Little Drifter Cairns

Hostel within walking distance of Reef Fleet Terminal

Choose dates to view prices

Where to?

Dates

November 2025

December 2025

Private 4 Bed Female Room | 1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

In the heart of Cairns, The Village Cairns - Hostel offers a warm and welcoming vibe. With laundry facilities, a TV in the lobby, and tour/ticket assistance nearby attractions are within easy reach. Enjoy helpful staff and concierge services that make you feel at home.

Very good

Popular amenities

Air conditioning
Laundry facilities
Free WiFi

Main amenities (12)

Daily housekeeping
Terrace
Air conditioning
Microwave in a common area
Refrigerator in a common area
Self-serve laundry
Concierge services
Luggage storage
Limited hour front desk
Tour/ticket assistance
TV in a common area
Lockers available

$102 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Oct 31 - Nov 1

Tomorrow

Nov 1 - Nov 2

All rooms

1 bed

3+ beds

Showing 7 of 7 rooms

Private 4 Bed Room

Very good

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

18 sq m
Sleeps 4
4 Twin Bunk Beds

Private 8 Bed Room

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 8
8 Twin Bunk Beds

Private 6 Bed Room

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 6
6 Twin Bunk Beds

Private 6 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 6
6 Twin Bunk Beds

Private 8 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 8
8 Twin Bunk Beds

Private 4 Bed Female Room

Highlights

Air conditioning

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 4
4 Twin Bunk Beds

Private Queen Room

Wonderful

Highlights

Air conditioning

LCD TV

Separate bedroom

4 bathrooms

Digital channels

Daily housekeeping

Sleeps 2
1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

Pool
Free parking
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

$92 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

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About the neighborhood

7 Shields St, Unit 1, Cairns, QLD, 4870

What's nearby

Cairns Esplanade - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Esplanade Lagoon - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Reef Fleet Terminal - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Cairns Marlin Marina - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 12 min drive
Cairns Station - 9 min walk
Freshwater Station - 15 min drive
Redlynch Station - 17 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Roti Shack - ‬1 min walk
‪Wawawa Izakaya - ‬1 min walk
‪Perrottas - ‬2 min walk
‪Corea Corea - ‬3 min walk
‪Crave Cairns - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns offers a great location, putting you within just a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Also, this hostel is within just a 10-minute walk of Reef Fleet Terminal. Fellow travelers say great things about the helpful staff.

At a glance

Hotel size

- 54 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

- Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
- Contactless check-in available
- Minimum check-in age: 18
- Check-out time is 10:00 AM
- Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

- The property charges 2 percent for credit card payments
- The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Front desk staffed during limited hours

Required at check-in

- Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
- Government-issued photo ID may be required
- Minimum check-in age is 18

Children

- No cribs (infant beds)

Pets

- Pets not allowed

Internet

- Free WiFi in public areas
- Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

- No onsite parking

Other information

- Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator

What to do

Ecotours nearby
Skydiving nearby

Services

Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage

Facilities

Terrace
Television in common areas
Lockers available

Room amenities

Home comfort

Air conditioning

Sleep well

Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

4 bathrooms
Shower only
Hair dryer (on request)

Stay connected

Free WiFi

More

Daily housekeeping

Fees & policies

Optional extras

Credit card charges are subject to an extra charge of 2 percent

Policies

This property does not have elevators.

Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit on site.

The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.

This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express

Also known as

Freedom Cairns Cairns

Freedom Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns

Freedom Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Freedom Cairns

The Village Cairns

Freedom Cairns Hostel

The Village Cairns Hostel

Little Drifter Cairns Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Little Drifter Cairns Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Does Little Drifter Cairns offer free cancellation for a full refund?

Yes, Little Drifter Cairns does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Are pets allowed at Little Drifter Cairns?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Little Drifter Cairns?

Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Little Drifter Cairns.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Little Drifter Cairns?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Contactless check-in and check-out are available.

Is there an onsite casino at Little Drifter Cairns?

No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Reef Hotel Casino (7-min walk) and Cazalys Cairns (5-min drive) are both nearby.

What is there to do at Little Drifter Cairns and nearby?

Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as skydiving. Additional recreation nearby includes ecotours.

What's the area around Little Drifter Cairns like?

Little Drifter Cairns is a short 9-minute walk from Cairns Station and 2 minutes' walk from Cairns Esplanade.

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Little Drifter Cairns Reviews

8.2

Very Good

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Popular mentions

Room

Location

Service staff

Kitchen

Bed

Bathroom

Amenities

10/10 Exceptional

Jun 24, 2024

Nice surroundings, easy walking access to everything, good friendly staff, safe, several tour agents around

Daniela, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 10, 2024

Johnnie at reception was so friendly and helpful. Great group of guest, great activities, great vibes!! Loved my stay, thank-you!

Rachael Jane, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Sep 4, 2023

Location location location

Great location super central for all things cairns

Benjamin, 4-night trip

8/10 Very good

Aug 25, 2024

I checked in late at night and left early in the morning, only a short stop but the cleanliness of the hostel was pristine, the room was very spacious for a 4 bedder and super neat & clean as well

Bianca, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 12, 2022

My first stay in a backpackers that was clean and modern facilities great

Claire, 1-night trip

8/10 Very good

Jan 4, 2025

Good

Gaku, 8-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Oct 29, 2023

Can definitely recommend to others

Laisa, 1-night trip

8/10 Very good

Mar 12, 2024

My stay at The Village was wonderful, from the moment I checked in with Jonnie. He was super friendly and helped us at all times. Our trip to Cairns was to celebrate my mom's birthday, and I can say that we had a very pleasant experience. The place is quiet and well-maintained, exactly what is needed to relax and have a good time.

Skaren, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 26, 2023

The staff was very helpful - one of the staff members even gave me their umbrella as it started to piss it down

Hasibe, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 6, 2019

Staff are amazing, get a private room for cheap, bathrooms are p clean. Give you free pasta, shampoo, fresh towels etc. Little things!

2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Oct 26, 2024

If you are booking a seperate room check details

Booked a room didn't notice there was no en suit bathroom, it's my fault probably. Also no window so it sort of feels like a box, but it was cheap secure and clean.

Mahmut Ayberk, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jan 31, 2024

We will use it again and the day after tomorrow.

Kazuhito, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 29, 2022

Staff were friendly, cool and accomodating in my request. Clean as hell! Modern and funky. Chilled vibe. Venue is in a central location and they give you clear instructions on how to enter and exit the establishment. I stayed in a private room and had no issues. Want reasonable place to stay in heart of cairns… look no further - Cheers Freedom Cairns!

Sarah, 1-night trip

2/10 Poor

Aug 8, 2023

I WOULD NOT LET MY ANIMALS STAY HERE AS FOR THE STAFF THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED IN CULTURAL AWARENESS I PAID BOOKINGS AND WAS TOLD I AM NOT ALLOWED TO STAY AND DID NOT RECIEVE ANY PAYMENTS BACK.. WAS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.. PLEASE EXPLAIN???

stephen, 1-night trip

6/10 Good

Dec 8, 2022

It is what it says it is. When you walk in the first gate you walk past a sign that says “ unisex waxing” you start to assume the worst. Facilities were clean, Just like a campsite. Beds however, mine had a stain on it and so friends ‘fluffy’ blanket was not being used. Some PowerPoints didn’t work. No window. We left after the first night to stay elsewhere.

Tayla, 2-night trip

6/10 Good

Jan 11, 2024

Check in was great, friendly and quick. Only issue was coming back to the hostel at night when reception was closed, the app used to open the doors did not work. Rang the phone number but no answer. Another guest had the same issue until a third guest tried and the door opened. They rang back over an hour later once I was asleep. Had the other guest not been able to open the door, I would not have been able to get in. Yet the app worked to open the door to my room

Matt, 1-night trip

2/10 Poor

Oct 14, 2022

I already wrote a review about this place. It wasn’t advertised as a hostel and when I got there I needed to download an application (Goki), which did not work to open the main door. There wasn’t any manager either, just a guy without a shirt who changed the combination number given to me through email. He obviously knew the combination of my room, even when I changed it in front of him as he looked at it along with his friend. I got a bad vibe about the place, used the restroom, which was filthy, and booked for another place. I WANT EXPEDIA TO REFUND ME.

Jaime, 2-night trip

2/10 Poor

Aug 31, 2024

Staff seem to not care about this place, the cleaning is surface and thick dust on vents, top of any surface. Floors and bathrooms were cleaned terribly, with thick ingrained dirt around the edges. Cracks tiles, some broken showers, 1 working tumble dryer out of 4, water damage in areas and paint falling off walls in the bed room which were cleaner then the communual areas but defiantly not clean. Staff beside 1 seemed rude and when I asked what the situation with the kitchen was as I have not been there before she said use a box and I couldn't find one as they are overfilled with several “staff” labeled boxes taking up multiple per person. They responded that, it wasn't their problem and I had to figure it out. They had somebags at the bottom which had to be removed as a message was sent to everyoneim not sure what those people did. The kitchen is incredibly dirty, no fresh tea towels available and old dirt almost every where. .the comunnal areas had some sofas which you could see the dirt build up on them. I felt like they didn't care or haven't for a long while. This place could be so much better but its just lacking management and quality staff. I hate to leave a bad review but it was gross. I would add photos but it won't let me

5-night trip

8/10 Very good

Aug 9, 2025

Little Drifter.

Had a private room for rwo for four days. The room was entirely adequate but could've benefited with more hanging options for damp towels.

Geoffrey, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 1, 2025

War alles top!

Beatrix Barbara, 3-night trip

4/10 Fair

Jan 28, 2025

This hostel was very dirty when we arrived, even though the bathrooms had apparently been cleaned just 1/2 hours before. The rooms felt very much like a prison, literally a bed, hard floor and no windows. I will give credit to the staff who quickly moved us rooms and apologised for the bathrooms but I would not stay again or recommend.

sophie, 5-night trip

8/10 Very good

Dec 11, 2024

Property was in a good location but the kitchen was very full and hard to find any space.

Monique, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Nov 16, 2024

Great hostel option

Really nice hostel, central location with lots to walk to- they held luggage for us from our early flight which was super helpful.

Angela, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Oct 27, 2024

A very good backpacker type of place

In a central location, very close to both attractions and amenities (restaurants, bars, shops, bottle (liquor) store.) All star ratings are relative, i.e., based on this being a backpacker dormitory type of place. Needed a place to stay on short notice and was able to get room with just four beds and semi-private pair of toilet + shower rooms. People staying observed the 10 PM quiet hour start. The people out on the street, not so much.

Robert L, 1-night trip