This seaside motel’s retro makeover is making waves

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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Vintage frills meet modern thrills on the Mornington Peninsula.

With the retro aesthetic enjoying a renaissance across Australia, holidaymakers are booking accommodation that evokes a sense of nostalgia, with all the mod-cons to match. The latest arrival in a wave of reimagined stays is Motel Flinders, which is bringing its own vintage charm to coastal Victoria.

Where is Motel Flinders?

Situated on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula, Motel Flinders is the namesake of the small village it calls home. Just under a 90-minute drive from the state’s capital, the town of Flinders is the perfect place for a city escape.

Motel Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Interior design firm Studio Tate is behind the recent revitalisation.

The 26-room boutique motel reopened its doors in January after renovations by Melbourne-based interior design firm Studio Tate . Guests can choose from four suite types: the King Room, Family Room, Premier Family Room and Loft Room.

While each space has been reimagined to meet contemporary comforts, the motel still retains its heritage charm. Exposed brick walls and rounded retro furnishings remind guests of a bygone era, accentuated by vibrant colours, wooden textures and bold patterns.

Motel Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Exposed brick walls heighten the motel’s retro feel.

It’s not just motels receiving million-dollar makeovers either. A broader trend has recently seen retro revivals across the country – outdated pubs are being revamped, vintage styling is making a comeback and even retro cinemas are on the rise. It’s official: old-school cool is in.

Why stay at Motel Flinders?

Apart from its obvious visual appeal and timeless character, Motel Flinders has plenty to offer the modern traveller. Relax in your room and take full advantage of the wi-fi, smart TV, coffee machine and air-conditioning. Or grab a local brew from the in-room minibar and catch some sun on your private balcony or courtyard.

Motel Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Motel Flinders is perfectly positioned in the heart of town.

While there are fully-equipped kitchenettes in each room and barbecue facilities onsite, those keen to get out and about won’t have to go far. The equally charming Flinders Hotel , which dates back to the late 1800s, is on the same street. Like its neighbour across the road, this iconic pub may be old, but it’s anything but tired. Local produce is the star of its curated seasonal menu, while an impressive wine list champions the Mornington Peninsula’s top vineyards.

Motel Flinders is the perfect base to explore further, too – whether you’re hitting up the region’s best hot springs or simply popping down to Flinders Pier with fish and chips. The historic town also boasts everything from antique outlets and art galleries to boutique shops and cosy cafes.

Motel Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Return to your cosy digs after a day of exploring.

Its coastal position, which borders Mornington Peninsula National Park, makes it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts as well. Think bushwalks, beaches and even subtidal rock platform reefs, perfect for snorkelling come summer.

How to book

Keen to check in? Motel Flinders is now open to guests, with bookings easily made via its website. Rooms can sleep between three and six guests and range in price depending on suite type and selected dates. There is also free onsite parking available, and the reception is fully staffed between 7am–7pm.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Mornington Peninsula’s storied past: war, shipwrecks and a runaway convict 

    Kellie FloydBy Kellie Floyd
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    The Mornington Peninsula is a coastline of contrasts, where convict and military history meets shipwrecks, wild seas and adventures above and below the surface.

    The Mornington Peninsula can be the kind of place where salt-tangled hair feels like a badge of honour – proof you’ve been somewhere wild, raw and real. Peel back the layers and you’ll discover stories that anchor this region to something other than its famed food and wine.

    This land is the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Long before grapevines were planted and artisanal goods were crafted, the Bunurong Traditional Owners lived in deep connection with the land and sea. Today, places such as Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary echo that tradition, with families exploring its rockpools in search of colourful sea stars and crabs at low tide and learning how these fragile ecosystems have been cared for across countless generations.

    a group of people visiting the Port Nepean National Park
    Take in the rugged coastal landscape at Port Nepean National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    A visit to Point Nepean National Park feels like stepping back through time. The fort, built in 1882, protected the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay until the end of the Second World War. It was here that the first Allied shot of the First World War was fired – at a German cargo ship trying to escape just hours after war was declared. Nearby, the old Quarantine Station, one of Australia’s first permanent quarantine facilities, established in 1852, still stands. Walking through the hospital and disinfecting complex evokes stories of those who arrived from faraway shores.

    Not far from here is a story of survival that inspired the Aussie phrase ‘you’ve got Buckley’s chance’. In 1803, escaped convict William Buckley vanished into the bush near what’s now Sorrento. Everyone thought he had no hope of surviving, but he reappeared 32 years later, having lived with local Aboriginal people.

    Even the waters here hold history. The infamous stretch known as The Rip, just three kilometres wide at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, is among the most treacherous waterways. Countless ships were lost here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and in 1967, Australia’s own Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming off the coast, never to be found.

    a seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay
    A seal swimming in Port Phillip Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    But for all its danger, the sea here also holds extraordinary beauty. Dolphins are often seen near Sorrento’s cliffs, while below the surface, seagrass meadows and rocky reefs teem with life. Marine tours offer a viewing to this underwater wonderland, while back on terra firma, walking trails lead along beaches, through coastal scrub, and over rock pools.

    And if you think you’ll forget about the Mornington Peninsula once you’ve left? You’ve got Buckley’s chance.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the suite interior at InterContinental Sorrento
    Luxury interiors at the historic InterContinental Sorrento. (Image: Greg Elms)

    Point Nepean Discovery Tents is immersive glamping beside the historic Quarantine Station. Or upgrade to luxury at the 1875-built InterContinental Sorrento .

    Playing there

    an aerial view of Cape Schanck Lighthouse
    Make your way to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    Bayplay Adventure Tours offer eco-adventures from snorkelling with sea dragons to kayaking with dolphins and cycling Point Nepean. Cape Schanck Lighthouse is fascinating to explore on a guided tour, which takes you into the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage.

    Eating there

    Portsea Hotel is a beautifully restored 1876 Tudor-style pub right on the beach, serving seasonal local fare.