Walkabout Lodge

A staff member in the lodge mislead us over the phone with our booking which cost us a lot of money. They have not taken any responsibility for their actions and are simply putting the blame on us. Ensure that any agreement made with them is in writing. Do not attempt a verbal resolution. Do not trust the staff as they are obviously try to take advantage of transient tourists that pay their wage.

If you like a level of accommodation of another era, this is the place to be. But first we must acknowledge Nhulunbuy is extremely remote, one of the remotest towns in Australia and it’s smack bang in the tropics, so things operate at a different level and pace. Don’t go in expecting a world class product. Most of the staff were very warm and welcoming, the house staff gentle and lovely. We stayed in room 112, so please avoid this at all cost. Supposedly the suite, it’s also bang against the bathroom and laundry for campers on the property. We had campers gathering around late at night and early morning chatting outside our bathroom window. There is also a repetitive pump, sewage treatment or compressor operating all night long, intermittently, every minute or so, winding up to somewhat of a roar then switching off again. The suite, at nearly $400 a night can’t be considered value for money and the kitchenette lacking in basics, such as a dish cloth or tea towel. A request to change rooms was met with “we’re full” and “we’ll check out the noise”, with no further words provided, other than “we require 48 hours notice to vacate”. It was later acknowledged that the pump has been rectified however the noise didn’t abate. Nhulunbuy is not truly on the tourist route yet, but it will be and they’re not ready for it. With the mine closing in 5 years this place will struggle if it can’t meet basic tourism requirements. The inclusive continental breakfast at Walkabout Lodge is seriously lacking - hardly any fresh fruit, no whole meal or grain bread, stale muesli, but in fairness probably reflecting supply limitations. The full chargeable breakfasts looked better if you want to spend more.

The Lodge provides basic but clean, comfortable and well maintained accommodation with a pleasant restaurant, outdoor area and pool. Over two nights, the meals in the restaurant were fair average quality, although a minute and very dry serve of Tasmanian salmon was regrettably misrepresented as “fresh caught reef fish” and was served on a bed of overcooked rice with a few wilted lettuce leaves. Breakfast was very sparse. Staff were friendly and prices were surprisingly reasonable for such a remote location.