Retro motels are making a comeback in 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 disappear, making way for beachside high-rise developments. Fast forward a few decades, and retro motels are enjoying a resurgence, with a growing collection reviving the quintessential Aussie beach holiday.
It’s a trend we don’t see waning, with Australian travellers looking to support local businesses with a focus on sustainable travel, upcycling and vintage. From the modest to the ultra-glamorous, these reimagined motels offer nostalgia, style and charm in spades.
1. The Monty, Anglesea, Vic
The Monty's breeze-block pool area channels serious Palm Springs energy.
The Monty’s bathrooms are bright and playful.
Nina is in the main reception building.
The Great Ocean Road’s motel scene has had its own glow-up with The Monty, a Palm Springs-inspired reinvention right on the Anglesea River. Vintage meets modern throughout the property’s 16 rooms, with playful, locally commissioned artwork, blackout drapes and minibars giving each space its own personality, while dedicated DDA-compliant rooms ensure the retro glow-up hasn’t left accessibility behind.
Outside, a breeze-block pool area surrounded by desert-inspired plants is the obvious drawcard on a warm Surf Coast afternoon, while onsite cantina Nina serves up coastal Californian-Mexican dishes and margaritas overlooking the river. It’s an easy walk to Anglesea’s Main Beach and boardwalk from the front door, making it one of the better-positioned retro stays for anyone road-tripping the Great Ocean Road.
2. Dolphins Motel, Mollymook, NSW
Step into the Retro King room.
Just moments from Mollymook Beach, Dolphins Hotel reopened in June. Previously a regular roadside stay, it’s been transformed into a retro-inspired coastal retreat with 10 boutique rooms, a three-bedroom apartment for larger groups, a pool, native gardens and on-site Dolly’s Cafe. Think mid-century-inspired design, paired with a tasty menu championing regional South Coast producers. All wrapped up with that surf-town flair.
3. Kyneton Springs Motel, Vic
The neon sign is hard to miss.
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.
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.
4. Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff, NSW
Blue Water Motel sports fresh peach and lemon tones of the 60’s to complete the coastal vibe. (Credit: Blue Water Motel)
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.
5. Mysa Motel, Palm Beach, Qld
The kidney-shaped swimming pool and retro sun loungers are the stars of the show. (Image: Soda Shades)
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.
6. The Beach Rooms, Nambucca Heads, NSW
The Beach Rooms overlook the Nambucca River and the ocean beyond.
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 the Nambucca River and ocean beyond, the intrepid couple have transformed the dilapidated digs into a welcoming oasis with a 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.
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7. The Sunseeker, Byron Bay, NSW
Sunseeker offers family-friendly facilities with all the adult trimmings.
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’.
8. Loea Boutique Hotel, Maroochydore, Qld
The Loea is a revitalised 1980’s brick motel turned into a modern marvel.
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 cafe, magnesium swimming pool, communal garden and classic cruiser bikes for hire.
9. The Bower, Byron Bay, NSW
Step into the quaint white-washed cottage.
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 1970s-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.
10. The Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW
The Brunswick is all about calming natural tones and textures with a laid-back style.
The sign as you enter Brunswick Heads 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.
11. The Chalet Motel, Brunswick Heads, NSW
The Chalet is surrounded by some of Bruns’ best eateries for the perfect endless summer holiday.
The Chalet Motel is a boutique 60s-style motel revived by the owners, Louisa Bligh and Ryan Bowman, who were inspired by their travels in LA.
They wanted to recreate that simple, cool motel style in Australia. They achieved this with 12 comfortably stylish rooms, a saltwater swimming pool and a cabana. A bonus? The Chalet is surrounded by some of Bruns’ best eateries for the perfect endless summer holiday.
12. The Sails Motel & Pool Club, Brunswick Heads, NSW
Stocking a curated selection of local signature sips, the pool club is the place to be.
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. Also enjoy relaxed nights at the onsite restaurant, Saint Maries Pizzeria and Wine Bar.
13. The Isla, Batemans Bay, NSW
Find 1970s coastal chic with tech-forward modern touches. (Credit: Destination NSW)
The Isla sits in the heart of Batemans Bay. This chic, 18-room boutique motel merges a 1970s coastal motor lodge with modern (if somewhat nostalgic) style and tech-forward amenities. Besides the restored outdoor pool, The Cantina is a fun standout. This reimagined minibar/vending machine room features sparkling water on tap, a selection of artisan snacks, local craft beer and pre-mixed cocktails
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14. The Hillcrest Merimbula, NSW
The vibe in the rooms is coastal elegance with design flourishes that wink back to the 60s and 70s. (Credit: David Rogers)
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.
15. Berry View Hotel, NSW
The hotel captures the essence of Mid-Century design.
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 screams of Palm Springs. 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.
16. Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath, NSW
Step into the charm of the original 1970s-era motel, with an updated Palm Springs-esque design. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)
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.
The final result is a 46-room mountain retreat with Art 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 – all connecting to the central lobby and Blaq restaurant and bar. Other hotel facilities include a pool, tennis court and vegetable garden to explore.
There are four types of guest rooms on offer, starting with the king suite that sleeps two, twin queen rooms that sleep up to four guests, two-bedroom suites sleeping up to five guests, and the family rooms sleeping up to six people. Each room features a luscious colour palette of blush and blue hues or more earthy tones of olive and rust.
17. Surfside 22, Wollongong, NSW
Step into the perfect amount of nostalgia.
Surfside 22 presents a strong case for the comeback of Australia’s roadside motels. This coastal-chic stay embraces its retro bones – think white breezeblock walls, pastel hues and a palm-fringed garden. But the Wollongong motel also repackages the original formula with the sort of comforts modern road-trippers actually want.
There’s a plunge pool and sauna for post-surf recovery, North Beach and City Beach are both an easy stroll away, and rooms range from king studios with kitchenettes to interconnecting options for families. It’s nostalgic without being naff.
18. The Whale, Narooma, NSW
Mix retro-chic with incredible views.
Having just opened in June, Merivale’s The Whale offers a boutique hotel overlooking Wagonga Inlet in NSW’s Narooma. Walk into decor drawing inspiration from the spirit of 1970s Ibiza. Here, natural and earthy decor nod to the building’s motel origins and supply a gentle retro twist.
With 18 rooms total, find a two-bedroom Oceanview Penthouse and nine Premium Suites. Elsewhere, dive into a heated magnesium pool, have a hit on the pickleball court, warm up in the traditional sauna, brave the ice bath and relax by the sunset-facing firepit.
Dining is covered with breakfast and all-day dining menus served poolside, in the extensive gardens, or by the sunset-facing firepit, with in-room dining also available. Think fried prawn sandwich and a katsu chicken burger, using local suppliers like Narooma bakery Honorbread.
Restaurant Queen Chow has also reopened inside The Whale, with refreshed interiors and a menu of fresh seafood, dumplings and signature dishes – like its iconic barbecued duck.
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Sally Scott is a seasoned travel writer based on Bundjalung County (Northern Rivers) who knows a thing or two about luxe holidays. Whether it's road tripping regional Australia or jetting off on an overseas sojourn, Sally seeks out unique...
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology...
There’s no better place to unwind than the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – a leafy and idyllic region shrouded in mist, fern-filled gullies and a peaceful atmosphere.
Wrapped in the crisp mountain air, ancient ferns and ethereally verdant landscapes of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in another world (or at least another part of the planet).
But this gorgeous pocket is under an hour from Melbourne, a mix of top-notch food and wine, boutique stays and forested scenery that make for an easy weekend away or even a midweek escape. In fact, visiting during the week can offer a deeply relaxing experience, with fewer crowds and more space to linger.
If you’re keen to unwind, here’s how to spend your time in this idyllic neck of the woods.
Where to eat
Treat your taste buds to Yarra Valley Dairy. (Image: Visit Victoria)
From farm gates to cosy eateries, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges house a plethora of places to feast. Start your day with a leisurely brunch and coffee at Ripe. This local hangout combines warm hospitality and hearty cafe fare against a backdrop of the hills’ iconic tree-fern canopies. It’s also nestled in the heart of Sassafras, the quaint village that best captures the Dandenong Ranges’ old-world charm.
Next, take yourself on a gastronomic adventure. Visit Yarra Valley Dairy, a regional favourite doing handmade cheeses, or Cherry Hill Orchards, where in summer you can pick your own cherries and enjoy them in the farm’s picturesque grounds. Treat yourself to a tasting at one of the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries to finish – Rochford, Re’em and De Bortoli are standout picks for a sample of the region’s signature drops.
By night, book a table at either Citrine in the mountain town of Olinda or restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley. Both do elevated seasonal fare paired with excellent drinks.
And if you’re simply in the mood for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Alpine Hotel in riverside Warburton is a historic and character-filled spot pouring pints and locally made drinks, while Four Pillars is a must for gin lovers. The distillery’s award-winning spirits are famed nationwide, but here you can try them right from the source.
Things to do outdoors
Wander the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
A motley patchwork of misty rainforest, rugged bushscapes and beautifully tended gardens, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are some of Melbourne’s most scenic pockets. No visit to the region would be complete without a wander through its lush surrounds, either by bike or on foot.
The Ngurrak Barring trail stretches 39 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges, connecting the towns and fern-filled forests that make the hills so unique. Along the way, be immersed in thought-provoking art installations and cultural stories, sharing a different perspective of this ancient landscape.
While in the area, wander through Cloudehill Garden & Nursery and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, situated in Olinda. The cooler climate, rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall offer both gardens ideal conditions for vivid and vibrant flora.
Over in the Yarra Valley, the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a flat and family-friendly path perfect for leisurely bike rides and longer walks. It takes you through vine-lined scenery and towns like Seville and Wandin. Biking enthusiasts should head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, a network of 160 kilometres of trails that traverse through untamed terrain.
For a more laidback outing, Alowyn Gardens encompasses seven acres of themed gardens perfect for a meandering stroll. The nearly 100-metre-long wisteria archway that connects different garden zones is a highlight – especially in October, when the lilac blossoms are in spectacular bloom.
The arts and culture scene
Take in the displays at TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges are havens for arts and culture thanks to their inspiring landscapes and thriving creative community. Naturally, a slower escape should include a visit to some of the region’s best studios and galleries.
The TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville showcases modern and contemporary Australian art, with both a permanent collection and a rotating display of thoughtful exhibitions. The building and grounds are well worth exploring: a striking architectural landmark amid landscaped lawns and open-air sculptures overlooking the Yarra Valley.
Delve into the area’s rich history at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, a treasure trove of more than 13,000 unique pieces. See everything from Indigenous artefacts to archival photographs and historical objects that tell the region’s story.
On your way back to the city, stop by the leafy enclave of Eltham to discover Montsalvat. This five-acre artistic playground is Australia’s oldest continuous art community, combining galleries, Gothic-style buildings and expansive heritage gardens.
Stay at a local retreat
Re’em is an ideal pick for an indulgent stay.
No matter your style, and no matter your budget, you’ll find a suitable spot in the region to rest your head. If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, set up a tent at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park or Pine Hill Cabin & Caravan Park. The former has secluded camping spots surrounded by tranquil bushland and local wildlife, along with glamping pods and cabins. The latter has powered and unpowered sites suitable for all kinds of campers, and is pet-friendly if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend.
Or, book yourself into the RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort – a sprawling retreat complete with stylish rooms and luxe amenities that invite you to unwind. Relax at the day spa, tee off at the 18-hole golf course, or recharge with a round of tennis or a few laps in the pool.
And if you’re after something truly indulgent, Re’em is an ideal pick. A boutique collection of just 16, the luxuriously appointed rooms feature plush linens, high-end amenities and oversized baths with panoramic views across the estate. A gourmet breakfast showcasing gorgeous local produce is also included.
