In the heart of Cairns, The Espy Hostel offers a vibrant atmosphere with an outdoor pool and laundry facilities. Connect to in-room WiFi, grab tickets for local attractions with tour assistance, and unwind on the terrace. Previous guests rave about the helpful staff.
When you stay at The Espy Hostel, you'll be in a great location, within just a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. An outdoor pool and a terrace are offered, and in-room conveniences include refrigerators and microwaves. Fellow travelers say great things about the helpful staff.
At a glance
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Hotel size
17 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
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Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Guests are required to download the property's Goki mobile app before check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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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
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Children
Children (17 years old and younger) not allowed
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Pets
Pets not allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms (speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices))
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No onsite parking
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Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Tour/ticket assistance
Laundry facilities
Facilities
Terrace
Television in common areas
An outdoor pool
Room amenities
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi (speed of 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices))
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Microwave
Shared kitchen access
Stovetop
Toaster
Cookware, dishes, and utensils
Kitchen island
More
Housekeeping once per stay
Cleaning supplies
Fees & policies
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit on site.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB International, Union Pay
Also known as
The Espy Hostel Cairns
Cairns Waterfront Haven
The Espy Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
The Espy Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Cairns
Frequently asked questions
Does The Espy Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Espy Hostel 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.
Is there a pool at The Espy Hostel?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at The Espy Hostel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at The Espy Hostel?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at The Espy Hostel.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Espy Hostel?
You can check in starting at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Is there an onsite casino at The Espy Hostel?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Reef Hotel Casino (6-min walk) and Cazalys Cairns (5-min drive) are both nearby.
What is there to do at The Espy Hostel and nearby?
The Espy Hostel has an outdoor pool.
What's the area around The Espy Hostel like?
The Espy Hostel is in Cairns Central Business District, a short 1-minute walk from Cairns Esplanade and 7 minutes' walk from Reef Fleet Terminal.
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Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
7.4
Cleanliness
7.0
Amenities
7.6
Staff & service
7.0
Property conditions & facilities
Popular mentions
Room
Location
Towns
Bathroom
Waterfront
Kitchen
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 4, 2025
I loved the spacious kitchen and clean bathrooms facilities. The location was perfect! Just next to the lagoon, shopping malls, bus stop and the beach front.
THECKLA
THECKLA, 5-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 20, 2023
It was great, in the centre of town, cheap, good kitchen with everything you need and a pool!
Drew
Drew, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 7, 2025
It was a quiet and comfortable environment
Yuki
Yuki, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Jan 16, 2025
Best location
Difficult to check in but friendly staff, not tidy rooms but best location in cairns!
Verified traveler
2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 25, 2025
Location excellent
Greatest location. Right on the esplanade. Small private room. Simple, clean, safe, affordable.
Jurdy
Jurdy, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
May 28, 2024
Awesome staff and great location! Thanks Monica!
Jackson
Jackson, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jan 17, 2025
Very easy to find hostel. Convenient in and out. Room and facilities were clean. Bed was comfortable. Shower was hot. Good value for money.
Valerie
Valerie, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Aug 18, 2023
Covenient location. Close to everything. Nice and quiet.
Ruveen
Ruveen, 4-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jan 19, 2024
Top position in the city center
The room was really big with a lot of space, the problem was humidity, there was mold in the walls and got worse during the days we stayed. The kitchen is well equipped and has also an airfryer.
The best was location really near everything supermarket , port and lagoon pool.
Laura
Laura, 5-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
May 20, 2025
Stayed 4 nights – central location, budget accommodation. Check-in via email code worked well. You get what you pay for – affordable stay, but basic standards. Some bathrooms out of order, and the rest could use maintenance. Kitchen okay but messy inconsiderate guests (my food was left outside fridge overnight). Very noisy overall – AC had to run constantly in the room and was extremely loud. Staff were friendly and helpful. 40+ solo traveler on a budget, two nights would’ve been enough.
Fiona
Fiona, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 23, 2023
Great location on the boardwalk
Excellent location right on the waterfront. Self check-in did not work for me either time staying here but they have a number you can call 24 hours to check in. Rooms are pretty sparse but decently comfortable. No comforter on the bed (only a bed sheet) but it's warm enough that you don't really need it. A/C units are also pretty strong. Not loud at night.
Evan
Evan, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 23, 2024
Great property in a great location. Clean and no bugs. Great shower pressure!!
Staff was friendly and helpful. Had a tour company on site to help with bookings, which was amazing.
Kitchen was helpful to have for making our own morning coffee or tea before heading out for the day.
Didn’t use the pool as had been out each day all day on boats to the reef, and this location is directly across the street from the lagoon.
At first we were worried as I hadn’t realized I’d booked a hostel and not a hotel room. This hostel was quiet at night. I would recommend this location for anyone travelling to the area. It was absolutely what we needed and right near everything we wanted to see or do. All the restaurant choices you could imagine and at least 10 ice cream shops in a one block radius. The bonus of the night market next door was great for nik nacks and things we’d left at home.
Jennifer
Jennifer, 5-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Nov 5, 2023
Super convenient, right on the Esplanade close to food, wharf, and you can book tours right at the "reception" desk. Reception folks were very helpful.
There were lots of cockroaches in my room -- scampering thru day and night. I was told "it's the tropics," "it's that time of year," and "we have exterminators in every month." The manager left with my a spray bottle of Raid.
Secondly, the kitchen facilities were packed. It was nearly impossible to find room in any of the fridges, and waiting in line to cook or clean at any mealtime was routine.
Jessi Rose
Verified
4/10 Fair
Sep 6, 2024
The property atmosphere was awesome! Everyone was really nice and it was calm and quiet. The reason it is ranking low there were ants in my room. The shower was broken. out of the two showers near me one was dangling off the wall and I had to hold it up. The other shower didn't drain and so I was standing in a foot of water during my shower. The staff was responsive but unprofessional. He came to solve one of my problems quickly but arrived in only underwear. the building is half inside and half outside do you can see roots of above trees in the bathroom and not all shared areas kitchen and hang out spaces had a full roof. However, induvial rooms are enclosed and have wall air conditioning units but you cannot adjust the temperature and I was really cold. Location was perfect and in walking distance to everything we wanted to do and or walking distance to a pick up location to the day tours we booked.
Lauren
Lauren, 6-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 11, 2023
Location, location, location!
Great place to stay on the heart of Cairns, everything is on your doorstep. Rooms are very basic but the Espy is all about location. Other guests and staff were friendly and engaging, the shared kitchen was clean and had everything you could want for food preparation. Given the price, you can't go past this place. The code system to access the building and rooms needs attention and can be frustrating but support from management was immediate and always forthcoming as required.
steven
steven, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 10, 2022
Great location, good vibes.
Harinath
Harinath, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 1, 2022
A hostel with everything I needed, a great location and a friendly staff.
Jason
Jason, 7-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 13, 2025
Food flair and flavors
Peaceful and easy with the added bonus of international aromas
Timothy
Timothy, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 25, 2022
Central location, easy walk to absolutely everything,clean facilities and lovely staff.
amanda
amanda, 8-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 3, 2024
Great hostal
Maria
Maria, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Oct 2, 2024
Right in the middle of town
Enough hostel eating area
Hans
Hans, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 22, 2024
Bang for the buck 👍
Charity
Charity, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 26, 2024
Nice wall painting, kind staff. Long term travelers are also kind.
HIKARU
HIKARU, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 8, 2025
Good
Gaku
Gaku, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 27, 2023
I was so impressed at the quality for a low budget place. The guests were very respectful, friendly. The kitchen facilities were good. I would stay again. I did notice someone was sleeping kitchen when I woke up at 5am. Not sure if he was guest in the hotel.