Little Drifter Cairns

Hostel in Cairns, steps from Cairns Esplanade

Choose dates to view prices

Where to?

Dates

November 2025

6

December 2025

The Village Cairns - Hostel is centrally located with a friendly atmosphere. It offers practical amenities like laundry facilities and a lobby TV. Knowledgeable staff provide concierge services and tour assistance, helping guests access nearby attractions easily.

Very good

Popular amenities

Housekeeping
Air conditioning
Laundry
Free WiFi

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Nov 6 - Nov 7

Tomorrow

Nov 7 - Nov 8

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

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About the area

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 Station - 9 min walk
Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Roti Shack - ‬1 min walk
‪Wawawa Izakaya - ‬1 min walk
‪Prawn Star - ‬1 min walk
‪Crave Cairns - ‬1 min walk
‪Corea Corea - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Little Drifter Cairns

Hostel near Cairns Esplanade

Close to Reef Fleet Terminal and Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Little Drifter Cairns provides a terrace, laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

You'll also find perks such as:

Concierge services, a TV in reception and luggage storage
Tour/ticket information
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff

Room features

All 54 rooms boast comforts such as air conditioning, in addition to amenities such as free WiFi.

Other conveniences in all rooms include:

4 bathrooms with showers

Similar properties

Premium bedding, down duvets, desk, blackout curtains

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Laundry
Soundproof rooms

includes taxes & fees

16 Nov - 17 Nov

Property amenities

Internet

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

No on-site parking available

Things to do

TV in common areas

Family friendly

Laundry facilities

Conveniences

Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Lockers
Luggage storage
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator

Guest services

Concierge services
Housekeeping (daily)
Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

Terrace

Accessibility

No lift

More

Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

4 detached shared bathrooms
Hair dryer (on request)
Shower

More

Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime

Contactless check-in and check-out are available

Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 2 per cent for credit card payments

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 2 per cent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

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

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Property is 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

Is Little Drifter Cairns pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Little Drifter Cairns?

As of 6 Nov, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Little Drifter Cairns on 8 Nov, 2025 start from S$131.81, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Little Drifter Cairns?

Little Drifter Cairns doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Little Drifter Cairns?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Little Drifter Cairns?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Little Drifter Cairns located?

Located in Cairns Central Business District, this hostel is steps away from Cairns Regional Gallery and Cairns Esplanade. Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Reef Fleet Terminal are also within 10 minutes. Cairns Station is 9 minutes by foot.

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Little Drifter Cairns Reviews

8.2

Very good

8.2

Cleanliness

10

Location

8.6

Staff & service

7.6

Eco-friendliness

8.2

Property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

James

5 Aug, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Absolutely lovely environment

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniela

24 Jun, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachael Jane

10 Jul, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

4 Sept, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Location location location

Great location super central for all things cairns

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claire

12 Jul, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Bianca

25 Aug, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

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

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Gaku

4 Jan, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Good

Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laisa

29 Oct, 2023

Liked: Property conditions & facilities

Can definitely recommend to others

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Skaren

12 Mar, 2024

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hasibe

26 Jul, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kazuhito

31 Jan, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

We will use it again and the day after tomorrow.

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Mahmut Ayberk

26 Oct, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

29 Jul, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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!

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

stephen

8 Aug, 2023

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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???

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Tayla

8 Dec, 2022

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

6/10 Okay

Matt

11 Jan, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jaime

14 Oct, 2022

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

31 Aug, 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beatrix Barbara

1 Aug, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

War alles top!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

sophie

28 Jan, 2025

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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.

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Monique

11 Dec, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

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

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela

16 Nov, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert L

27 Oct, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Alex

24 Oct, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Nice location and good room.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bianca

17 Oct, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

One of the more respectful, cleaner hostels in cairns, perfect for the more matured generation who respect others privacy, females shared bathroom is extremely clean. Aside from requiring maintenance to 2/3 hand basins and regular topup of hand towels/soap, I cannot fault this hostel.

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024