Welcome to Dreamtime—an award-winning budget hostel with a big heart. If you're looking for a clean, friendly and relaxed place to stay while exploring Cairns, you've found it. We're not a party hostel. You can actually get a good night's sleep before chasing waterfalls, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef or heading into the rainforest. Dreamtime is full of character. We keep things simple, affordable and welcoming. We don't have hotel-style rooms or fancy facilities—but we do have comfy beds, clean spaces, a lush tropical garden, a great vibe and a small dedicated team who genuinely care about making your stay in Cairns memorable. We've traveled the world ourselves, so we know what makes a great hostel. We're always happy to share local tips, recommend our favorite hidden gems, and help you save money with discounts on tours booked through us. We're also passionate about looking after this beautiful corner of the world. We compost, recycle, reduce single-use plastics and do our best to tread lightly, because paradise deserves a little love. Dreamtime has been welcoming travelers since 1993, and many guests return again and again. (One even loved us enough to get a Dreamtime tattoo—we're still blushing.) Our hostel is best suited to independent travelers looking for great value, a relaxed atmosphere and friendly people. If you're after hotel luxury, we aren't your perfect match. But if you want a budget hostel with beaten up pots & pans, we'd love to welcome you. Standard Policies: We are a small, independent hostel, our reception is open from 9.00am - 5.00pm. A valid passport is required for all guests. Late check-in's are ok. If you plan to arrive after 5pm, please email us before you arrive with a screenshot of your passport, and we will provide instructions on how to self-check-in. Email: [email protected] Phone: (07) 4000 0467 (between 9am - 5pm) We have a storage cupboard for luggage. If you need to hang around while you wait for your flight, you are welcome to use our facilities. Also - there is an awesome cafe right next door to us. The coffee is amazing. We operate with a maximum 14-day stay policy in any 30 day period. Any bookings made to accumulate more than 14 days will be canceled. No shows will be charged the first night's accommodations. We have a pretty laid-back atmosphere at Dreamtime. However, to maintain our chilled atmosphere we do not allow: Children under 16 years of age. If you are aged 65 or above, you may be more comfortable in a hotel/motel with private facilities (this is based directly on feedback from everyone over 65 who we've welcomed)

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.1)

  • FREE parking!


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Availability

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Room Type
Number of guests
 
3 twin beds
1 full bed
1 full bed
2 twin beds
1 twin bed
2 twin beds
1 twin bed
1 bunk bed
1 bunk bed
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
Facilities
Cleanliness
Comfort
Value for money
Location
Free Wifi

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See what guests loved the most:

Ida
Canada Canada
Lots of comfy communal spaces, cozy vibes, beautiful space, helpful staff.
Noya
United States United States
I liked that it was not a party hostel. The atmosphere was very calm and all the guests were considerate of one another.
A2bh
France France
Kind and helpful staff. Clean washroom/kitchen. Nice common areas. Would definitely recommend
Pedro
Portugal Portugal
The place is lovely, very chilled, clean. Staff was also friendly and easy going
Mark
Australia Australia
I enjoyed a quiet, clean, atmospheric evening in this grand old queenlander. Late check in no problem. Security good. Will stay again. There is plenty of nearby street parking. Short walk to restaurants and shopping. 10 minutes to airport.
Sara
Australia Australia
Always good vibes at the travellers group of hostels. This one is quieter that the one I stayed at around the corner which I liked. Really nice clean room and facilities. Staff are lovely. Great location.
Tash
Cambodia Cambodia
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Dreamtime was definitely a choice I am glad that I made. It was clean, comfortable and the amenities, especially the pool and kitchen, were great. I felt right at home. Also, the staff were incredible. Tim especially went well...
Alexander
United States United States
Really nice spot! I stayed in one of the private rooms and it was clean and comfortable. Staff were friendly. The hostel is about a 15-20 minute walk from the esplanade, with a few restaurants and bars even closer. It was quiet and a nice spot to...
Cindy
United States United States
Paul and Tim were so helpful and so kind. My room was a small single room. Nothing fancy, but comfortable and I slept well. It was pretty quiet. The bathrooms and kitchens are well kept. There are several outdoor and covered sitting areas and a...
Dóra
Hungary Hungary
Great location, well equipped kitchen, clean rooms and facilities.

Area info

Amenities of Dreamtime Hostel

Great facilities! Review score, 8.8

Most popular amenities

  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Free Wifi
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Laundry

House rules

Dreamtime Hostel takes special requests – add in the next step!
Check-in
From 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
Children & Beds

Child policies

Children not allowed.

Crib and extra bed policies

Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

Age restriction
Check-in is only possible for guests between 18 and 50 years old
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Groups
When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional fees may apply.
Accepted payment methods
VisaMastercardEftposCash

The fine print

Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note that all guests including children need to provide a valid passport at check-in.

Please inform Dreamtime Hostel of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

FAQs about Dreamtime Hostel