14 Road Trip Worthy Retro Motels

Retro motels are making a comeback into road trip itineraries – and these charming motel stays are far from old-fashioned.

Motels were once a popular choice in Australia for road trip stopovers with their neon signs, bold colours and budget prices, but a shift in tastes saw these icons disappearing, making way for beachside high-rise developments. Fast forward a few decades and motels are enjoying a resurgence, with a collection of classic motels reviving the quintessential Aussie beach holiday.

From the modest to the ultra-glamorous, these reimagined motels offer nostalgia, style and charm in spades.

It’s a trend we don’t see waning, with Australian travellers looking to holiday here this year and support local businesses with a focus on sustainable travel, up-cycling and vintage, a retro motel stay makes the perfect vacay.

With that in mind, here are 14 retro motel stays to check out for your next coastal road trip.

1. Kyneton Springs Motel, Vic

The Kyneton Springs Motel has debuted a new eye-catching retro aesthetic following a refurbishment. The motel is bold and adventurous, with its fizzy neon sign and individually curated kitschy-cool rooms. While its design leans towards Palm Springs’s classic design, the experience is a nod to the great Australian road trip.

Interior of the Kyneton Springs Motel — The motel is filled with nostalgic vibes.

Filled with nostalgic vibes, the motor inn offers 20 curated suites, each boasting luxurious comforts and an Insta-worthy décor. Outside their rooms, guests can enjoy a cocktail in the pastel-hued shade of The Patio, grab a bite from the diner-inspired menu at Cathie’s Kiosk or browse the gift shop.

The Kyneton Springs Motel neon sign — The neon sign is hard to miss.

2. Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff, NSW

Just down the road from the iconic Halcyon House, you’ll find Blue Water Motel in Kingscliff. This modest motel has had a modern makeover by renowned designer Jason Grant, sporting fresh peach/lemon tones of the 60’s that will have you craving gelato to complete the coastal vibe.

“From the very start it was clear what the Blue Water Motel should be, relaxed and a bit retro, we didn’t want to lose any of the original charm or nostalgia to the Aussie surf coast motel" Grant said.

“Painting the exterior soft pale blue was a given. We kept the best elements and added details that felt like they belonged and also improved and streamlined the spaces. We stripped it back and opened it up, injecting colours and materials that made it feel relaxed but elevated, coastal but not too beachy and in the process created a little bit of modern retro coastal cool in Kingscliff."

The result is luxe for less, an indulgent stay without the premium price tag.

Bright room interiors of Bluewater Motel — Blue Water Motel sports fresh peach and lemon tones of the 60’s to complete the coastal vibe.

3. Mysa Motel, Palm Beach, Qld

The Mysa Motel (pronounced mee-sa) ethos is a modern twist on retro Gold Coast. Husband and wife team Eliza and Jason Raine rescued the Palm Trees Motel from demolition and lovingly transformed the motel with great consideration and sustainability in mind. Many design elements have been upcycled to reduce the environmental impact including the original hardwood ceiling trusses repurposed for the carport.

Dusty pink hues and dreamy tiles feature throughout, but the star of the show has to be the kidney-shaped magnesium swimming pool and retro sun loungers for a truly relaxing GC vacay.

The Splash Club at Mysa Motel — The kidney-shaped swimming pool and retro sun loungers are the star of the show. (Image: Soda Shades)

4. The Beach Rooms, Nambucca Heads, NSW

Formerly The Blue Dolphin, locals Paul & Shannon Scott spotted potential in the old motel that had been lying dormant for years.

Perched on prime land overlooking Nambucca River and the ocean beyond, the intrepid couple have transformed the dilapidated digs into a welcoming oasis with central pool, communal spaces and a choice of rooms to accommodate couples and families.

Shannon is a friendly host, escorting guests to their room and sharing local tips and recommendations making The Beach Rooms the perfect stop on a North Coast road trip.

Deluxe Queen room at Beach Rooms Nambucca — The Beach Rooms is overlooking the Nambucca River and the ocean beyond.

5. The Sunseeker, Byron Bay, NSW

The Sunseeker reimagines ‘80s brick motel nostalgia with breezy coastal vibes for slow holidays in Byron Bay.

Not just a hipster haven, Sunseeker offers family-friendly facilities with all the adult trimmings. Kids will love the nature inspired playground and scoot around the complex on complimentary skateboards.

Adults may sip cocktails by the mineral pool (heated in winter), browse the library featuring a carefully curated collection of books on art, culture and architecture and snack from locally sourced minibar items.

Don’t leave without some Sunseeker merch, from mugs to totes and classic t-shirts emblazoned with Sunseeker’s mantra ‘Holiday Often’.

Cozy space at the Sunseeker Library — Sunseeker offers family-friendly facilities with all the adult trimmings.

6. Loea, Maroochydore, Qld

The brainchild of Andrew and Lucy Pink, the couple revitalised a 1980’s brick motel into a modern marvel and while ownership may have changed, the legacy of the Florida-inspired beach motel continues, complete with vintage food truck café, magnesium swimming pool, communal garden and classic cruiser bikes for hire.

Exteriors of Loea — The Loea is a revitalised 1980’s brick motel turned into a modern marvel.

7. The Bower, Byron Bay, NSW

With an unassuming façade, the true beauty of The Bower lies behind the palm tree fringed fence, where you’ll find an oasis of cool with a stunning circular pool at its heart.

Presented with a tired, old 1970’s style motel as their canvas, the Bower design team retained the original shell while repurposing and re-imagining it into a contemporary and sophisticated Australian beach motel. The result is a collection of luxe rooms and suites, thoughtfully provisioned with the latest must-haves, a moody cool-colour palette and signature freestanding bathtubs.

The ethos of The Bower is to seek out places with character and history that have a story to tell that can be acknowledged, honoured and enhanced. Escape to paradise and create your own story at The Bower.

The Bower Cottage Interiors — The Bower’s luxe rooms are thoughtfully provisioned with a moody cool-colour palette.

8. The Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW

The sign as you enter Brunswick Heads, or “Bruns" as it’s known locally, says “Simple Pleasures" and what could be more pleasurable than a simple, classic retro motel vacay? Brunswick is the epicentre of retro cool motels, with your choice of The Brunswick, The Chalet Motel and The Sails Motel all located on the Old Pacific Hwy.

The Brunswick is all about pared back simplicity of calming natural tones and textures with laid-back style. Retaining the standard motel layout and convenience of being able to park directly outside your room, rooms also overlook the lagoon pool for resort style vibes. This laid-back haven for adults also offers weekend food truck and pop up events under the paperbark trees.

Brunswick exteriors showing the pool side in front — The Brunswick is all about calming natural tones and textures with laid-back style.

9. The Chalet Motel, Brunswick Heads, NSW

The Chalet Motel is a boutique 60’s style motel revived by the owners Louisa Bligh and Ryan Bowman who were inspired by their travels in LA and wanted to recreate that simple cool motel style in Australia. With 12 comfortably stylish rooms, saltwater swimming pool and cabana The Chalet is surrounded by some of Bruns’ best eateries for the perfect endless summer holiday.

Exteriors of Chalet Motel — The Chalet is surrounded by some of Bruns’ best eateries for the perfect endless summer holiday.

10. The Sails Motel & Pool Club, Brunswick Heads, NSW

The Sails Motel & Pool Club features 22 classic style motel rooms plus a Palm Springs style pool and bar. Stocking a curated selection of local signature sips the pool club is the place to be as well relaxed nights at onsite restaurant Saint Maries pizzeria and wine bar.

Pool area at Sails — Stocking a curated selection of local signature sips, the pool club is the place to be.

11. The Isla, Batemans Bay, NSW

The trend toward motel makeovers (thanks to the Netflix series of the same name) shows no sign of slowing down. All eyes will be on the NSW South Coast with new arrival The Isla in the heart of Batemans Bay and, in nearby Narooma, Justin Hemmes has recently added the much-loved Whale Inn and Restaurant to his expanding property portfolio. A swathe of new openings ensures Australia’s love affair with Australian road trip worthy retro motels is here to stay.

Exterior of Isla Motel — All eyes will be on the NSW South Coast with new arrival The Isla in Batemans Bay.

12. The Hillcrest Merimbula, NSW

The modern two-storey Hillcrest Merimbula motel faces seaward and is everything you’d expect from a quintessential mid-century motel. Dating back to the late 1960s, the vibe in the rooms is coastal elegant with design flourishes that wink back to the sixties and seventies.

Stay for a long weekend and you’ll meet a cast of characters: hipsters from Sydney, architecture enthusiasts and high-end holidaymakers who simply want to soak up the sun poolside for the duration of their stay. Inside, the rooms are like shrines to the 70s with contemporary touches such as concrete tables, delicate linens, and funky feature mirrors.

Inside the room at Hillcrest Merimbula — The vibe in the rooms is coastal elegant with design flourishes that wink back to the 60s and 70s.

13. Berry View Hotel, NSW

The lightness and brightness of the Berry View Hotel is one of the key elements that will make you feel contained and comfortable during your escape to the Shoalhaven. While white sets the tone at the refurbished motel, there are also pops of colour from the burnt orange doors that will brighten your day.

Enjoy the nostalgic experience of driving right up to that signature door, which pops of Palm Springs, and once inside, find flashes of charcoal and ochre that bring on more of the breezy vibes.

The boutique hotel has paid homage to the bones of the original 1950s’ motel with 13 individually styled rooms and a new pool, all of which have been given a vintage-style glow-up. The property is full of colourful and original décor and captures the essence of Mid-Century design. It’s a masterpiece.

Inside the room in Berry View Hotel — The room is full of colourful and original décor and captures the essence of Mid-Century design.

14. Kyah Boutique Hotel, NSW

Hidden away in the Blue Mountains village of Blackheath less than two hours from Sydney you’ll find the luxe Kyah Boutique Hotel. The 1970s era motel has been reimagined with a Palm Springs-inspired design by Sydney-based design firm, MKD Architects.

Hallways inside Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath — The reimagined Kyah Boutique Hotel has maintained all the charm of the original 1970s era motel with an updated Pal Springs-inspired design. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The final result is a 46-room mountain retreat with art0 deco-inspired furnishings, on-trend archways, curves and cosy nooks tucked away throughout the communal areas of the hotel. There are three separate buildings, each named after one of Katoomba’s famed Three Sisters, that connect to the central lobby and Blaq restaurant and bar. Other hotel facilities include a pool, tennis court and vegetable garden to explore.

The brand-new Blaq, overseen by Executive Chef Mate Herceg, brings an elegant touch to the Blue Mountain’s culinary scene. Perch on the bar to enjoy one of the signature cocktails, retreat to the outdoor deck when the weather is warm, or cosy up beside the multiple fireplaces during winter.

Blaq restaurant Kyah Boutique Hotel Blue Mountains — Blaq restaurant and bar feature several dining spaces to enjoy. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

There are also stylish booths and more private dining spaces tucked away along the back of the restaurant wall. As for the food, Herceg prioritises hyper-local, seasonal and sustainable produce and producers over the cuisine and as a result, you’ll find a constantly evolving menu.

There are four types of guest rooms on offer starting with the king suite that sleeps two, twin queen rooms sleep up to four guests, two-bedroom suites sleep up to five guests, and the family rooms sleep up to six people. Each room features a luscious colour palette of blush and blue hues or more earthy tones of olive and rust.

This Blackheath beauty is bound to be a go-to accommodation option in the Blue Mountains for years to come.

Blaq restaurant features multiple fireplaces — Cosy up beside one of the multiple fireplaces in Blaq during the cooler months. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.