Hotels & Hostels Cairns Gilligan's

Gilligan's (Hotel)

  • 57-89 Grafton St, City Centre
    Cairns 4870, AUSTRALIA | View map
  • Price Range: Budget
  • Neighbourhood: city centre
  • Atmosphere: Backpacker - Upmarket and Party

Author pick

Dorm Room

Lonely Planet Review

Quotes Don the party shoes and be prepared for blisters. Gilligans is one of the most popular backpackers on the east coast, dishing up loud and lascivious fun on a nightly basis in the throbbing bar. Fortunately the rooms are fancy enough to nurse even the cruellest of hangovers.

Super shmick four- to six-bed dorms are reminiscent of inner city apartments. Within their chocolate brown and beige interiors reside air-con, sparkling en suites, sturdy beds, crisp linen, carpeted floors and sizeable lockers. Each also has a wee balcony with views into the rest of the citadel. Twins and doubles have lashings of space, funky furnishings and TVs. Scattered throughout the myriad of floors are communal kitchens and open TV lounges with a legion of cushions to rest the tush. On the ground floor is a style bar with sueded wedge seating and an outdoor pool-cum-bar-cum-pick-up joint. Somewhere in this fortress you'll also find a salon, mezzanine bar, tour desk, volleyball court and laundry. Sleeping up to 500 people, this is no place for wallflowers, which is why the backpacker and party troupe adore it.

Review by author Justine Vaisutis

How to book this property

This property has been reviewed and recommended by a Lonely Planet author. However it is not bookable online either with Lonely Planet or with a recommended hotel booking provider. In order to book this property please contact them directly.

  • Telephone: 07 4041 6566
  • Email: reservations@gilligansbackpackers.com.au
  • Website: www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au

Map

How To Get There

Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns is the ultimate experience in backpacker’s hotel accommodation and leisure in the heart of the Cairns CBD. From there it is only a short walk to the Esplanade, Lagoon, Reef Boat Terminal and Marina as well as nightclubs, restaurants and shopping malls. From the central location there is easy access to airport, train, interstate coach, local transport and tour buses. The purpose built backpackers resort offers 24-hour reception and check-in to a total of 120 large air-conditioned rooms, all with ensuites and secure card access. Guests can choose 8-bed, 6-bed, 4-bed dorms or private hotel rooms. Within the complex you will find a café and pizzeria, BBQ area, dining hall, guest laundry with ironing facilities, communal kitchens, internet lounges, pool bar and spa area, cocktail bar, gaming area and free car parking.

Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns is the ultimate experience in backpacker’s hotel accommodation and leisure in the heart of the Cairns CBD. From there it is only a short walk to the Esplanade, Lagoon, Reef Boat Terminal and Marina as well as nightclubs, restaurants and shopping malls. From the central location there is easy access to airport, train, interstate coach, local transport and tour buses. The purpose built backpackers resort offers 24-hour reception and check-in to a total of 120 large air-conditioned rooms, all with ensuites and secure card access. Guests can choose 8-bed, 6-bed, 4-bed dorms or private hotel rooms. Within the complex you will find a café and pizzeria, BBQ area, dining hall, guest laundry with ironing facilities, communal kitchens, internet lounges, pool bar and spa area, cocktail bar, gaming area and free car parking.

Author Tip

Right next door are Rusty's Markets. Persevere beyond the kitschy jewellery and sarongs into the inner sanctum, where you'll find fresh and flamboyant produce, organic foods and inventive, multicultural take-away. Tuck into a vegie samosa and amble through homeopathic medicines, hand-made soaps and tropical wines. You know you're onto a good thing when locals dominate the crowd.

Curious Fact

Not only does it resemble an enormous Big Brother house, but booted contestants from the actual show have turned up to cast bewildered waves.