I stayed at this hostel several months ago with my friends and it was eye-opening and shocking. This particular complaint has to do with the hostel's owners, Mitch McNamee and Andrea Rice. After speaking with current and former staff as well as witnessing the behavior of Mr. McNamee, it soon becomes apparent the toxic and abusive working conditions and treatment of staff that were, at least during the time of my visit, everyday occurrences. I saw him verbally abuse staff regularly in front of hostel guests and on more than one occasion I heard him yelling to the reception staff in the office. I spoke with former employees and they even recalled an incident that involved physical abuse. Speaking with staff, it becomes quite clear that this type of behavior has been an ongoing issue for some time. Even more worrying is the exploitation of backpackers on the working holiday visa scheme and the blatant workplace and employment violations which only makes one wonder how a business like the Dingo Moon continues to operate. Several staff members remarked on their "work-for-accommodation" employment and their subsequent lower wages because of such conditions, wages being consistently withheld for arbitrary reasons, weekly per hour wages decided on the whim of the owner, and unstable payment schedules with some employees having to wait more than a month to be paid. The owners have shown themselves to be vindictive and abusive, and their blatant disregard for the well-being of their staff and standard employment/workplace entitlements and rights should come under serious investigation. I know complaints have been made to Fair Work and emails have been sent to NT senators, and it is my hope that greater regulation surrounding the working holiday visa scheme will come to fruition and prevent the further and continued exploitation of those visa holders in destinations such as Darwin. DO NOT STAY HERE.

I'll begin by saying the backpackers employed to run the place are lovely and do the best job they can. However Dingo Moon Lodge was easily the worst hostel I have stayed in during my travels. I was awoken at 3am to find myself being urinated upon by a drunk girl passed out in the bunk above me. Next morning the owner, Jason Hanna, gave me a refund for the night (paid for by the girl) but offered no apology, only 'this happens all the time'. The girl at reception allowed me to wash my soaked clothes (washing is not allowed between 6am and 2pm) as I was checking out that morning anyway. However I went to my car and when I returned to retrieve my clothes the owner pushed the gate closed in my face and refused me entry! He said I couldn;t enter as I had checked out already and shouldn't be using the washing machine out of hours! I told him he was being unreasonable. He responded 'tough, you're not getting your clothes, go away and come back in an hour or two!' The owner was the most grotesquely rude, arrogant and vindictive man I've ever had the misfortune to deal with. He isn't fit to run a lemonade stall. He instructs his staff to refuse to extend the stays of those who have been there a while, as they don't book tours! The man is obviously concerned solely with money and not his guests. I had also pointed out many of the hostel's other failings to the owner, to no effect. He did not apologise for the fact that homeless people get over the fence on a night and sleep in the sunloungers by the pool, wandering around and using the facilites. This is especially concerning as there are NO lockers in which to store your valuables. In fact there aren't even any cupboards or hooks to hang your clothes, so the floor is strewn with your room-mates belongings. Non-residents also come and go as they please throughout the night. The kitchen is outdoors, and as food is stored exposed on open shelves the place is overrun with cats and possums at night. The showers are not the dirtiest I've seen but the sinks were blocked, one washing machine was filled with dirty water and the air-con in my 8-bed dorm was broken - the noise prevented adequate sleep on the nights I wasn't being micturated upon. Again, no hint of an apology from the owner. The WiFi is nonexistent and the free breakfast consists of tea, cereal and crumpets - no milk. Avoid this place like the plague and go over the road to Crocodilly or one of the other hostels on Mitchell Street.

This place is a bit of a shambles. The rooms are dirty and stuffy, not to mention very small so not much space for everyones bags, there is absolutely no form or security for any of your possessions, no safe and not allowed to leave anything behind reception, there's no soap in the toilets, the WiFi is so slow. For a hostel in a '1st world' country it is very poor.

Disgustingly dirty. Air conditioning was broken. “Pool” that’s advertised is just a small tub that’s empty. The manager knowingly put us in a room that was closed off because it had bed bugs. They didn’t apologize or offer any refund. Don’t stay here.

Very friendly staff and they do their best to help you with anything. The dorm rooms are okay. Might be difficult for some people to get on the upper bed. The lower bed is definetly not mean to sit on. The kitchen provides large fridges for everyone and you can use the kitchen whenever you want. The bathrooms get cleaned very well in my opinion. Supermarkets, Fast Food and bars are close by.

Best hostel I've stayed at in Australia. Great family vibe and very welcoming atmosphere from both staff and long termers. Everything is nice and clean, comfy beds and good sized kitchen relative to the hostel's.Only thing is there could be more showers but it's not that big of an issue, no place is perfect.

Wow what a great place to stay! It was my first time visiting to Darwin and I was travelling on my own, Dingo Moon Lodge was the perfect place to get acquainted with Darwin sites, sounds and souls. A lovely pool, great breakfast and comfy beds. I would highly recommend staying here if you want a chilled vibe with a party edge. Great staff as well, particularly the knowledgeable owner and the lovely Emma :)

Dowunder hostel on Mitchell street is like home for me! I have been here and away and then here again for almost a year! Whenever I come back to Darwin I know that I have a place to stay and to be! Is like a cozy family! The managers and the staff are always nice and available for whatever problems you can have, giving you best advices for places to see or how to get somewhere. The swimming pool is next to an amazing big tree, looks like a piece of paradise :) I love it! Free washing and dryer, free wi-fi, free laughing, you would never feel alone! I have met amazing people in this place, friends with who I still keep in touch! Plus every night there is something to do: let’s say.. free pizza and drink in monsoon one night, free beer and karaoke, free barbecue another night. I don’t know what else someone could ask for.. :D

We had a room for two which was good and meeting our expectations for the price paid. Location is good. The pool looked clean. Wifi was slow and coverage pretty bad. The kitchen was really way too dirty.

Staff were helpful, relaxed and friendly. Good little community feel in the common area (open kitchen, tables, pool with awesome frangipani tree above). Enjoyed the free breakfast and laundry. Dont expect it to be super clean and wifi issuss seemed common but can figure out alternatives. Had everything I needed, respectful quiet after 11ish. I would definittely stay again.