Backpacking Grannies
 

We're two grandmothers, traveling on the cheap and trying to decide which hostel in Cairns would be best for us. We're looking at Dreamtime, Gecko, Gilligan's and Tropic Days. We like a central location and someplace not too noisy. Is there something we've overlooked? Any personal experiences with any of these?

Thanks for your input.

Barbara in CT

Hi Grannies, definitely the most centrally located and well-equipped is the new Gilligans, its right next to and above Rusty's market, which is often mentioned on this site and only a few blocks from the harbour. It looks more like a 4 star hotel than a backpackers. Dreamtime and Gecko's are in an old part of town (behind a shopping centre and railway station) and quite some way from sea. Tropic Days is even further again,in a semi-industrial area.

Hi, Barbara in Connecticut!

That last reply is typical of the Pat Woolford we've come to know and love on Fodors... we get people all the time here masquerading as bona fide tourists in order to sneakily promote their own establishments.... Pat, however, has too much class for that, and hence gives all this advice without mentioning that she, in fact, runs the nicest, and best value, place to stay in the whole area, one that will leave these others in the shade!

Well, Pat, I'm not as classy as you.... if you won't plug your own B&B, I will! Barbara, take a look at http://www.lilybank.com.au/. If I were holidaying in Cairns, that would be where I'd be heading. I know that there I won't just get a room... I'll be looked after, cared about, and given all the right advice so that my holiday was truly memorable. There are qualities at Lilybank that, frankly, money just can't buy. Just ask Andrew over in Oregon!

I was absolutely gobsmacked just driving past Gilligans. Looks like a casino. It may be centrally located but I suspect Pat has absolutely no idea of what the inside of a b/p like that (or any b/p really) might be like. Yes, the facilities could well be great - you know - bar, internet, free coffee, etc, etc. It's a place for the gap year folk.

Dreamtime and Geckos (only a little way apart on the same road) are a little further out. But it's a small town.

I walked back to Geckos quite happily at 9.00 or 9.30 pm - and there are two of you so there is no reason at all to get psyched out.

Geckos is lovely - really friendly welcome; garden; wooden floors; old house; interesting people - and clean - just tons better than a soulless, fleece-em, just rake the money in place like Gilligans.

Just my opinion.

Thanks for the feed back. I am aware of Lilybank but it is out of our price range as is Gilligan's it appears. We are also well out of Gilligan's demographic. We'll probably end up flipping a coin between Dreamtime and Gecko.

Barbara in CT

Have you considered booking a cabin in a caravan park? Most caravan parks in Australia have them, from upmarket ones with ensuite bathrooms to more basic where you provide bed linens. It might be worth checking the cost and also how far out of town they are. Some websites that might help are:
www.jasons.com.au
www.toptouristparks.com.au
www.big4.com.au
also try a search on Google.
A bonus would be meeting lots of older retired people who are caravanning and camping their way around Australia and always welcome a chat!
Kay