The Monty in Anglesea proves a motel can still feel like a proper destination.
After a couple of days of cliffs, koalas and glass-walled pods deep in the Otways, rolling into Anglesea and checking into The Monty felt like a change of gear. This isn’t a motel in the beige-carpet, ice-machine-in-the-corridor sense of the word – it’s a full retro reinvention, and it was exactly the kind of stylish stay I needed.
Where is The Monty?
Check in to Anglesea’s coolest new motel.
The Monty sits right on the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, directly opposite the riverside boardwalk, with the Anglesea River on one side and an easy stroll to Main Beach, local shops and cafes on the other. The location does a lot of the work for you – you can walk to the water, wander into town for dinner, or just stay put by the pool, and you’re still perfectly placed to keep pushing on toward Torquay or back the other way toward the Otways.
What is the style and character of The Monty?
There’s a real warmth to the design at The Monty.
This is a Palm Springs-inspired boutique motel, and it commits to the bit completely. Think desert-toned palettes and playful, colourful artwork against a backdrop of vintage-meets-modern design – built for people who want their accommodation to have a bit of personality rather than just being a place to crash. It’s nostalgic without feeling over the top; there’s a real warmth to the design that makes you want to actually spend time there, not just sleep and go.
What facilities does The Monty have?
Enjoy the outdoor pool and short stroll to the beach.
The centrepiece is the outdoor pool, styled with breeze blocks and desert-inspired plants, which is exactly where you want to be on a warm Great Ocean Road afternoon. Beyond that, there’s an outdoor lounge area, EV chargers, onsite parking, and daily housekeeping. The rooms come with Smart TVs and Chromecast, complimentary wi-fi, and there’s breakfast available if you’d rather not head out first thing. It’s a compact property (16 rooms in total), so it never feels like you’re competing for space at the pool or anywhere else.
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AI Prompt
What are the rooms like at The Monty?
The skylight in the bathroom makes all the difference.
The vintage design makes you feel at home.
Rooms come in King or Twin configurations, all individually styled with that same vintage-meets-modern sensibility – think a copy of Australian Traveller magazine, curated artwork (commissioned locally from That Paper Joint in Brunswick), blackout drapes, minibars and espresso makers. Ours felt fresh and considered rather than cookie-cutter, with details that make you actually want to photograph your room instead of just dumping your bags and leaving.
What is the dining like at The Monty?
Nina is a coastal Californian-Mexican cantina.
Margaritas are served at Nina.
Nina is made for sharing.
The Monty’s onsite dining comes via Nina, a coastal Californian-Mexican cantina serving up an all-day menu of shareable dishes, seafood and house-made queso fresco (and it’s entirely gluten free, which is a nice touch if that’s a consideration for your group). We had dinner there, and it hit exactly the right note after a long day on the road – casual, flavourful and made better by the setting.
Does The Monty have access for guests with disabilities?
The Monty has accessible rooms.
The accessible bathroom.
Yes – accessibility has been a clear consideration in the renovation rather than a box-ticking exercise. The Monty offers dedicated DDA-compliant King rooms with adaptive features and roll-in showers, designed with the same care and style as the rest of the property. It’s worth reaching out directly if you have specific requirements, but the accessible rooms here are a proper, thoughtfully designed option rather than a single afterthought room tacked on the end of a corridor.
Is The Monty family-friendly?
Families are welcome at The Monty.
It can work well for families, particularly with the outdoor pool as an easy drawcard for kids, and the walkable location near the beach and boardwalk. That said, the overall feel leans slightly more toward couples and friends after a stylish, relaxed night away – it’s compact so it suits smaller groups best. Families are welcome, but if you’re after a big resort-style family setup, this one’s more boutique than that.
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The verdict
The Monty is proof that a motel stay doesn’t have to mean settling. It’s stylish without trying too hard, well positioned for exploring Anglesea and the surrounding coast, and the combination of that pool, the riverside cantina and considered rooms makes it a proper stop on the Great Ocean Road itinerary rather than just a place to sleep between destinations.
Details
The Monty is stylish without trying too hard.
Best for: Couples, friends or small groups after a stylish, laid-back stay right on the Great Ocean Road, with easy access to the beach and river.
Address: 109 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, Vic
Phone: (03) 5263 1472
Cost: From around $150 per night depending on room type and season.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.
Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo
Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.
From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer, translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.
Riverbank Moama, Murray River
Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)
If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.
Felix, Geelong
Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)
Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix. But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.
The Perch, Lavers Hill
Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.
A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.
The Shared Table, Ballarat
The Shared Table in Ballart.
If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery, you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.
Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula
Paddock-to-plate dining at its finest. (Image: Arianna Harry Photography)
This fine diner, which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.
Mount William Station, Grampians
Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)
Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.
Emerald City, Yarra Valley
Emerald City offers a curated dining experience that is wonderfully intimate.
You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City. Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.
du Fermier, Trentham
du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)
Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.
Messmates Dining, Gippsland
Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)
This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.
