---
title: "Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront, Cairns | StayVersus"
description: "Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront in Cairns: rated 8.2 by guests, 3-star. Amenities, location and nearby alternatives compared side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-12
---

Hostel · ★★★ · Mad Monkey
# Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Cairns City, Cairns, Australia

8.2 ·  Very good 100 reviews ·  #88 #88 of 140 in Cairns ·  4.5/5 on Google, 483 reviews ·  9.6 Location score
## About Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront is a hostel in Cairns City, Cairns, Australia. It holds a 3-star rating. Guests rate it 8.2 out of 10 across 100 reviews. Facilities include bar, free wi-fi. It is 1.7 km from the centre of Cairns. The nearest beach is 70 m away. The nearest airport, Cairns International Airport (CNS), is 5.3 km away.

- **Type:** Hostel

- **Star rating:** ★★★

- **Check-in from:** 14:00

- **Check-out until:** 10:00

- **Chain:** Mad Monkey

- **Smoking:** Smoke-free property

- **Other stays within 500 m:** 34

93A Esplanade [flyingmonkeybackpackers.com](http://flyingmonkeybackpackers.com/)

## How Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront scores

Better rated than 35% of hotels in Cairns

-   Guest rating **8.2**
-   Location **9.6**
-   Beach access **10.0**
-   Public transport **8.4**

Cairns average

## Rating on Google

4.5/5

483 Google reviews

-   5★66%
-   4★18%
-   3★9%
-   2★3%
-   1★5%

From the property’s public Google Maps listing. It is shown for reference and is not part of the StayVersus score.

## Amenities

### Food & drink

-   Breakfast
-   Bar

### Internet

-   Free Wi-Fi

### Parking & transport

-   Parking

### Services

-   Shuttle
-   Laundry
-   Luggage storage

### In the rooms

-   Air conditioning
-   Kitchen

### Policies

-   Smoke-free

Based on the property listing at our booking partner.

## Location

- **Location score:** **9.6**/10

- **Walk grade:** **91**/100 Great for walkers

- **Restaurants & cafés within 500 m:** **150**

- **Sights within 1 km:** **12**

<table class="dist" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><tbody data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest beach<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""></span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">70 m</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">1 min walk</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest station<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Stoney Creek Railway Station</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">450 m</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">7 min walk</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest airport<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Cairns International Airport (CNS)</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">5.3 km</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">12 min drive</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Distance to the centre<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Cairns</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">1.7 km</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">4 min drive</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Sights nearby

-   Hartleys Crocodile Zoo140 m
-   Cairns Cenotaph210 m
-   Cairns War Memorial220 m
-   Kokoda Hall230 m
-   Cairns Aquarium280 m
-   Cairns Museum350 m

## Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront: in detail

Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities. Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available. Prior to your check-in date, you can arrange airport transportation services, guaranteeing a seamless and efficient experience for both arrival and departure. Experience the wonders of Cairns with ease by utilizing the services provided at shuttle. Parking is accessible, supplied by the hostel for guests who arrive by car. Reception services featuring luggage storage are available to cater to your requirements. Securing passes to the city's top attractions is simple with the hostel's ticket service and tours. For extended visits or whenever required, the laundromat and laundry service ensures your preferred travel garments remain clean and accessible. Need some relaxation? Your room features daily housekeeping to make your stay even more comfortable and enjoyable. The hostel is completely smoke-free. In limited designated zones, smoking is exclusively permitted. Crafted for coziness, every guestroom provides an array of features, guaranteeing a tranquil night's sleep while maintaining the level of comfort. For an elevated experience at hostel, select rooms are equipped with air conditioning to improve your stay. Maintain your cleanliness and feel revitalized using a hair dryer available in select guest restrooms. Each morning at Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront, a scrumptious, homemade breakfast kick-starts the day. During your visit, indulge in a range of delightful culinary choices at hostel to enhance your experience. Experience a fantastic evening effortlessly! Relish an entertaining night without venturing beyond the confines of the bar. For those with discerning taste buds, having an on-site BBQ facilities and shared kitchen at your disposal will undoubtedly be appreciated. Indulge in the numerous pursuits available at Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront. Eliminate those holiday calories by stopping by hostel and making use of their well-equipped exercise amenities.

### Compare

## Compare Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront with nearby hotels

Similar hotels within 3 km. Open a match-up to see where each one wins.

-   [Global Backpackers Youth Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns/) Hostel ★★ 70 m away
    
    9.0 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/)
-   [Mantra Trilogy Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mantra-trilogy-cairns-cairns/) Hotel ★★★★ 110 m away
    
    8.1 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns-vs-mantra-trilogy-cairns-cairns/)
-   [Il Palazzo Boutique Apartments](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/il-palazzo-boutique-apartments-cairns/) Apartment ★★★★ 110 m away
    
    8.8 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/il-palazzo-boutique-apartments-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/)
-   [BreakFree Royal Harbour Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/breakfree-royal-harbour-cairns-cairns/) Hotel ★★★★ 120 m away
    
    8.6 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/breakfree-royal-harbour-cairns-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/)
-   [Cairns Aquarius Apartments](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/cairns-aquarius-apartments-cairns/) Apartment ★★★★ 170 m away
    
    8.6 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cairns-aquarius-apartments-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/)
-   [Oaks Cairns Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/oaks-cairns-hotel-cairns/) Hotel ★★★★ 180 m away
    
    9.1 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns-vs-oaks-cairns-hotel-cairns/)

## Questions about Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

### How do guests rate Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront has a guest rating of 8.2 out of 10 from 100 reviews, which is better than 35% of rated hotels in Cairns.

### What are the check-in and check-out times at Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is until 10:00.

### Does Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront include breakfast?

Breakfast is available. Whether it is included depends on the rate you book.

### Is there parking at Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?

Yes, parking is available; charges may apply.

### How far is Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront from the airport?

The nearest airport, Cairns International Airport (CNS), is 5.3 km away in a straight line.

### Is Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront close to the beach?

The nearest beach is 70 m from the hotel.

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/hotel/mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-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/