Say G’day to the best budget accommodation in Cairns

Right near the city centre sits Palm Royale, a 150-room strong accommodation option which spans resort, pool view, executive and family rooms - which means something for every group size and requirement. This place is also not lacking in amenities, despite its budget-friendly pricing, offering its guests a duo of swimming pools surrounded by tropical gardens.

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Firmly family-friendly is this fellow budget accommodation in Cairns. Spread across 11 acres of tropical gardens within easy reach of the airport is this estate interweaving a hotel with three lagoon-style pools and a man-made beach. There’s also a guest lounge, laundry, and a poolside bar and restaurant if you plan onyha staying a while. 

Sanctuary Retreat

Just south of Cairns sits the beachside community of Mission Beach and its Sanctuary Retreat, an affordable eco-lodge with a penchant for all things yoga. You’ll find this option of budget accommodation near Cairns sitting amongst a 50-acre strong private rainforest where regular guests and yoga attendees mingle.

HOSTELS

Cairns Central YHA

There’s no scarcity of backpacker venues in Cairns CBD. One of its key players is Cairns Central YHA which is conveniently close to the action for those eager to explore the city’s cluster of restaurants and nightlife. Choose between air-conditioned twin, double, family and multi-share rooms with both shared bathrooms and ensuites available, partnered with a shared outdoor courtyard and a swimming pool.

Bounce Cairns Hostel

Equally close to Cairns’ leading attractions The Esplanade and the Marina, is fellow hostel Bounce. The award-winning brand bases its offering around a new hybrid of accommodation, one that mingles private suites with dorm-style stays on a resort-style property. It’s a place that’s much loved for good reason, and throws in the option of buffet breakfasts and happy hours as further temptation.

Jackaroo Treehouse

This is your chance to call a giant treehouse home. Jackaroo Treehouse resides in the picturesque Mission Beach, a favourite of working holiday makers (and backpackers to boot). Picture a place with six air-conditioned dorm rooms, as well as the optional privacy of a deluxe double room. All guests are granted access to shared living spaces, a large commercial kitchen, pool and sundeck out back.

Gilligans

Among the most famous budget accommodation options in Cairns is the lively Gilligans. An iconic destination for backpackers, this hostel boasts four storeys of dorm-style accommodation nudging hotel rooms, plus a restaurant, three bars, and a nightclub all in the one place. If you are eager to get out and explore the region you’ll be pleased to know there’s also an internal travel agency organising trips to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest among more.

BUDGET APARTMENTS

Cairns Queenslander Hotel and Apartments

Within walking distance of the Cairns CBD and its many landmarks is this budget-friendly 4 star accommodation option. The contemporary abodes (consisting of both hotel rooms and self-contained apartments) come fully furnished, and boast free WiFi, two swimming pools and private balconies for all guests.

Mission Reef Resort

Or escape to the seaside down south in Mission Beach where this cluster of 26 apartments sits in an amenity-rich complex. Choose between motel or studio rooms, or one and two-bedrooms apartments which feature everything you need to make you feel like you’re at home, from TVs to gardens, and all the cooking tools you could dream of.

CARAVAN PARKS

Kuranda Rainforest Park

Tasman Holiday Parks

A part of the widely spread BIG4 family of caravan parks is this South Mission Beach resident. You’ll be hard-pressed to think of an amenity that this well-kept park doesn’t contain - amongst its cluster of powered and unpowered sites and cabins sits tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, games rooms, and even a cafe.

Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village

Whether you’re a working holidaymaker or just a camper looking for a weekend away, this caravan park has it all (including views of Dunk Island). Just south of Cairns, this budget accommodation option hosts a slew of fully powered sites and cabins (for working holiday makers to enjoy) nudging plenty of manicured gardens and tropical foliage.

Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park

Whoever said that paradise was expensive hasn’t yet paid a visit to this holiday park. Surrounded by mountains sits this stay which consists of a slew of different self-contained cabin accommodation, caravan and camping sites, plus a playground and a pool. But it’s the location that will pull you in - with easy access to bushwalking trails, a freshwater creek, and the Crystal Cascades Waterfalls (hence its name). 

For more budget accommodation options across the state, check out The best places to live in Queensland for Working Holiday Makers.