About this property

You simply can't beat our location – we're directly on the vibrant Cairns Esplanade, with the stunning Cairns Lagoon just across the street! Pop down for a refreshing dip or spend the afternoon sunbathing anytime you fancy. We're also just a stone's throw away from the bustling Night Markets, perfect for grabbing a bite or a unique souvenir. Welcome to Mad Monkey Waterfront, where unbeatable location meets a true "home away from home" vibe in the heart of Cairns! As a proud part of the Mad Monkey Backpackers Group, our smaller, intimate property makes it incredibly easy to meet people, build lasting friendships, and truly become part of our extended Mad Monkey Family as you explore the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Our cozy common room is the heart of our social scene, perfect for unwinding after a day out: challenge new friends to board games, join a Nintendo Switch tournament, or settle in for a film night on Netflix. Our fully equipped modern kitchen is always ready for you to cook up a meal, truly making you feel at home. Here's what you'll enjoy with every stay: - Ultrafast WiFi - Fully Equipped Kitchen - Fully Air-Conditioned Rooms with Ensuites - Spacious Rooms with Power Point & Bed Light at Each Bed - Free Events & Nightly Entertainment (including pub crawls to top backpacker bars!) You'll enjoy a comfortable stay in our spacious and clean rooms, all featuring air-conditioning to keep you cool in the tropical climate. Choose from Mixed Dorms Ensuite, Female Dorms Ensuite, or Private Double Rooms. All our dorms come with a private private bathroom, high-quality mattresses, pillows, and linen. Plus, every bunk bed is equipped with a personal USB port and power socket to keep your devices charged. Private rooms include personal towels; dorm guests can easily hire one from reception if needed. Stay connected with ultra-fast Free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring you won't miss a beat. Important Info for Your Stay: - Reception is open 8 am - 8 pm. If you plan to check in after 8pm, please inform us in advance, as our night manager will assist you. - Check-out is before 10 am / Check-in is after 2 pm. - We are a strictly 18+ property. While all adults are welcome, dorm rooms are recommended for guests aged 18 to 35. - A valid physical passport is required for check-in. Photocopies will not be accepted. - Your card will be charged 1 day prior to your arrival. Please ensure there are sufficient funds to avoid cancelation. - Group Bookings: Bookings of 4 or more guests are subject to different terms and conditions, and we cannot guarantee placing all members of a group booking in the same room. - No E-Bike batteries are allowed on the premises. We look forward to welcoming you to the Mad Monkey Family so you can experience Cairns in style!

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.9 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

  • Located in the top-rated area in Cairns, this property has an excellent location score of 9.5!

  • Want a great night's sleep? This property was highly rated for its very comfy beds.

Private parking available


Availability

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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
Facilities
Cleanliness
Comfort
Value for money
Location
Free Wifi

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Guests who stayed here loved

Grace
Australia Australia
Pretty quiet place for a backpackers and I loved how central the location is.
Coleson
Australia Australia
I worked for accommodation at Mad Monkey Waterfront and loved my experience! Everyone that lives and works there are SO nice! I couldn't have asked for a better place to live. Waterfront is definitely more chill than other Mad Monkeys in Cairns...
Heather
United States United States
The staff were so kind and efficient. You couldn’t ask for a friendlier group. The location is right at the heart of Cairns.
Isha
India India
Loved everything. Everything was in order and safe. Best part was the location, right at the waterfront and almost in the middle of the town, so everything was close by.
Emily
United States United States
Great hostel, had a nice kitchen/tv area to hang out in. Was so close to so many restaurants and the lagoon, location couldn’t be better!
Ashley
Australia Australia
The rooms, bathrooms, and kitchen were very clean and nice. I loved the social atmosphere. Perfect location with access to many restaurants and the public lagoon. Will definitely stay again.
Roxane
Canada Canada
First time in cairns and all i could say is that i spent a lovely time here. The reception staff were very friendly and i felt at home on my first day. Special thanks to Joel, Francisco and Emma and all the other staff. See you soon!
Tsai-hsia
Taiwan Taiwan
A good stay, every thing is excellent. Cleanliness.
Emily
United States United States
Clean hostel and perfect location right by the water. Friendly people and chill vibes. Close to restaurants and bars and just a couple minutes walk to the marina for trips out to the reef. Enjoyed my time here!
Abby
Sweden Sweden
Such a great location, super close to the port which is perfect for anyone looking to do a reef trip. The rooms are really big and always clean. The common areas are super social and a great place to meet new friends! The staff are also super...

Area info

House rules

Mad Monkey Waterfront takes special requests – add in the next step!
Check-in
From 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 7:00 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
The minimum age for check-in is 18
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Accepted payment methods
VisaMastercardCash

The fine print

Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note that all guests need to show a valid physical passport upon arrival.

The property cannot accept guests under the age of 18 years.

All guests must sign the property's Terms of Stay.

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please note that there is a 1% charge when you pay with a credit card.

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform Mad Monkey Waterfront 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.

It's not possible to stay at this property for coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine purposes.