The Outback Hotel

The location is good, and we had a good stay in general. Still, we were disappointed when our makeup bag and cigarettes were missing from the room after housekeeping had cleaned it. It left us concerned about staff management.

We felt very safe, and the service was wonderful. There are lovely sunrise and sunset spots you can reach without driving into the park. The bar has a great vibe; grab takeaway drinks and head up a sand dune to watch the sunset. By car, the shops and cafes look like a trek, but a cut-through path makes it about a 10-minute walk. I’d absolutely stay again.

The self-cook BBQ was my favorite part. There was a good range of meats to choose from, clean BBQs, and a buffet salad bar included. We ate while listening to music on stage, and I got to try camel and emu sausage for the first time. The pool was great too. Our standard room with two Queen beds was clean and nice, and the bathroom looks renovated. Check-in was friendly, professional, and easy. Outback Hotel exceeded my expectations, and it’s about a 12-minute walk into town, or you can take the free bus.

The prices for food and drinks are a joke. There’s no table service, but looking at what they charge, you’d think it was included. A beer was $16. I stayed one night each time, once on the way into NT and again on the way out, and the airport shuttle running all around made it very convenient. The first time I was in the big dorm, and the noise everyone made made it awful. The second time I booked a four-bed dorm, which was much quieter and I actually got some proper sleep. The rooms and amenities were good and clean, and the beds comfortable enough for a night or two.