Cooinda, off Kakadu Highway, Kakadu National Park Tel (08) 8979 0145 or 1800 500 401 Websitewww.gagudjulodgecooinda.com.au
BUG Review
Gagudju is a large accommodation complex that attracts lots of cash carrying tourists but the backpackers' accommodation here isn't as well maintained as the rest of the resort. The clean air-conditioned dorms are located in a set of prefabricated units that feel a bit barren and there is a small, shabby camp-kitchen with a barbecue but few other facilities. However there are many other amenities throughout the resort that include an ATM, internet access, a nice swimming pool and a good bar/restaurant (but with prices unsuitable for budget travellers).
Price Dorm bed $35 ($31.50 HI/YHA) Double room $80 ($70 HI/YHA) Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards American Express,Diners Club,JCB,MasterCard,Visa
Reception Open 6.30am-7pm (wet season); 6am-10pm (dry season)
Pros:
Next to the great Yellow river cruises
Cons:
Expensive fuel and meals at the resort
Regent Honeyeater
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The wonderful wild life cruises at dawn & dusk on Yellow Water are the reason to stay here, but with newer hostels now open up the road this will open up some choice for those without camping gear. The "hostel" rooms were Atco prefabricated huts but all close together & you trudge across the red dust to the share bathrooms & WC's about 200 m away. The camping ground & the "hostel" get packed out in the winter Dry season as NSW & Vic families escape the cold in their July holidays: avoid these dates if you can. There was one open air bbq plate & one very old fridge for dozens of people with no freezer: pretty awful facilities for people unable to afford the hotel meal in the dining room which is expensive & a captive market. Fuel is cheaper in the town 50 km east & there is a supermarket where you can get supplies & fresh bread etc. If you decide to stay up the road & travel for the cruises watch out for fauna on the road after dark: they can make big dents in your car insurance excess...but the cruises are best at dawn or dusk. Also check out the boardwalks: it's worth a few minutes of quiet time to see Eagle nests up the gum trees. Take heed of crocodile advice: only go where the guides say you can and swim only in the swimming pools: crocs run fast & are bigger than you.
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(Review ID: 8839)
We felt cramped and neglected, July 14, 2004
Reviewer:
Shaalwyd
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n/a
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We had booked ahead, and even phoned to say that we were running late, but they left no provision for us to get into a room. We had to call the rangers and wait nearly an hour to get settled down for the night. The beds were very narrow, with lumpy mattresses and sub-standard airconditioning. The toilet block was separate, with dozens of dead frogs in the shower stalls. We asked what time the Yellow River Cruises ran in the morning, rushed to get ready in time and then were told that the times they gave us were for the peak season, not the off season, and perhaps we would like to spend the intervening time in the gift shop? The whole place felt cold and impersonal.
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(Review ID: 8840)
NOT BAD CLEAN!!!!!, July 4, 2004
Reviewer:
Sarahk
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n/a
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Very basic small rooms with 2 bunkbeds but clean!Agree with the above review on the kitchen being basic.But there's a bistro where u can get a meal for about $8.At the end of the day u only sleep in the room so i wouldnt go as far and say it "ruined" the experince!!!
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(Review ID: 8841)
this hostel lets down the whole kakadu experience, August 8, 2003
Reviewer:
Louise
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The pre-fab units need a good clean, if not a lick of paint, theres very limited faciliites for cooking - only two bbqs which cost a dollar for 30 mins, between everyone, so you will probably have to wait your turn for a while. There is no running water by the 'kitchen' so you need to take your stuff over to the communal sinks to wash, or to fill up the kettle. The reception wasn't able to give us any mugs, and there were only two saucepans for the whole place. The doubles cost 70 dollars - the only good thing was the air conditioning. After staying in YHA's travelling up the west coast and into NT, this is a total letdown.
