17 Of The Coolest Motels For Your Great Australia Road Trip

Pastel pink reigns supreme at this adorable retro motel nestled along the iconic Gold Coast Highway at Palm Beach. It's described as having "vintage vibe, modern mentality" which means it's got things like solar power, filtered water so you can ditch the plastic and refill your bottle, and reclaimed vintage decorations in your room.

Having undergone a serious glow-up in recent years (where a lot of materials were upcycled from the original building) this Australian motel is now so cute it's available for photoshoots. Pack your bathers because the beach is on your doorstep, and there's a tempting palm-fringed magnesium pool on site for an afternoon dip. Fancy finding all the fun? There's bars and cafe galore within a five-minute wander.

Need a spot where you can bring the dog? Look no further than this seriously cute Australian motel. The Brunswick is a gentle stroll into the centre of Brunswick Heads and the doggo will love the riverside walk that offers a heap of sandy spots for a splash about.

Pet-owners are given stylish rooms with easy access to a big grassy spot for playtime, plus you get plush dog beds, a doggy blanket and gorgeous ceramic bowls in your room to use come dinner time. The best bit? This hotel has a big outdoor pool for morning dips and a relaxed poolside bar (we’re claiming the egg chair) where you and the fluffy one can chill for hours, cocktail in hand.

Described as a "fresh take on the classic motel" HotelMOTEL is looking pretty schmick after undergoing an extensive reno. Open 24 hours a day and right in the heart of the South Terrace Precinct, just 15 minutes from Adelaide Airport, this place has 61 rooms featuring all the best luxuries you'd expect from an Australian hotel (oh hello mini bar and espresso machine with complimentary pods).

Roll on up and you'll find rooms with matte black finishes and navy and terracotta accents, all with smart TVs so you can Netflix and chill. Need a feed? There's two restaurants and bars next door (one with a pool btw) and your motel is right opposite Adelaide Park for that post-lunch stroll.

What was once a classic 80s beachside motel is now The Sunseeker—a 22-room hotel set on 1.5 acres of tropical garden on the edge of Byron Bay. There's rooms for all types of traveller here: the Traditional Room, with an open-plan layout and balcony or pation; the Sunseeker Room offering a touch more space and a generous living area, and the Family Room which is ideal for small groups thanks to its two closeable bedrooms.

But the rooms are just the half of it. Book a stay here and you'll find yourself getting deep into the 100-strong book library (specifically curated by Lora Ward of Good Publishings), indulging in a  caffeine fix from the dedicated coffee cart and most certainly kicking back on the plush daybeds beside the kidney-shaped mineral pool, with a cocktail in hand of course. 

Roll on up, follow the neon sign and get into the groove of a delightfully refurbed 1960s Australian beachside motel. The locally-run Cheshire Cat offers six queen rooms and a two-bed apartment from which you can slide on your thongs and click-clack your way to the sands of Palm Beach. 

The vibe inside this motel is lo-fi luxe: think pops of colour and retro-inspired styling. Outside, there’s an inviting communal courtyard with a rain shower for sunny days, plus you’re gonna want to experience Le Plunge—the shared plunge pool and deck which is available to all in-house guests.

A real motel in every sense of the word, Riverfront Motel and Restaurant is located on the Derwent River and pretty much just around the corner from MONA. It offers basic motel rooms as well as Riverview rooms which open up on to the banks of the Derwent, plus self-contained villas, and even a five-bedroom home called the "Mansion" if you've got a whole crew to accommodate.

Hire a bike on site for just $15 per day and trundle your way into Hobart on the Intercity Cycleway, which follows the river right into the CBD. By the time you've rolled back to base, you're going to want to make use of the outdoor solar heated lap pool or head to the waterfront barbecue area to get those burgers sizzling. There's a half tennis court to whack a ball about on later once (or if) your energy returns and you can grab dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Like your holidays with a hint of nostalgia? You're in luck. The La Costa Beachside Motel was built back in the 1950s and these days offers ten retro-inspired rooms in a prime location. It's also got super cute vintage bicycles you can take along the tree-lined boardwalk if a coffee at one of the the cafes in Kirra, Coolangatta or Tugan calls.

Bring your bathers because the beach is just 50m away at the end of the street and the surf club is an easy 10-minute stroll away for post-dip drinks. We love that this motel also has a convenient self check-in system so if your flight gets in late there's no hassle at all.

Propped up in the heart of Victoria’s Bendigo, a five-minute stroll from the centre, Oval Motel prides itself on taking up some prime real estate. Run by the legendary Carolyn and Gary, this motel has a longstanding history and a rep nothing short of amazing.

Hot and powerful showers come as standard, as do crisp, clean sheets and electric blankets in winter. Fancy a sneaky vino while you tuck into a TV sesh? We love how you can SMS your order and room number to the peeps at this place and your drinks will be delivered within 15 minutes! Prefer to get out and about? You're a five-minute toddle to the award-winning Harvest Cafe for brekkie and brunch, and just seven from The Old Boundary Hotel where a steak dinner beckons.

Set on an acre of landscaped gardens and just 100 metres from the lapping waters of Tin Can Bay, the Tin Can Bay Motel is your gateway to Queensland’s Cooloola Coast. Bring your 4WD or boat as there’s plenty of space, and you can be driving across the sands of nearby Rainbow Beach in no time. 

Pop out to the motel’s outdoor swimming pool and enjoy a dip before chucking some snags on to sizzle in the barbecue area. If you’d like to explore closer to home, there’s Fraser Island tours and surf lessons on your doorstep and the motel’s tour desk can arrange dolphin feeding too. There’s also the option to do a spot of bird-watching by following the signs along the 4km Tim Can Bay Foreshore Bird Walk.

Look, there aren’t many Australian motels that hit quite like The Sails does. This lush Brunswick Heads stay, 15 minutes north of Byron Bay, offers up 22 separate rooms in a Palm Springs-inspired setting which may or may not (read: it will) make you feel like you’ve jetted across the world to Coachella.

The rooms are simple but charming: think modern terrazzo bathrooms, cosy spaces and all the essentials for a perfect getaway (did we mention the on-site hairdresser?). Hit the snooze button before heading out for a morning dip in the temptingly blue outdoor pool. There's cute white white sun chairs and striped brollies to lounge on afterwards with a good book. The poolside fun doesn't stop there either. Later in the day, you'll find the pool club stocked with all the vino, and the popular Saint Maries pizzeria and wine bar is literally at the front door.

It’s hard to believe 10 Hastings Street is actually a motel (the beautifully adorned suites and beachfront dining situation would have you think it’s a hotel no doubt). Holding several studio rooms and a couple of bigger bedroom apartments, this intimate spot sprawls out to give you unparalleled views of Noosa’s Main Beach.

The cafe here is also a local haunt with an outdoor terrace and beach indoor area (dog-friendly provided Fido is on a leash) which plates up plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free feeds. If you’re here for breakfast, the sour cherry fruit loaf toasted with local honey, fresh berries and whipped Meredith’s goat’s cheese is a vibe.

Got your mind set on a Tropical North Queensland road trip but don’t want to break the bank? Plan that route, pack the bags and book a stay at the Port Douglas Motel along the way. This cute and colourful family-owned Australian motel is just 50 metres from buzzing Macrossan Street where all the fun stuff happens, and you’re just a five-minute toddle from the patrolled section of Four Mile Beach too.

Each room here has its own kitchenette, which is pretty handy, as well as a 42-inch flatscreen smart TV. But why would you want to stay indoors when there’s a tempting outdoor saltwater pool to dip in, and sunloungers where you can take a load off with a good book? Chuck in the communal outdoor kitchen and barbecue area for sunset feasts and you’re all set for the best stay.

Described as "Cairns' most unique motel accommodation", Motel Nomad takes your typical idea of a “roadside motel” to an entirely new level. While this building was put together over 30 years ago, today it stands with a fresh new refurb and with over 50 suites, studios and apartments.

The motel, which takes its design from the quintessential Queenslander home (raised and with a wraparound verandah) is surrounded by palm trees which gives it mega resort vibes, and it's decked out in festoon lights and features a backyard pool loaded with all the inflatables you could imagine. Bliss!

Comfortable, dog-friendly and with stunning views of Bermagui Harbour and Fisherman's Co-op, Harbourview House is one of the best bases from which to explore the NSW South Coast. This Australian motel offers suites as well as a spacious three-bedroom apartment, with a balcony which looks out over the water.

Book a room in the motel and you’ll get a flat-screen cable TV, DVD player and kitchenette with a microwave, plus ground floor rooms have a private courtyard with lovely garden views. The town centre is just 500m away, and you can be at Bermagui Country Club in just two minutes—handy because it’s got an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and lawn bowls to play. Yay!

How about a motel where you get a complimentary cooked or continental brekkie served daily to your suite? Bring on the poached eggs and bacon we say, and book a stay at Beechworth On Bridge. 

This Australian motel sits just a two-minute drive from the centre of town in a lovely garden setting and it’s got a solar-heated swimming pool for leisurely afternoon dips. Not that we reckon you’ll have much time for lazy days poolside, as Beechworth is smack bang in vino country with a whole heap of cellar doors just calling out for a wine tasting sesh.

Fancy basing yourself within shuffling distance of one of Australia’s best beaches? Now’s your chance. The Beach St Motel is a literal one-minute walk from Woolgoolga Beach, which was named one of the top two beaches in Australia by Tourism NSW in 2025. 

Inside your home away from home expect stylish furnishings, statement wallpaper, sea views and private kitchenettes. You’re a short walk from cafes and boutiques here so getting that morning coffee fix won’t be an issue and if a spot of sightseeing beckons, you can always make your way to the iconic Big Banana, just 22km away.

Ok, she's not technically a motel, but the Indian Ocean Hotel deserves an honourable mention because she sports some serious retro vibes that mirror the DNA of every great motel ever.

This hotel was built back in 1968 as part of the White Sands Hotel (yep, like the famous Sands Hotel in Las Vegas). It also banks up some great music stories from the 70s when it was used as a place for bands to stay including the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. With its epic fitout, you’ll catch everything from faded hotel signs, arcade games, heavy brickwork, glowing pool lights, carpet floors and disco balls (and yes, of course, there's free parking on site).