Absolutely magnificent: Absolute Backpackers Mission Beach

By Bobbi Lee Hitchon // 22 May 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: Hostels, mission beach, rainforest

The most well known city in North Queensland, most travelers use Cairns as a central location to visit unique activities located in and around it. They stay at a hostel in the city, book their activities and sometimes travel hours to other towns to partake in those activities.

Two big sellers out of Cairns are skydiving in Mission Beach and white water rafting on the Tully and Barron Rivers. Since by bus these two activities are located about 90 minutes from Cairns, they require an early wake-up and long shuttle to and from the city. About an hour into those shuttles, travelers may pull into a a white-painted resort complex nestled in tropical greenery, and wonder why they didn't just stay here for a few days.

Absolute Backpackers Mission Beach offers resort-like accommodation at rates as low as $22 a night. Surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest and only a 45-minute boat ride from the Great Barrier Reef, it's a bit of a gem on the backpacker market. 

Location

A ten-minute walk to the beach and five-minute walk from a Woolworths shopping complex located across the street, everything a backpacker needs to get by is within reach of the hostel. Located in the Wongaling section of town, the hostel offers a shuttle to the town center along Port Promenade, which is home to various artisan shops, restaurants and cafes.

Major tour and activity operators offer pick-up and drop-off to guests staying at the hostel. It's only a ten-minute boat ride to Dunk Island, a small but luxurious island with various outdoor activities. 

Guests won't dread cooking at this hostel. Absolute Backpackers has a spacious and clean kitchen. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Staff

They don't just check backpackers in and send them on their way. They help weary travelers with their bags and even guide them to their room. The staff takes time to get to know people and ask about their adventures that day, especially when a guest's adventure includes jumping out of an airplane.

It's hard to believe they have that much time to focus on getting to know their guests and still keep the hostel as clean as it always is. The staff clean kitchen and bathroom facilities several times throughout the day. 

The lovely Peta, who owns Absolute with her husband Dez, displays a brochure for Jump the Beach skydiving from behind reception at the hostel. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon 

Vibe

It's private, yet sociable. Hidden by forest and fencing, people driving on Wongaling Beach Road may not realize the hostel is even there. Once inside they'll find guests hanging out at several lounge areas on the property. 

Guests work on their tan by the hostel's inground pool, lay around watching movies on a big brown couch in the TV room or even hang out cooking in the hostel's massive kitchen. Most people visit the hostel to go on day-long activities. It's nice that the owners provide a comfortable place for them to come home to. 

One of the things owners Dez and Peta mentioned about their goals when building the hostel was to provide excellent bathroom facilities. They believe the one place a backpacker has a bit of privacy is in the shower and on the toilet. 

Their shower and bathroom facilities are by far one of the best on the east coast, but this is just one example of what makes Absolute Backpackers special. It's not just a building where people rent rooms. The owners and management put a lot of thought into what they can do to make this hostel more comfortable for backpackers.

The hostel has a pool surrounded by lounge chairs. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Price

Dorm rates range from $A22 to $A26 per person, per night, making it a bit cheaper than average dorm prices in Australia. They also offer twin or double rooms at $A56 per night. Dorm rooms are average when it comes to decor and bedding.

Guests usually receive some kind of a deal from the hostel, whether it be some free internet time on hostel computers and wireless or a free night accommodation, when guests book activities through the hostel. Plus the hostel provides free tea, coffee and condiments daily and a free barbecue every Saturday.

Overall

Some activities are only offered in the Mission Beach area. A lot of these activities take up an entire day. Why not spend those nights in a hostel that is a shorter drive and often times less pricey than accommodation in Cairns? 

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Many special thanks to VIP Backpackers and All Seasons for being our gracious hosts throughout this trip!