--- title: "Dreamtime Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Central" description: "Pick Dreamtime Hostel. It leads in 2 of 4 categories. Dreamtime Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central in Cairns? Compare guest ratings, location…" url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-13 --- # Dreamtime Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Central Both are in Cairns, 430 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hostel · ★★★ · Cairns City ## [Dreamtime Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/dreamtime-hostel-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 9.1 · Excellent - **Location score:** 8.2 - **Score by category:** 2 of 4 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1367786/agoda/?lang=en) Hostel · ★★ · Cairns City ## [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 7.7 · Good - **Location score:** 8.3 - **Score by category:** 1 of 4 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1809419/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Dreamtime Hostel It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 430 m apart. ### Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want - the more consistently praised stay ### Choose Mad Monkey Backpackers Central if you want - to be closer to the beach - more restaurants on the doorstep ### Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? 1. Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 7.7) (+1.4) 2. Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★) (+1★) 3. 280 m closer to public transport (−280 m) 4. Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00) (−2h) ### Why is Mad Monkey Backpackers Central better than Dreamtime Hostel? 1. 430 m closer to the beach (570 m vs 1.0 km) (−430 m) 2. More guest reviews (67 vs 13), so the rating is more reliable (×5.2) 3. 66 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+66) 4. More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 79) (+12) 5. 6 more sights within 1 km (+6) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Dreamtime Hostel | Mad Monkey Backpackers Central | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+1.4) | 7.7 | | Location | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Beach access | 6.9 | 8.4 (+1.5) | | Public transport | 10.0 (+1.4) | 8.6 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 8.5 (+0.6) | 7.9 | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+1.4) | 7.7 | | Number of reviews | 13 | 67 (+54) | | Google rating | 4.6/5 | – | | Google reviews | 340 | – | | Rank in Cairns | top 35% (+49%) | top 84% | | Location | | Location score | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Distance to Cairns City centre | 400 m | 120 m (−290 m) | | To the beach | 1.0 km | 570 m (−430 m) | | To public transport | 130 m (−280 m) | 410 m | | To the airport | 5.6 km | 5.4 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 84 | 150 (+66) | | Sights within 1 km | 7 | 13 (+6) | | Rooms & building | | Star rating | ★★★ (+1★) | ★★ | | Rooms | 1 | – | | Listed amenities | 4 | 11 (+7) | | Policies | | Check-in from | 12:00 (−2h) | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | | Free parking | ✓ | – | | Swimming pool | ✓ | – | | Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | | Airport transfer | – | ✓ | | Laundry | – | ✓ | | Luggage storage | – | ✓ | | Bar | – | ✓ | | Gym | – | ✓ | | Kitchen | – | ✓ | | In-room safe | – | ✓ | | Which hotel suits you | | Families with children | ✓ | ✓ | | Couples | ✓ | – | | Beach holidays | – | ✓ | | Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | ✓ | | Business trips | ✓ | – | | Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ | [Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-dreamtime-hostel-cairns/) ## Location 430 m apart ## Dreamtime Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central: common questions ### Which is better, Dreamtime Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? Dreamtime Hostel leads in 2 of 4 categories, including guest rating, public transport. Mad Monkey Backpackers Central is stronger in beach access. ### Which is cheaper, Dreamtime Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? Mad Monkey Backpackers Central is closer: 120 m from the centre, against 400 m for Dreamtime Hostel. ### Which hotel is closer to the beach? Mad Monkey Backpackers Central is 570 m from the nearest beach; Dreamtime Hostel is 1.0 km. ### How far apart are Dreamtime Hostel and Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? The two hotels are 430 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Dreamtime Hostel vs Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-travellers-paradise-heritage-historical-cairns/) - [Dreamtime Hostel vs Ryans Rest Boutique Accommodation](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-ryans-rest-boutique-accommodation-cairns/) - [Dreamtime Hostel vs Cairns City Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cairns-city-backpackers-cairns-vs-dreamtime-hostel-cairns/) - [Dreamtime Hostel vs Southern Cross Atrium Apartments](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-southern-cross-atrium-apartments-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Bounce Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bounce-cairns-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Mumma 's Hostel Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-mumma-s-hostel-cairns-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Wanna Stay?](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-wanna-stay-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs The Jack Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-the-jack-backpackers-cairns/) ## Compare now Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/