Dougies Backpackers

Jeff's cheerful, unbeatable sense of humour made it feel like staying with friends. The campsite is spacious, peaceful, clean and really well equipped, with tents, cabins and van parking. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the welcome was lovely. I've rarely had such good value for money. The only thing that bothered me was how loud the TV and music could be at the same time in the living room. Otherwise, everything was perfect. Thanks for having me!

The rooms were comfortable and clean, and the shared spaces were pretty good. Still, we would have stayed longer if the staff hadn’t been rude. One staff member screamed at me because my partner had changed our booking dates and reception hadn’t updated them properly. A coworker just stared, shocked. Even if a guest had made a mistake, that’s no way to treat someone, and in this case it wasn’t our fault. The kitchen dance floor is annoying when you’re trying to cook dinner and living there for a while. There’s no freezer, just fridges that sometimes struggle in the heat. In the tents, the music made it hard to sleep before about 11 pm. Their website makes it sound like they help you find work, but they don’t. Some hostels in Australia do, though.

The service was impeccable from booking right through to getting dropped off in cairns. The team gave me heaps of support, and that’s why I felt five stars were deserved even though I saw room for plenty of improvements to the facilities. The place has a cool atmosphere, tucked among patches of tropical foliage, and in general I had a great stay. The location is okay, but getting into town takes some planning. You can rent scooters and bikes, though that may cost extra or take longer than staying in the centre. There are lots of temporary residents, all lovely, but short-term travellers hoping to meet adventurous fellow guests might find that less appealing. Thanks for having me :)

The manager handled all my travel and trip bookings and was quick to reply to emails before I arrived. That sort of concierge help is rare in a backpackers hostel, and the staff were kind throughout. The communal bathrooms and showers were in great shape, and the window air conditioner kept up with the summer heat. For the price, the environment and general vibe are hard to beat. I can’t recommend Dougies and its lovely staff enough for backpackers after a memorable stay.