Dreamtime Travellers Rest

In the two months I spent travelling in Australia, Dreamtime was by far my favorite hostel. I would highly recommend it, and if I ever make it back to Oz I will, without a doubt, stay there again. The people who work there are friendly and helpful - and they don't push selling tours (how refreshing!). Dreamtime is a small hostel and feels much more like a home than many of the larger hostels. Also, it is located about a 10 minute walk outside of town. This makes for a much quieter hostel, that doesn't tend to attact people staying out all night partying as much as hostel located right on the main street (Although, it is a hostel and if you are sharing a room, be prepared to have people coming in and out at all hours). I am a female who was travelling alone and I felt very safe and welcome at Dreamtime. I did not mind the walk back from town, even late at night.

There are lots of comfy chairs and couches, tables by the pool, books to read, games to play, and tables where everyone tended to eat breakfast together. There was a very nice social atmosphere at Dreamtime (and it's also decorated cute!). All-around awesome hostel!

Unique Quality: Pool, book-exchange, laundry facilities, great tour desk with kind and helpful people, games, great hang-out areas, clean kitchen, coin-operated airconditiong, lots of character and charm.

Bugbackpackers website gave this such great reviews, I had to try it. Since I've never been in another hostel, I don't have much to compare it to. It was very clean and I never had a problem getting to the toilet or shower. It's close to the mall which is a bonus to get out of the heat.

One complaint was that the stereo speakers were right near my window. After spending most nights out, it was upsetting to be woken up so early (personally I need more than 3 hours).

Oh and a warning for single females: take a cab home if you're out late. The hostel is in a nice area, but there's some scary unlit areas between there and the main part of Cairns.

Unique Quality: Very friendly staff and helpful for finding tours or give you recommendations for things to do in town.