Outback Pioneer Lodge

Good sized room. Aircon & tv worked well. Bedding & bathroom was clean. Everything we needed for a basic two night stay. Out of all the hotels in Yulara, this one is the furthest out from town square, so bare in mind if consider in booking. It’s a 15min walk, or use shuttle bus/own transport.

Outback Hotel and Outback Lodge are on the same campus but are different levels of accommodation, and I had some misgivings before our trip because of some of the reviews I've read here. I'm now convinced that the reviews that speak of old, dirty, buggy accommodation most likely refer to Outback Lodge, which mainly consists of dorm-style basic accommodation. Outback Hotel, where we stayed, was clean and modern, quiet, serviced daily and had good quality toiletries. Only thing is that there were days when they missed servicing our room, but this was always quickly remedied when I rang up Reception. Our room had a fridge which didn't work and it was promptly replaced when I rang up. The service at Reception was always friendly and helpful. Surprising bonus is that there are LOTS of power points in the room. Buffet breakfast is available in the restaurant and is cheaper if you prepay at Reception at least the night before; the selection was excellent though the food quality was not as good as city hotels. The kiosk is open for a good part of the day, and we were pleasantly surprised by the tempura fish and chips. In addition to food bought from the kiosk, we also brought along some salad and drinks that we bought from the IGA to save money and give us more choices beyond the kiosk. We also visited the lobbies or restaurants of a couple of the other hotels, and overall, felt happy with the value-for-money of Outback Hotel - it's about the middle of the pack and good enough for us.

from a logistical point of view it resembles a Motel more, with rooms on the ground floor and parking nearby. It also has a pool, but the water is not heated and therefore, given the temperature range, it is cold. The location is convenient for excursions and it has a good dining spot