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Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Dreamtime Hostel

Both are in Cairns, 430 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel★★Cairns City

Mad Monkey Backpackers Central

Guest rating
7.7 Good
Location score
8.3
Score by category
1 of 4
Check rates

Hostel★★★Cairns City

Dreamtime Hostel

Guest rating
9.1 Excellent
Location score
8.2
Score by category
2 of 4
Check rates

The short answer

Pick Dreamtime Hostel

It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 430 m apart.

Choose Mad Monkey Backpackers Central if you want

  • to be closer to the beach
  • more restaurants on the doorstep

Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want

  • the more consistently praised stay

Why is Mad Monkey Backpackers Central better than Dreamtime Hostel?

  1. 1430 m closer to the beach (570 m vs 1.0 km)−430 m
  2. 2More guest reviews (67 vs 13), so the rating is more reliable×5.2
  3. 366 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+66
  4. 4More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 79)+12
  5. 56 more sights within 1 km+6

Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than Mad Monkey Backpackers Central?

  1. 1Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 7.7)+1.4
  2. 2Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★)+1★
  3. 3280 m closer to public transport−280 m
  4. 4Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00)−2h

All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

Mad Monkey Backpackers CentralDreamtime Hostel
Score by category
Guest rating 7.7 9.1 +1.4
Location 8.3 8.2
Beach access 8.4 +1.5 6.9
Public transport 8.6 10.0 +1.4
Ratings & reviews
StayVersus score 7.9 8.5 +0.6
Guest rating 7.7 9.1 +1.4
Number of reviews 67 +54 13
Google rating – 4.6/5
Google reviews – 340
Rank in Cairns top 84% top 35% +49%
Location
Location score 8.3 8.2
Distance to Cairns City centre 120 m −290 m 400 m
To the beach 570 m −430 m 1.0 km
To public transport 410 m 130 m −280 m
To the airport 5.4 km 5.6 km
Restaurants within 500 m 150 +66 84
Sights within 1 km 13 +6 7
Rooms & building
Star rating ★★ ★★★ +1★
Rooms – 1
Listed amenities 11 +7 4
Policies
Check-in from 14:00 12:00 −2h
Check-out until 10:00 10:00
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi ✓ ✓
Airport transfer ✓ –
Laundry ✓ –
Luggage storage ✓ –
Bar ✓ –
Gym ✓ –
Air conditioning ✓ ✓
Kitchen ✓ –
In-room safe ✓ –
Free parking – ✓
Swimming pool – ✓
Which hotel suits you
Families with children ✓ ✓
Couples – ✓
Beach holidays ✓ –
Sightseeing on foot ✓ ✓
Business trips – ✓
Spa & relaxation ✓ ✓

Swap sides

Price for your dates

Mad Monkey Backpackers Central

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    Dreamtime Hostel

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      430 m apart

      OpenStreetMap

      Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Dreamtime Hostel: common questions

      Which is better, Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Dreamtime Hostel?

      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, Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Dreamtime Hostel?

      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 Mad Monkey Backpackers Central and Dreamtime Hostel?

      The two hotels are 430 m apart in a straight line.

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      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