, and its social but not wild. Totally reccommend. One of my favorite Mad Monkeys ive stayed in.”

Ella

United States of America

“1) Common room with giant flatscreen and access to Netflix was awesome — made for some really comfortable and chill evenings watching movies with other guests. 2) Pancakes were good; otherwise breakfast was mediocre (but free so I cannot complain). 3) Rooms were comfortable and generally quiet.”

Emily

“Location is perfect - very central, close to a lot of bars/shops/restaurants, the piers and boardwalk. Room and shower was clean. Breakfast is another nice perk - they serve homemade pancakes every day, have yogurt, toasts etc.”

Ekaterina

“Emily was very helpful and friendly at the front desk. Another lady was kind and helped us store our baggage and answer a couple of questions. I don’t recall her name, but it was around lunch on Dec19. Lastly, there was an evening where I was looking forward to a shower after a long day of adventure. I walked to the shower, and Bev had just started to mop. She offered to stop and come back after so I could shower. This small gesture of thoughtfulness and empathy really gave me a great sense of what your business is about. Keep up the good work, and once again, thanks Bev:)”

Hannah

Thailand

See all guest reviews for Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Newest Reviews for Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Reviewed: May 25, 2019

Xavier
United Kingdom
7.5

“Good basics but noisy”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Noisy at night. Especially the engines for A/C. No hot water after 10pm. I arrived at 7am, i was not able to get my room before 2pm... It has been 7 hours of napping in a park's grass, not cool. A/C was too cold, the remote was not working hence i had to switch off fully A/C with the button on it. No early breakfast, before 8am. No shampoo nor shower soap in the showers.
2 towels. Clean bedroom and shower. Bar and kitchen seem welcoming.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 20, 2019

Shawn
United States of America
7.5

“Great if you want to party, not so great if you want to relax and get some decent rest”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 10 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
While we understand this is a hostel with a bar, it is very loud as the music starts at 5pm and does not end until 11pm. If you book a private room be prepared to hear this. I know this place clearly states there is a bar but it would be nice if they were a little more considerate of those staying in private rooms. Maybe turn the music down a bit, that’s it. As for the kitchen, it is just too small, not enough cooking space for the number of people there. Same for bathrooms.
The staff! They are super friendly and accommodating. They are probably the best part about this hostel.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 12, 2019

Claudia
Spain
10

“Friendly staff and good service 24 hours”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The staff is very friendly. In addition, they have 24 hours service. I had to check out before 7 and this night was working Karen, who was very kind with me and she gave me all the information I needed.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 9, 2019

Paula
New Zealand
9.2

“super clean hostel with an amazing breakfast and friendly staff in a perfect location”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
the private rooms are next to the bar. because of that it can be quite loud and there are not too many showers. but all in all thats not a real problem if you have some earplugs.
Very clean and organized hostel with a great breakfast and wifi

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: May 7, 2019

Chloe
Australia
9.6

“Cheap, easy and comfortable.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group of friends
- • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Very nice staff, easy to check in and out etc.

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 4, 2019

James
United Kingdom
4.2

“Friendly staff but uncomfortable private rooms ”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
We had a private room which is directly outside the smoking area and has windows that doesn't close. This set off my wife's asthma and we had to leave after the first night after being booked for 4 nights initially. Very loud even after bar shuts at 11 (a lot of reef tours require an early wake up time so this isn't ideal) Private room has 1 shower and 1 toilet which is far from the rooms. This is small and dirty. It was generally quite uncomfortable and we were glad to leave. Aircon leaks unless you keep it under 23
Good location Staff were very helpful in getting us a refund Good party hostel if you're into that

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 4, 2019

Amy
Australia
8.8

Excellent
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
It was very noisy as my room was next to the bar. It didnt quiten down until after 11pm
Clean, breakfast was included, excellent location which was walking distanxe to everything

Stayed in May 2019
Reviewed: May 4, 2019

Anonymous
Netherlands
9.6

“Good monkey experience”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The kitchen was too small. There was only one stove and very limited working space. There was also too much stuff in the kitchen, partly from backpackers but also breakfast stuff from the hostel. Furthermore, I couldn’t find the hostel at first, because it’s only a small door which leads you upstairs and it is in between restaurants and a tour agency. Maybe make it more visible.
I really liked the location of it. Right at the Esplanade! Furthermore I enjoyed the free pancakes for breakfast. It made the hostel stood out from other ones. Lastly it was very clean and the rooms were nice and airconditioned. Wifi was all over and was quite fast.

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: May 2, 2019

Ting
Taiwan
8.8

Excellent
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 6 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The location is wonderful that close to everything. Also, the room is very clean. The staff there is very helpful.

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 27, 2019

Melina
Germany
10

“Great location!”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The hostel is very central und close to everything. The rooms are clean and quiet. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is very friendly. I had an amazing time there

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 17, 2019

Maria
Argentina
7.9

“Good hostel”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The WiFi is not really good, and the rooms are quite messy with the many “permanent” residents. As I arrived late at night they kept my passport and while doing check out I forgot to claim it and they forgot to return it back to me, therefor I had to request it to be shipped to my next location.
The hostel is very well located, pretty much close to everything. The rooms are alright and the breakfast is really good - bread and cereal and pancakes (although the hot breakfast starts later).

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 10, 2019

Ella
United States of America
9.2

Awesome
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Free wifi and free hot breakfast!! Rooms are comfy, clean, and big. Really good location, and its social but not wild. Totally reccommend. One of my favorite Mad Monkeys ive stayed in.

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 10, 2019

Piers
United Kingdom
4.2

“Don’t stay in the private rooms!!”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Hostel is actually good if you stay in the dorms, just steer clear of the private rooms. Dorms are nice, spacious, away from the loud rave bar and have a private bathroom between the dorms tenants. Private Rooms are tiny boxes next to the loud rave bar (not so much of an issue after 11pm) and the Bathrooms aren’t private, they’re down a grimy alley and are for everyone to use so they weren’t the cleanest at all (again not so much of an issue I’m used to hostel life) My main issue is that the dorms are better and are way cheaper, just made no sense to me, I had wanted a night off from dorms and actually wished I hadn’t bothered. Last thing - They love your money, I had cancelled my original dorm booking and rebooked to the private room and they still charged me for the first night of the booking.
I liked that I only had one night there and I was surprised I didn’t have to pay to store my luggage as they love $!

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 9, 2019

Juhye
South Korea

1 helpful vote
8.3

Very Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Good location! Good staffs! Beautiful free Brekky.

Stayed in April 2019
Reviewed: April 6, 2019

Russell
United Kingdom
7.9

“Decent stay”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room Private
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Our first room was damp but they moved us as soon as we mentioned it
People, bar, facilities and the pancake breakfasts

Stayed in March 2019

Sleeps	Room Type
	Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom 1 bunk bed	Show prices
Start of dialog content 댴 Private bathroom This bed in dormitory has air conditioning. Room Facilities: • Shower • Air conditioning • Toilet • Private Bathroom • Carpeted • Linens • Toilet paper Free WiFi! Parking: No parking available. Select everything you want to know more about (Your response helps provide better info for travelers) Beds Bathroom Kitchen Breakfast Room capacity Room view Room facilities Parking Smoking Other What do you want to know about the options you selected? Enter your feedback Submit Cancel Thanks for your time! Your feedback will help us improve so you can book more easily next time. Close Sorry – there was an error submitting your response. Please try again. Retry Missing some information? Yes / No Great! Thanks for your response. Check-in Date Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children End of dialog content
	Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Bathroom 1 bunk bed	Show prices
Start of dialog content 댴 Private bathroom This bed in dormitory has air conditioning. Room Facilities: • Shower • Air conditioning • Toilet • Private Bathroom • Carpeted • Linens • Toilet paper Free WiFi! Parking: No parking available. Select everything you want to know more about (Your response helps provide better info for travelers) Beds Bathroom Kitchen Breakfast Room capacity Room view Room facilities Parking Smoking Other What do you want to know about the options you selected? Enter your feedback Submit Cancel Thanks for your time! Your feedback will help us improve so you can book more easily next time. Close Sorry – there was an error submitting your response. Please try again. Retry Missing some information? Yes / No Great! Thanks for your response. Check-in Date Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children End of dialog content
	Double Room Private 1 full bed	Show prices
Start of dialog content This double room features air conditioning. Room Facilities: • Shower • Air conditioning • Shared bathroom • Toilet • Carpeted • Linens • Toilet paper Free WiFi! Parking: No parking available. Select everything you want to know more about (Your response helps provide better info for travelers) Beds Bathroom Kitchen Breakfast Room capacity Room view Room facilities Parking Smoking Other What do you want to know about the options you selected? Enter your feedback Submit Cancel Thanks for your time! Your feedback will help us improve so you can book more easily next time. Close Sorry – there was an error submitting your response. Please try again. Retry Missing some information? Yes / No Great! Thanks for your response. Check-in Date Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children End of dialog content
	Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Bathroom 1 twin bed	Show prices
Start of dialog content 댴 Private bathroom Room Facilities: • Shower • Air conditioning • Toilet • Private Bathroom • Carpeted • Linens • Toilet paper Free WiFi! Parking: No parking available. Select everything you want to know more about (Your response helps provide better info for travelers) Beds Bathroom Kitchen Breakfast Room capacity Room view Room facilities Parking Smoking Other What do you want to know about the options you selected? Enter your feedback Submit Cancel Thanks for your time! Your feedback will help us improve so you can book more easily next time. Close Sorry – there was an error submitting your response. Please try again. Retry Missing some information? Yes / No Great! Thanks for your response. Check-in Date Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children End of dialog content
	Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room 1 bunk bed	Show prices
Start of dialog content 댴 Private bathroom Room Facilities: • Shower • Air conditioning • Toilet • Private Bathroom • Linens • Toilet paper Free WiFi! Parking: No parking available. Select everything you want to know more about (Your response helps provide better info for travelers) Beds Bathroom Kitchen Breakfast Room capacity Room view Room facilities Parking Smoking Other What do you want to know about the options you selected? Enter your feedback Submit Cancel Thanks for your time! Your feedback will help us improve so you can book more easily next time. Close Sorry – there was an error submitting your response. Please try again. Retry Missing some information? Yes / No Great! Thanks for your response. Check-in Date Check-out Date Rooms Adults Children End of dialog content

Hostel Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

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See availability Area Info – Excellent location – show map Guests loved walking around the neighborhood!

Closest Landmarks

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What Travelers Love About This Location

4 reasons to choose Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Why book with us?

See availability Facilities of Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront Great facilities! Review score, 8.2

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Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Area Info – Guests loved walking around the neighborhood!

Facilities of Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront Great facilities! Review score, 8.2

House Rules Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront takes special requests – add in the next step!