--- title: "Dreamtime Hostel vs The Jack Backpackers | StayVersus" description: "Pick Dreamtime Hostel. It leads in 2 of 4 categories. Dreamtime Hostel or The Jack Backpackers in Cairns? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms…" url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/dreamtime-hostel-cairns-vs-the-jack-backpackers-cairns/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-13 --- # Dreamtime Hostel vs The Jack Backpackers Both are in Cairns, 550 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) Hotel · ★★ · Cairns City ## [The Jack Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-jack-backpackers-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 8.3 · Very good - **Location score:** 8.3 - **Score by category:** 1 of 4 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2202898/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Dreamtime Hostel It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 550 m apart. ### Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want - the more consistently praised stay - a smaller, quieter hotel ### Choose The Jack Backpackers if you want - to be closer to the beach - more restaurants on the doorstep - a big hotel with more facilities ### Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than The Jack Backpackers? 1. Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.3) (+0.8) 2. Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★) (+1★) 3. 220 m closer to public transport (−220 m) 4. Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00) (−2h) ### Why is The Jack Backpackers better than Dreamtime Hostel? 1. 400 m closer to the beach (610 m vs 1.0 km) (−400 m) 2. 66 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+66) 3. More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 79) (+12) 4. 5 more sights within 1 km (+5) 5. Later check-out (11:00 vs 10:00) (+1h) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Dreamtime Hostel | The Jack Backpackers | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+0.8) | 8.3 | | Location | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Beach access | 6.9 | 8.2 (+1.3) | | Public transport | 10.0 (+1.1) | 8.9 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 8.5 (+0.2) | 8.3 | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+0.8) | 8.3 | | Number of reviews | 13 | 22 (+9) | | Google rating | 4.6/5 | – | | Google reviews | 340 | – | | Rank in Cairns | top 35% (+25%) | top 60% | | Location | | Location score | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Distance to Cairns City centre | 400 m | 270 m (−130 m) | | To the beach | 1.0 km | 610 m (−400 m) | | To public transport | 130 m (−220 m) | 350 m | | To the airport | 5.6 km | 5.8 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 84 | 150 (+66) | | Sights within 1 km | 7 | 12 (+5) | | Rooms & building | | Star rating | ★★★ (+1★) | ★★ | | Rooms | 1 | 36 | | Floors | – | 1 | | Newest building or renovation | – | 2025 | | Listed amenities | 4 | – | | Policies | | Check-in from | 12:00 (−2h) | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 10:00 | 11:00 (+1h) | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – | | Free parking | ✓ | – | | Swimming pool | ✓ | – | | Air conditioning | ✓ | – | | Which hotel suits you | | Families with children | ✓ | ✓ | | Couples | ✓ | ✓ | | Beach holidays | – | ✓ | | Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | ✓ | | Business trips | ✓ | – | | Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ | [Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-jack-backpackers-cairns-vs-dreamtime-hostel-cairns/) ## Location 550 m apart ## Dreamtime Hostel or The Jack Backpackers: common questions ### Which is better, Dreamtime Hostel or The Jack Backpackers? Dreamtime Hostel leads in 2 of 4 categories, including guest rating, public transport. The Jack Backpackers is stronger in beach access. ### Which is cheaper, Dreamtime Hostel or The Jack Backpackers? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? The Jack Backpackers is closer: 270 m from the centre, against 400 m for Dreamtime Hostel. ### Which hotel is closer to the beach? The Jack Backpackers is 610 m from the nearest beach; Dreamtime Hostel is 1.0 km. ### How far apart are Dreamtime Hostel and The Jack Backpackers? The two hotels are 550 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/) - [The Jack Backpackers vs Wanna Stay?](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-jack-backpackers-cairns-vs-wanna-stay-cairns/) - [The Jack Backpackers vs Bounce Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bounce-cairns-cairns-vs-the-jack-backpackers-cairns/) - [The Jack Backpackers vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Central](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-the-jack-backpackers-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/